Dr Tony Attwood, clinical psychologist and world renown as an expert in the problems related to people with autism and Asperger syndrome will be in Christchurch this September to deliver seminars at the Autism New Zealand Conference 2008 - "Making the Connections".

The seminars presented in 2007 were very popular, attended by hundreds of people in all centres. If you would like a copy of the seminar, they are available on DVD or video from Autism New Zealand Inc. Please email: info@autismnz.org.nz for more information.

The topics of the seminar were:

Managing Feelings: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to Manage Anxiety, Sadness and Anger

The presentation explains why children and adults with Asperger syndrome are more prone to develop mood disorders and also explains strategies that can help such individuals learn about and manage emotions. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapy includes affective education and cognitive restructuring, ie improving the understanding of emotions and changing the way the person perceives and responds to emotions. The concept of an emotional toolbox is used to provide a greater range of strategies to manage emotions

Managing Challenging Behaviour in Children with Autism and Asperger Syndrome

The presentation focuses on children and adolescents and provides an explanation and strategies with regard to repetitive behaviour, emotion management and the development of effective communication systems for emotions. The presentation will include strategies to help with self-injurious behaviour and the improvement of social understanding and coping with change

Biography

Professor Tony Attwood is from the United Kingdom (now living in Queensland, Australia with his family). He holds an Honours degree in Psychology, a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology and a Ph.D. Tony first became interested in what we now call Autism Spectrum Disorders when he worked as a volunteer during a summer vacation at a local special school and became determined to specialize in this area in order to understand and help children and adults with autism. Over the intervening years he has gained experience of the full range of the spectrum, from babies to the elderly and from those whose abilities and behaviour are profoundly affected to renowned university professors. He has also been able to observe the long term development of children and adults and experience working as a clinician in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia, and now regularly visits North America.