What I am reading
My interest lies at the intersection between Attention, Emotional Regulation, Sensory Processing, Human Behavior & Mindfulness. This list was curated based off of what that I have found illumiating, interesting or thought provoking. I have read everything on this list, I agree with a lot of it, but disagree with some of it. All of it has made me pause and think.
These are a few of the (mostly autistic) voices that helped shaped my new understanding of autism, the nervous system and the science of behavior:
Recommended Books
If I had to pick a starting point, this is it. Autism is beautifully presented s a unique way of being human.
When we are dysregulated—emotionally or physically—that we cannot learn, or often even listen.
Before we can shape behavior or build regulation skills, we must first ask a fundamental question: does the nervous system feel safe?
Recommended Online Resources
A great starting point for understanding autism
A list of neurodiversity affirming therapists
Everything about Monotropism.
A great resource for understanding autism
Kieran Rose's blog
A great resource about interoception
Neurodiversity-Affirming Support To Help Autistic People Thrive And Grow
A great blog! I can't wait for her book to come out.
Autism self-advocacy organization in Australia & NewZealand
Mutual Aid and Human-Centered Learning for Neurodivergent and Disabled People
Autism + EMDR in the UK (Is anyone focused on this in the US?)
The amazing resource on school refusal that I wish I had found a decade ago.
PDA + Monotropism
Recommended Scientific literature
What should I read next?
Full Reference List
Attention, Monotropism and the Diagnostic Criteria for Autism
Examination of attention patterns and monotropic thinking in autism.
Sensory Clusters of Toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Study identifying distinct sensory processing patterns in toddlers with autism and their relationship to behavioral outcomes.
Neuron Number and Size in Prefrontal Cortex of Children With Autism
Detailed postmortem analysis revealing 67% more neurons in the prefrontal cortex of autistic children.
Discrepancies between Dimensions of Interoception in Autism
Investigation revealing differences between objective and subjective body awareness in autism.
Salience Network Connectivity in Autism
Study showing altered brain network patterns specifically related to sensory over-responsivity in autism.
Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships
Decoding social mysteries through the unique perspectives of autism.
Atlas of the Heart
Mapping meaningful connection and the language of human experience.
Attention, Monotropism and the Diagnostic Criteria for Autism
Examination of attention patterns and monotropic thinking in autism.
Sensory Clusters of Toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Study identifying distinct sensory processing patterns in toddlers with autism.
Avoiding Ableist Language: Suggestions for Autism Researchers
Guidelines for respectful and accurate language use in autism research.
MYmind: Mindfulness Training for Youngsters with ASD
Mindfulness training program for young people with autism and their parents.
Mindfulness, Stress and Well-Being in Parents of Children with ASD
Systematic review of mindfulness interventions for parents of children with autism.
Emotion Regulation in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Current understanding and future directions in emotion regulation research.
Neuron Number and Size in Prefrontal Cortex of Children With Autism
Analysis of neuronal differences in the prefrontal cortex in autism.
Discrepancies between Dimensions of Interoception in Autism
Investigation of body awareness differences in autism.
Anxiety Disorders and Sensory Over-Responsivity in Children with ASD
Examination of causal relationships between anxiety and sensory processing.
Salience Network Connectivity in Autism
Brain network patterns related to sensory over-responsivity.
Neurobiology of Sensory Overresponsivity in Youth With ASD
Study examining brain responses to sensory stimuli in autism using fMRI.
Over-Reactive Brain Responses to Sensory Stimuli in Youth With ASD
Investigation of neural responses to sensory stimuli using advanced neuroimaging.
Mindfulness for Children and Adults with ASD
Meta-analysis of mindfulness interventions for autism across age groups.
PTSD and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Co-morbidity, gaps in research, and potential shared mechanisms.
Anxiety in Children and Youth with ASD
Association with amygdala subnuclei structure in autism.
Dynamic Adaptation of Large-Scale Brain Networks
Brain network responses to acute stressors.
Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Review
Comprehensive review of current understanding of autism.
Aggression in Children and Adolescents with ASD
Prevalence and risk factors study.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy in Adults with ASD
Long-term effects of mindfulness interventions.
Sensory and Attention Abnormalities in Autistic Spectrum Disorders
Investigation of sensory processing and attention patterns.
The Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Therapy for Anxiety in ASD
Systematic review of mindfulness interventions for anxiety and social skills.
Modeling the Cognitive Mechanisms Linking Autism Symptoms and Anxiety
Examination of cognitive links between autism and anxiety in adults.
The Intense World Syndrome - An Alternative Hypothesis for Autism
Theoretical framework proposing heightened neural processing in autism.
The Intense World Theory
A unifying theory of the neurobiology of autism.
Emotion Dysregulation in Autism: A Meta-Analysis
Comprehensive analysis of emotion regulation challenges in autism.
On the Ontological Status of Autism: The 'Double Empathy Problem'
Analysis of mutual understanding between autistic and non-autistic individuals.
Late Acute Stress Effects on Decision-Making
Effects of stress on decision-making processes.
Atypical Functional Connectivity of the Amygdala
Study of amygdala connectivity during attention to eye-gaze in autism.
ACT-Based Skills Training for Students with ASD
Outcomes of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for students with autism.
Interoceptive Training to Target Anxiety in Autistic Adults
Randomized controlled trial of interoception-based intervention.
Functional Characteristics of Disruptive Behavior in ASD
Analysis of behavioral patterns in developmentally disabled children with and without autism.
Stress, Memory and the Amygdala
Review of amygdala's role in stress response and memory formation.
Neuropsychological and Neuroimaging Research in ASD
Review focusing on attention, inhibition and cognitive flexibility.
Mindfulness-Based RCTs Led to Brain Structural Changes
Meta-analysis of brain changes following mindfulness interventions.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy in Adults with ASD
Randomized controlled trial of mindfulness therapy for adults with autism.
Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents with ASD
Meta-analysis of anxiety prevalence in young people with autism.
Mindfulness Meditation Training and Stress-Related Amygdala
Changes in amygdala connectivity following mindfulness training.
Salience Network Connectivity in 6-Week-Old Infants
Early detection of brain connectivity differences in infants at heightened likelihood for autism.
Salience Network–Based Classification of Symptom Severity
Prediction of symptom severity in children with autism using brain network analysis.
The Human Amygdala and Emotional Evaluation
Review of amygdala's role in processing sensory stimuli and emotions.
Rising Strong
How the ability to reset transforms the way we live, love, parent, and lead.
The Places That Scare You
A guide to fearlessness in difficult times, exploring mindfulness and emotional resilience.
When Things Fall Apart
Heart advice for difficult times, offering wisdom for life's challenging moments.
Low-Demand Parenting
Dropping demands, restoring calm, and finding connection with your uniquely wired child.
Good Morning, I Love You
Mindfulness and self-compassion practices to rewire your brain for calm, clarity, and joy.
The Reason I Jump
The inner voice of a thirteen-year-old boy with autism, offering unique insights into the autistic mind.
The Passionate Mind
How people with autism learn, exploring unique cognitive styles and learning approaches.
Me and Monotropism: A Unified Theory of Autism
Exploration of monotropism as a unified theory for understanding autism.
UCL, Linguistics, and Autism
Discussion of linguistic aspects and monotropic thinking in autism.
Monotropism
Exploration of monotropic attention and thinking styles in autism.
The Body Keeps the Score
Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma, exploring the impact of trauma on the entire organism.
Parent Attitudes towards Predictive Testing for Autism in the First Year of Life
Study examining parental perspectives on early autism testing and prediction.
Highly Logical and Non-Emotional Decisions in Both Risky and Social Contexts
Understanding decision making in autism spectrum disorder through computational modeling.
Surfing the Urge: An Informal Mindfulness Practice
Mindfulness practice for self-management of aggression in adolescents with autism.
Identity Youth and Crisis
Foundational work on identity development and life stages.
Temple Grandin
Biographical film about Temple Grandin, renowned author and autism advocate.
Attention, Monotropism and the Diagnostic Criteria for Autism
Examination of attention patterns and monotropic thinking in autism.
Sensory Clusters of Toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Study identifying distinct sensory processing patterns in toddlers with autism and their relationship to behavioral outcomes.
Neuron Number and Size in Prefrontal Cortex of Children With Autism
Detailed postmortem analysis revealing 67% more neurons in the prefrontal cortex of autistic children.
Discrepancies between Dimensions of Interoception in Autism
Investigation revealing differences between objective and subjective body awareness in autism.
Salience Network Connectivity in Autism
Study showing altered brain network patterns specifically related to sensory over-responsivity in autism.
Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships
Decoding social mysteries through the unique perspectives of autism.
Atlas of the Heart
Mapping meaningful connection and the language of human experience.
Attention, Monotropism and the Diagnostic Criteria for Autism
Examination of attention patterns and monotropic thinking in autism.
Sensory Clusters of Toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Study identifying distinct sensory processing patterns in toddlers with autism.
Avoiding Ableist Language: Suggestions for Autism Researchers
Guidelines for respectful and accurate language use in autism research.
MYmind: Mindfulness Training for Youngsters with ASD
Mindfulness training program for young people with autism and their parents.
Mindfulness, Stress and Well-Being in Parents of Children with ASD
Systematic review of mindfulness interventions for parents of children with autism.
Emotion Regulation in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Current understanding and future directions in emotion regulation research.
Neuron Number and Size in Prefrontal Cortex of Children With Autism
Analysis of neuronal differences in the prefrontal cortex in autism.
Discrepancies between Dimensions of Interoception in Autism
Investigation of body awareness differences in autism.
Anxiety Disorders and Sensory Over-Responsivity in Children with ASD
Examination of causal relationships between anxiety and sensory processing.
Salience Network Connectivity in Autism
Brain network patterns related to sensory over-responsivity.
Neurobiology of Sensory Overresponsivity in Youth With ASD
Study examining brain responses to sensory stimuli in autism using fMRI.
Over-Reactive Brain Responses to Sensory Stimuli in Youth With ASD
Investigation of neural responses to sensory stimuli using advanced neuroimaging.
Mindfulness for Children and Adults with ASD
Meta-analysis of mindfulness interventions for autism across age groups.
PTSD and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Co-morbidity, gaps in research, and potential shared mechanisms.
Anxiety in Children and Youth with ASD
Association with amygdala subnuclei structure in autism.
Dynamic Adaptation of Large-Scale Brain Networks
Brain network responses to acute stressors.
Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Review
Comprehensive review of current understanding of autism.
Aggression in Children and Adolescents with ASD
Prevalence and risk factors study.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy in Adults with ASD
Long-term effects of mindfulness interventions.
Sensory and Attention Abnormalities in Autistic Spectrum Disorders
Investigation of sensory processing and attention patterns.
The Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Therapy for Anxiety in ASD
Systematic review of mindfulness interventions for anxiety and social skills.
Modeling the Cognitive Mechanisms Linking Autism Symptoms and Anxiety
Examination of cognitive links between autism and anxiety in adults.
The Intense World Syndrome - An Alternative Hypothesis for Autism
Theoretical framework proposing heightened neural processing in autism.
The Intense World Theory
A unifying theory of the neurobiology of autism.
Emotion Dysregulation in Autism: A Meta-Analysis
Comprehensive analysis of emotion regulation challenges in autism.
On the Ontological Status of Autism: The 'Double Empathy Problem'
Analysis of mutual understanding between autistic and non-autistic individuals.
Late Acute Stress Effects on Decision-Making
Effects of stress on decision-making processes.
Atypical Functional Connectivity of the Amygdala
Study of amygdala connectivity during attention to eye-gaze in autism.
ACT-Based Skills Training for Students with ASD
Outcomes of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for students with autism.
Interoceptive Training to Target Anxiety in Autistic Adults
Randomized controlled trial of interoception-based intervention.
Functional Characteristics of Disruptive Behavior in ASD
Analysis of behavioral patterns in developmentally disabled children with and without autism.
Stress, Memory and the Amygdala
Review of amygdala's role in stress response and memory formation.
Neuropsychological and Neuroimaging Research in ASD
Review focusing on attention, inhibition and cognitive flexibility.
Mindfulness-Based RCTs Led to Brain Structural Changes
Meta-analysis of brain changes following mindfulness interventions.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy in Adults with ASD
Randomized controlled trial of mindfulness therapy for adults with autism.
Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents with ASD
Meta-analysis of anxiety prevalence in young people with autism.
Mindfulness Meditation Training and Stress-Related Amygdala
Changes in amygdala connectivity following mindfulness training.
Salience Network Connectivity in 6-Week-Old Infants
Early detection of brain connectivity differences in infants at heightened likelihood for autism.
Salience Network–Based Classification of Symptom Severity
Prediction of symptom severity in children with autism using brain network analysis.
The Human Amygdala and Emotional Evaluation
Review of amygdala's role in processing sensory stimuli and emotions.
Rising Strong
How the ability to reset transforms the way we live, love, parent, and lead.
The Places That Scare You
A guide to fearlessness in difficult times, exploring mindfulness and emotional resilience.
When Things Fall Apart
Heart advice for difficult times, offering wisdom for life's challenging moments.
Low-Demand Parenting
Dropping demands, restoring calm, and finding connection with your uniquely wired child.
Good Morning, I Love You
Mindfulness and self-compassion practices to rewire your brain for calm, clarity, and joy.
The Reason I Jump
The inner voice of a thirteen-year-old boy with autism, offering unique insights into the autistic mind.
The Passionate Mind
How people with autism learn, exploring unique cognitive styles and learning approaches.
Me and Monotropism: A Unified Theory of Autism
Exploration of monotropism as a unified theory for understanding autism.
UCL, Linguistics, and Autism
Discussion of linguistic aspects and monotropic thinking in autism.
Monotropism
Exploration of monotropic attention and thinking styles in autism.
The Body Keeps the Score
Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma, exploring the impact of trauma on the entire organism.
Parent Attitudes towards Predictive Testing for Autism in the First Year of Life
Study examining parental perspectives on early autism testing and prediction.
Highly Logical and Non-Emotional Decisions in Both Risky and Social Contexts
Understanding decision making in autism spectrum disorder through computational modeling.
Surfing the Urge: An Informal Mindfulness Practice
Mindfulness practice for self-management of aggression in adolescents with autism.
Identity Youth and Crisis
Foundational work on identity development and life stages.
Temple Grandin
Biographical film about Temple Grandin, renowned author and autism advocate.