Welcome to Tony Attwood's Website
A guide for parents, professionals and people with Asperger's Syndrome or Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 1 and their partners.
Ask Dr. Tony Webcasts
Regular podcasts in conversation with autismhangout.com founder/reporter Craig Evans > More Info
Participate in Research
Read about research projects that are seeking participation and find out how to get involved > More Info
to be one of the world’s foremost experts on
Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Upcoming Events
Books by Tony Attwood
Tony has published many books about Asperger's Syndrome and Autism.
He has also co-authored and contributed to publications with other experts.
He has also co-authored and contributed to publications with other experts.
New Release Out Now
Autism Working:
A Seven-Stage Plan to Thriving at Work
By Tony Attwood and Michelle Garnett
Tony Attwood, Michelle Garnett, Julia Cook, Louise Ford, and Stefanie Runham
Attwood & Garnett Events
FOUNDED BY PROFESSOR TONY ATTWOOD & DR MICHELLE GARNETT
Dr Michelle Garnett PhD is a clinical psychologist who has specialised in autism within her own private practice for over 27 years. She has co-authored six highly regarded books on autism, five with Prof Tony Attwood. Her 2018 book with Barb Cook is a seminal work on the female presentation, Spectrum Women: Walking to the Beat of Autism. Her most recent books Having Fun with Feelings on the Autism Spectrum and Ten Steps to Reducing Your Child’s Anxiety on the Autism Spectrum provide guidance to parents of young children on the autism spectrum.
Together Tony and Michelle have created a series of online courses that are available to download. There are also webinars consisting of a series of mater classes.
Recent Articles by Tony
25 September 2024
The Latest Research on Autism plus ADHD
In our extensive clinical experience, we often recognise the signs of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in autistic children and adults. A recent research...
25 September 2024
Sensory Sensitivity and Autism
Hyper- or hypo reactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of the environment is a core diagnostic criterion for autism (APA, 2022). Sensory sensitivity...
25 September 2024
Autistic ‘Stimming’ Behaviour
According to DSM-5 TR (APA 2022), one of the diagnostic criteria (B1) for Autism Spectrum Disorder is stereotyped or repetitive motor movements such as hand flapping and finger...
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Autism and Adolescence: The Way I See It: What Teens and Adults Need to Know Audible Logo Audible Audiobook – Unabridged ![]()
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Temple Grandin (Author), Jennifer Groberg (Narrator), Future Horizons (Publisher) ![]()
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Dr Temple Grandin is autistic, a world expert on autism, and an accomplished author, speaker and thinker. In this audiobook (5.5 hours), she covers many important topics for navigating adolescence, including: ![]()
1. Strategies for non-verbal teens ![]()
2. Autism and driving ![]()
3. Preparing for college ![]()
4. Acquiring social skills ![]()
5. Developing talents ![]()
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The book is helpful due to Temple’s practical approach, lived experience and knowledge of the research. She argues that autistic teenagers must focus on their overlooked strengths to foster their unique contributions to the world. ![]()
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Learn more about support autistic teens:![]()
On Friday 17th January 2025, Tony and I will be presenting Day 2 of our Masterclass on Autistic Teenagers, with a focus on helping them to manage distressing levels of anxiety, and other challenges commonly experienced by autistic teenagers. The full day will be webcast live from London, so the timing will suit best for people in the Northern hemisphere, but participants will have 60 days to access the event. ![]()
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attwoodandgarnettevents.com/product/webcast-event-and-live-in-london-masterclass-day-2-support-an...![]()
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#actuallyautistic #autism #autistic #autismawareness #autismacceptance #autismspectrum #psychologist #psychology #alliedhealthprofessionals #teachers #psychiatry #InclusiveHealthcare #InclusiveSociety #ReseourceFriday
I am so excited today to receive my copy of Kathy Hoopman‘s new book, All About PDA. Kathy wrote this book so that people would understand PDA, and know that PDAers are amazing people who help us to reevaluate our philosophies and our approaches to life. As with all Kathy ‘s books, she simply and insightfully explains the experiences of neuro divergent people. Thank you so much for writing this bookKathy! I know that many people will benefit.❤️
Love, joy, and a lens of childhood trauma: Exploring factors that impact the mental health and well-being of autistic parents - Research Summary![]()
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Why is this research important? ![]()
This study explored the mental health and well-being of autistic parents, an area of research that has been largely neglected. Autistic adults who are also parents often face unique challenges, including navigating their own sensory needs and past trauma while raising children. Understanding their experiences is key to providing better support. ![]()
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What did the researchers do? ![]()
Researchers conducted in-depth interviews with nine autistic parents to learn about the factors impacting their mental health. The study focused on whether their own childhood trauma affected their parenting and how external factors like professional support shaped their experiences. The analysis aimed to highlight both the positive and negative aspects of their journeys as parents. ![]()
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What did they find? ![]()
Autistic parents in the study shared deeply emotional and complex experiences. On the positive side, many parents described their children as sources of immense love, joy, and personal growth. They spoke of intense, intuitive connections with their children, particularly when both parent and child were autistic. As one parent expressed, “I enjoy the feeling of pride as I watch them grow and learn... I enjoy their unconditional love” (Maggie). The ability to understand their child’s unique needs created a special bond, making them feel more capable and fulfilled in their roles as parents. ![]()
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However, the challenges were also significant. Many parents experienced extreme empathy, which made it emotionally draining to watch their children struggle, especially when it mirrored their own painful childhood experiences. “When you see your child getting bullied, it kind of hits home harder, because you were bullied for the same things... it can be draining because it’s constantly... replaying how that feels” (Rick). Sensory overload was a common issue, as the chaos of parenting made it difficult to maintain personal coping strategies. The loss of control over their environment often led to feelings of burnout, frustration, and shame, impacting relationships with partners and family members. One parent noted, “This has resulted in near constant sensory overload and processing overwhelm... My home no longer provides the respite and sanctuary it always did before children” (Maggie). ![]()
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Interactions with professionals were another major source of stress. Parents felt that many schools and healthcare workers lacked understanding of autism, leading to misunderstandings and inadequate support. This not only heightened anxiety but also left some parents afraid to disclose their own autism diagnoses out of fear of judgment. ![]()
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Take home message ![]()
This research is rich with detail on both the joys and struggles faced by autistic parents. It shows the importance of providing trauma-informed care and autism-aware support for these families. The study emphasises that while autistic parents have incredible strengths, such as deep empathy and connection with their children, they also need better systems in place to address burnout, sensory overload, and inadequate professional support. ![]()
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Smit, S., & Hopper, J. (2023). Love, joy, and a lens of childhood trauma: Exploring factors that impact the mental health and well-being of autistic parents via iterative phenomenological analysis. Autism in Adulthood, 5(1), 63-75. doi.org/10.1089/aut.2021.0101 ![]()
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Next Steps to Understanding Autism in the Family![]()
Friday 15th November 2024 - 9:30am - 4:00pm Brisbane Time - Check for Daylight saving!![]()
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This course aims to help participants understand how autism may impact family dynamics and develop strategies for addressing these. The goal is to ultimately create a neurodiversity-affirming family environment within which all members can thrive. It is a full-day event, fully recorded, and available for 60 days. ![]()
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attwoodandgarnettevents.com/product/webcast-event-autism-in-the-family-15-november-2024/![]()
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#actuallyautistic #autism #autistic #autismawareness #autismacceptance #autismspectrum #psychologist #psychology #alliedhealthprofessionals #teachers #psychiatry #InclusiveHealthcare #InclusiveSociety #ResearchTuesday #LivedExperience