Autistic spectrum disorders are life-long complex disorders that typically present in the first 3 years of life. This article focuses on promoting awareness of early signs and symptoms, as familiarity with them can facilitate timely recognition and referral of the child for expert management. Caring for an autistic child has a significant psychological impact on the well-being of parents and family, and the GP can be key in coordinating care, particularly at the time of transition from paediatric to adult services.