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I have had the pleasure of reading Dr. Tony Attwood’s work since the beginning of my career, and it was a distinct privilege to sit down with him to discuss his fifty-five years of clinical experience. We discuss the transition from early work to our current neurodevelopmental framework, highlighting the critical shift in recognizing the female autism phenotype. Dr. Attwood provides deep insight into the internal experience of camouflaging and explains his pragmatic approach to preventing burnout using the energy accounting model. Our conversation also addresses the stark gaps in current research, specifically regarding non-speaking individuals and the unique challenges faced by the aging autistic population.
Main Topics
- The evolution of autism awareness and clinical experience since 1971
- Moving away from the refrigerator mother myth to neurodevelopmental genetics
- The shifting prevalence and male to female ratio in autism
- Recognizing the female autism phenotype and the toll of camouflaging
- Reconceptualizing diagnosis as a process of self-discovery and closure
- Identifying critical research gaps in sensory sensitivity and non-speaking autism
- The challenges and outcomes of aging with autism and the role of support networks
- Strategies for managing autistic burnout through the energy accounting model
Cool Things Mentioned
- Craft: the premier membership community for testing psychologists
- Crafted Practice: the only in-person business retreat for testing psychologists
- Reverb: the premier AI-powered report-writing platform for testing psychologists
- Attwood and Garnet Events: www.attwoodandgarnettevents.com
- Asperger’s Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals: www.amazon.com/Aspergers-Syndrome-Parents-Professionals-Attwood/dp/1853025771
- The Complete Guide to Asperger’s Syndrome: www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide-Aspergers-Syndrome-Attwood/dp/1843106692
- CDC Autism Prevalence Report (2023): www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/ss/ss7202a1.htm
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About Dr. Tony Attwood
Professor Tony Attwood is a leading British clinical psychologist and one of the world’s foremost authorities on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), particularly Asperger’s syndrome. With a career spanning over five decades, he is highly celebrated for his pioneering research, therapeutic strategies, and advocacy for neurodiversity.
About Dr. Jeremy Sharp
I’m a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice that I founded in 2009 and have grown to over 20 clinicians. I earned my undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting my Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. These days, I specialize in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation with kids and adolescents.
As the host of the Testing Psychologist Podcast, I provide private practice consulting for psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to start or grow psychological testing services in their practices. I live in Fort Collins, Colorado with my wife (also a therapist) and two young kids.
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