autism

hello my name is terry and i have a grand daughter name hazel rose she is 3 yrs old and she has autism.   i've been trying to do some research about this disease... i finally realize that i need someone to talk to that has a child with this disease. i'm hoping that someone can give me some advise how to help hazel and also advise that i can pass to my daughter... i sit back and watch what its doing to her.  i think i was in denial until i went to a doctors appointment and she had a fit.. well i walk hazel back to the car while my daughter talked to the doctor and i looked in hazels eyes and it was like she was not there.  thats weird because i see her all the time and she see me and she runs and gives me hugs she smile when i walk in the room not to mention that we play and she giggles and has fun. it would really help me to understand more about this if someone else that has an autistic child can give me some insight.....