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
05 November 2023
Can Autism be confused with schizophrenia?
The term autism was first used by the Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler in 1919 to describe a withdrawal from reality with a pathological predominance of inner...
05 November 2023
Autism over the age of 50
As clinicians, we have seen an increasing number of adults, and especially women, over the age of 50 seeking confirmation of autism in their developmental history and current...
16 August 2023
Autism and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Researchers and clinicians in the autism area have known about the association between hypermobility and autism for a long time, and hypermobility is one common symptom...
Tony's Facebook Feed
Autism and Christmas ![]()
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Christmas, a season filled with joy and family gatherings, can be overwhelming and exhausting for autistic individuals and their families. This period demands a deeper understanding of autism, including social norms, sensory processing, and adapting to change and uncertainty.![]()
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Social Expectations and Autism![]()
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The social dynamics of Christmas celebrations, such as interacting with extended family and participating in gift exchanges, can be complex for some autistic people. Carol Gray's Social Stories are particularly helpful, offering guidance on these social conventions with themes like understanding the importance of gifts and managing expectations around them.![]()
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Parents often adapt Christmas traditions to accommodate their autistic children's needs. For instance, allowing the child to select their main gift in advance can reduce anxiety related to surprises, as highlighted by a tip from the National Autistic Society.![]()
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Strategies for Christmas Social Events:![]()
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• Clearly outlining the day's schedule and attendees.![]()
• Arriving and leaving early to manage stress.![]()
• Providing a quiet space for breaks.![]()
• Educating family members on autism's challenges, including sensory sensitivities and the need for personal space.![]()
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Sensory Considerations:![]()
The sensory aspects of Christmas, like flashing lights and loud noises, can be overwhelming for some autistic individuals. Adjusting these elements and being mindful of food choices can make the experience more comfortable.![]()
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Adapting to Change:![]()
Autistic individuals may find the changes in their environment during Christmas, like decorations and rearranged furniture, distressing. Advance notice and reassurance help ease these transitions or reduce the number of decorations to one section of the house.![]()
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Parent's Perspective:![]()
Parents of autistic children often face stress balancing their child's needs with social obligations. Support from other family members can alleviate this burden, allowing parents to enjoy the festivities.![]()
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Autistic Adults and Christmas:![]()
Autistic adults may face different challenges, such as navigating work Christmas parties. Understanding the event's schedule and having a supportive colleague can aid in their participation.![]()
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Conclusion:![]()
Preparation and understanding can significantly reduce stress for autistic individuals during Christmas, aiding in their successful engagement and creating happy memories for everyone.![]()
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Join Attwood and Garnett Events to gain a deeper and more personal understanding of autism, drawing from Michelle's AuDHD experiences and our 80 years of clinical expertise. Our website also features insightful blogs and valuable resources, supplementing the knowledge shared at our events. ![]()
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www.attwoodandgarnettevents.com ![]()
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#ActuallyAutistic #autism #autistic #autismawareness #autismacceptance #autismspectrum #psychologist #psychology #alliedhealthprofessionals #teachers #psychiatry #InclusiveHealthcare #inclusivesociety #blogwednesday
Research Tuesday: Mother’s participation in family gatherings and social events with their children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A scoping review![]()
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A scoping review was used to explore the available literature and studies describing mothers’ experiences of family gatherings and social events with their autistic child. The analysis of eight studies resulted in one central theme – negative experiences despite strategies. ![]()
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The findings reveal that these mothers often face heightened levels of isolation and stress compared to parents of non-autistic children. This was reported as primarily due to the unique behaviours exhibited by autistic children in social settings. Mothers frequently find themselves prioritising their child's needs over their own personal satisfaction at these events. Participating in social events can be stressful and create anxiety due to social stigma, lack of social support during the gathering and the autistic child’s, at times, unpredictable behaviours. A consequence can be declining invitations to family gatherings, thus furthering their sense of isolation.![]()
Strategies for preparing, organising and planning these events can also cause stress and anxiety and may not ensure an absence of behaviours that disrupt the family gathering. Mothers will also be aware that family members may perceive them as personally responsible for their autistic child’s behaviour and their parenting strategies openly criticised. They may feel constantly ‘on duty’ and must act as a social intermediary, being unable to relax and enjoy the family reunion as much as other family members. They would greatly benefit from family members sharing the monitoring and supervision, highlighting a crucial need for familial understanding and support.![]()
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Reference:![]()
Moorthy, S., Carlstedt, A. and Fischl, L. (2023) Mother’s participation in family gatherings and social events with their children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A scoping review. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal 70, 500-513. DOI: 10.1111/1440-1630.12876 ![]()
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#actuallyautistic #autism #autistic #autismawareness #autismacceptance #autismspectrum #psychologist #psychology #alliedhealthprofessionals #teachers #psychiatry #InclusiveHealthcare #InclusiveSociety #ResearchTuesday
Quote from the National Autistic Society Christmas tips: “Last year my son chose his own main present and checked it was right when it arrived, then it was wrapped. He felt better knowing his present was right, and it wouldn’t be a surprise, so started the day calm”. ![]()
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One of the characteristics of autism is anxiety associated with uncertainty and not liking surprises. Parents of autistic children may adjust the present opening activity to avoid surprises and ensure there is happiness rather than disappointment when the present is opened. ![]()
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#actuallyautistic #autism #autistic #autismawareness #autismacceptance #autismspectrum #psychologist #psychology #alliedhealthprofessionals #teachers #psychiatry #InclusiveHealthcare #InclusiveSociety #QuoteMonday