Understanding sensory difference: monotropism
Autistic researcher and author Kieran Rose (The Autistic Advocate) examines sensory and attentional difference in autistic children and young people. He gives an example from his own experience to explain monotropic attention, a concept originally defined by (Murray et al. 2005).
Talking points
- What it might mean to have sensory differences.
- How monotropic attention can influence communication styles and information processing.
- Monotropism as an intrinsic motivation model.
Length: 8 minutes
Reflective questions
Consider examples from your own organisations and practice:
- How can you provide (and advocate for) communication which takes account of a child or young person’s sensory and attentional differences? Think about meetings, writing and other contexts.
- Do you currently feel confident in having conversations with a child or young person about their sensory experience and attentional difference? What might you need to increase your confidence?
Related resources
- An introduction to monotropism by Kieran Rose (The Autistic Advocate), Josh Knowles (Josh Knowles animation), Dr Georgia Pavlopoulou (Anna Freud Centre) and Dr Ruth Moyse (AT-Autism) for the HEE-funded National Autism Trainer Programme.
- Young people explain stimming (by Ambitious about Autism).
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Part of Understanding autism to support autistic children and young people - a neurodiversity approach: Video learning resources.