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.
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Regular podcasts in conversation with autismhangout.com founder/reporter Craig Evans > More Info
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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
13 April 2023
Internet gaming and Autism
The parents of autistic teenagers and young adults are increasingly worried about how much time their son or daughter spends on Internet gaming. However, the autistic person...
13 April 2023
Autism and bullying: new developments in research and support
Why are autistic students so frequently the victims of bullying? From our extensive clinical experience, the answer is that they are perceived...
13 April 2023
The Dating Game and Autistic Adolescents
Typical teenagers are usually enthusiastic about going beyond friendship and experiencing the dating game. They are exploring their new sexual awareness, who they...
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Repetitive questions and phrases bear intricate significance for autistic individuals, representing diverse motivations. They bridge inner thoughts and the world, ease anxiety, aid sensory exploration and memory, and offer avenues for self-expression. Anchoring transitions, fostering social reciprocity, and serving as emotional cues, understanding these motivations provides a deeper understanding and meaningful support in the diverse spectrum of autistic experiences.Repetitive Questions and Phrases: Their Value in Autism.![]()
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As caregivers, educators, or loved ones, it's natural to sometimes feel frustration when faced with constant repetition. Yet, empathy shines light on the reasons behind these actions. By considering the emotions and struggles an autistic individual might be grappling with, we step into a realm of profound understanding. ![]()
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The use of repetitive language, characterised by the repetition of questions and phrases, carries a profound significance for many autistic individuals. Beyond its apparent repetition, this behaviour serves as a multifunctional tool that encompasses a spectrum of motivations and benefits. From fostering connections and easing anxiety to facilitating sensory exploration and memory reinforcement, these repetitions offer unique insights into the rich and varied experiences of autistic people. By delving into the layers of meaning behind these repetitions, we gain a deeper understanding of their world and open avenues for more empathetic and effective support.![]()
1. Connecting through Repetition:![]()
For some autistic individuals, the repeated use of words and phrases is a powerful tool to establish connections and develop communication skills. It signifies their fervent desire to bridge the gap between their inner thoughts and the external world. By iteratively voicing certain words or phrases, they strive to forge meaningful connections with those around them, gradually honing their communication skills.![]()
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2. Coping with Anxiety:![]()
Another facet of repetitive language lies in its potential to alleviate anxiety in certain autistic individuals. The act of repetitively asking questions or voicing favoured phrases provides a soothing predictability within their environment. This predictable cycle becomes an anchor that steadies their world, offering comfort and relief from the overwhelming nature of anxiety.![]()
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3. Sensory Exploration and Comfort:![]()
Repetition can also serve as a form of sensory exploration and comfort. The act of vocalizing certain words or phrases offers a tactile, auditory, and rhythmic experience that autistic individuals find soothing or stimulating. This sensory feedback loop aids in emotion regulation and contributes to their overall sense of well-being.![]()
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4. Memory Reinforcement:![]()
Repetition plays a pivotal role in memory reinforcement. Some autistic individuals use repetition to solidify their understanding of concepts or information. This practice enhances their ability to retain important information and reinforces cognitive connections, aligning with their cognitive strengths.![]()
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5. Self-Expression and Self-Identity:![]()
Repetition can also be a mode of self-expression and self-identity. Certain words or phrases might hold personal significance, and their repetition serves as a way to assert individuality or convey preferences. This unique communication style enables them to express feelings, thoughts, or interests that might otherwise remain unspoken.![]()
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6. Anchoring in Transition and Change:![]()
Change can be particularly challenging for many autistic individuals due to the importance of routine. Repetitive questions and phrases act as a stabilizing force during transitions, offering a sense of continuity in times of change. Familiar words become an anchor, helping them navigate new situations with a comforting touch of familiarity.![]()
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7. Social Reciprocity:![]()
Repetitive questions and phrases can foster social reciprocity. By focusing on a preferred topic of conversation, autistic individuals invite others to engage in shared experiences. These repetitions encourage a mutual exchange of thoughts and ideas, cultivating a sense of connection and shared understanding.![]()
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8. Communication of Emotions:![]()
Repetition can also serve as a non-verbal communication of emotions. By repeating certain phrases, autistic individuals might be attempting to convey their emotional states. Recognising these repetitions as emotional cues deepens our understanding of their emotional world and facilitates more nuanced interactions.![]()
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Understanding the motivation behind these repetitions is crucial, as it opens doors to meaningful interactions.![]()
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When an autistic individual finds joy in repeating words or phrases, it's an opportunity to share in their unique experience. Taking the time to appreciate the cadence of their voice and the rhythm of their chosen expressions can create a bridge of connection that fosters a sense of togetherness.![]()
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For those wrestling with anxiety, repetition serves as a lifeline. Answering the same question repeatedly may seem redundant, but for them, it's an affirmation that their world is stable and consistent. This simple act of reassurance can be transformative, helping them navigate a world that often feels chaotic.![]()
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Anxiety's grip on the behaviours, thoughts, and emotions of some autistic individuals cannot be underestimated. The difficulty they encounter in expressing themselves underscores the urgency of our role in creating a supportive environment. Beyond knowledge, it's our patience and time that prove most instrumental in fostering growth and confidence.![]()
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In essence, the repetitive questions and phrases that echo in the lives of autistic individuals aren't merely echoes; they are threads that weave intricate connections, build bridges of stability, and form lifelines of reassurance. Our capacity to recognize, appreciate, and respond to these repetitions opens the door to a world where understanding thrives, empathy flourishes, and meaningful connections endure.![]()
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** It's important to note that the motivations and experiences related to repetitive questions and phrases may vary significantly among different autistic individuals, and this list may not encompass all possible perspectives and motivations **![]()
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attwoodandgarnettevents.com/![]()
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"Autism Plus: Embracing Authenticity Amid Mental Health"![]()
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"Autism Plus" describes the experience of being autistic while also facing additional challenges, such as anxiety and/or mood disorders, insomnia, learning or speech disorders, and eating or addictive disorders, among others. It's important to note that autism itself is not a mental health condition, but many autistic individuals may also experience mental health conditions, and these are the "plus" factors. ![]()
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The list of conditions that can accompany autism may seem overwhelming at first. In our clinical practice, it is a rare occurrence to encounter an autistic individual without a condition or two that requires attention, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety and/or mood disorders, insomnia, learning or speech disorders, and eating or addictive disorders, among others. While it's essential to clarify that we, as clinical psychologists, do NOT treat autism itself, we do address the psychological consequences of living in a community that often lacks an understanding of autism. Additionally, we provide treatment for conditions that are genetically or epigenetically linked to autism, where both genetic predisposition and environmental triggers play a role in their onset.![]()
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Fairness![]()
Fairness is a concept of great significance to many autistic individuals, along with social justice. However, it is important to clarify that the extensive range of conditions that can accompany autism is not a matter of fairness. If fairness were to be considered, it would be evident that autism alone poses numerous challenges, such as navigating a community that often lacks understanding and accommodation for autism, coping with sensory difficulties that can be painful and lead to heightened vigilance on a daily basis, and facing struggles with executive functioning. While acknowledging the feeling of "not fair" in response to receiving multiple diagnoses beyond autism is valid, dwelling on this notion can lead to a sense of victimization and disempowerment, regardless of its truth.![]()
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In our clinical practice, as we delve into the strengths and challenges of autistic individuals in understanding their authentic selves, it becomes evident that the list of strengths usually outweighs the list of challenges. Being autistic entails both gifts and difficulties, and the resilience, inner strength, tenacity, and perseverance often characteristic of autism can help them confront their challenges.![]()
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Being autistic and having additional diagnoses is not a matter of fairness; rather, it is related to neurology and genetics. For instance, anxiety, mood, and autoimmune disorders have genetic links to autism. Moreover, research indicates connectivity differences in the neural networks of the frontal lobes in the brains of autistic individuals, as well as those with ADHD and sensory processing disorder. Differences in frontal lobe functioning likely account for the occurrence of these commonly diagnosed conditions.![]()
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In conclusion, it is crucial to recognise the significance of fairness to many autistic individuals, as well as the complex challenges they may face due to their neurology and genetics. While the presence of various conditions with autism may elicit feelings of unfairness, it is important not to dwell on victimization and disempowerment. Instead, we should focus on understanding the strengths and gifts that come with being autistic, which often outweigh the challenges. By acknowledging and harnessing their resilience, inner strength, and perseverance, autistic individuals can navigate their unique journey with greater confidence and self-acceptance. Moreover, as we continue to gain insights into the links between autism and other diagnoses, we can foster a more empathetic and supportive society that embraces diversity and promotes inclusion for all individuals, regardless of their neurodevelopmental profiles. We need a world where fairness extends to understanding, acceptance, and empowerment for every individual, enabling them to thrive in their own authentic selves.![]()
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attwoodandgarnettevents.com/![]()
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#autism #autistic #autismawareness #autismacceptance #autismfamily #autismspectrum #autismparents #NDIS #attwoodandgarnettevents #psychologist #psychology #alliedhealth #alliedhealthprofessionals #mentalhealth #depressionandanxiety #mentalhealthawareness #teachers #specialeducator #specialeducation #specialeducationalneeds #specialeducationteacher #psychiatry #EmpoweringAutisticIndividuals #InclusiveHealthcare #SupportingCommunication #PDA
I am glad to embrace this way of thinking about autism and the presence of mental health conditions through the term 'Autism Plus.' It allows us to recognise autism as an integral part of one's identity and not a mental health condition while acknowledging the coexistence of other factors, leading to a more inclusive and empathetic perspective on individuals' diverse experiences. In the coming days, we'll be discussing practical tips on handling the 'plus' diagnoses.
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