Monotropism.org

My old friend Haje Jan Kamps interviewed me for his podcast, Autistic FM.

We had a great chat! Hadn't caught up in a few years, but we mostly talked about monotropism. #autisticFm
podcastaddict.com/autistic-fm/...

At least four of the chapters in this important new book discuss monotropism.
#AutRes #Autistic #EduSky

"being absorbed in a flow state can make psychological phenomena outside of the flow states more difficult to monitor as attentional resources are depleted."

#Monotropism anyone...?

Just finished this - it's a lovely wee book -full of the joy of play! The shapes (or types) of autistic play described really got me reflecting on play I've been a part of, and captured it so well. Plus lots of ideas for supporting play.
Thanks @monotropism.bsky.social - think I saw this via you!

flap your hands, it feels good thinking about autistic strengths from the monotropism model, or

new blog post:
flap your hands, it feels good: thinking about autistic strengths from the monotropism model. in which i tell you about some cool emotions i'm good at experiencing

This review provides support for the enhanced perceptual functioning model of autism & Montreal group's related research comparing strengths in ASD, ANoSD & nonautistic people. Additional support comes from neurodivergence-affirming autistic-produced models such as monotropism (Murray et al. 2005).

Glimmers: Autistic Joy and Monotropism | Autistic Realms Glimmers are small, powerful moments of Autistic joy that emerge when we’re deeply immersed in what matters to us. Learn how monotropism & flow create s ...

✨ What Are Glimmers? ✨
Glimmers are small, powerful moments of Autistic joy that emerge when we’re deeply immersed in what matters to us.
🌱 Discover how monotropism & flow create space for joy in an often overwhelming world. 💫

Find out more: autisticrealms.com/glimmers-aut...

Important paper on autistic communication, backing up much of what we have been saying about monotropic communication (Subtheme 1.2 here): "Many contributors preferred, or found it easier, to attend to one channel of communication over others (e.g., tone of voice) suggesting monotropic processing"

A poem about monotropism by a fabulous writer that I am delighted to know!

"Monotropism: not a buzzword or trend,
But a way to explain, to understand, to mend.
A mind that moves differently, deep and precise,
Drawn to one thread, not scattered like dice"

LOVE this @luis01.bsky.social !

Important paper on autistic communication, backing up much of what we have been saying about monotropic communication (Subtheme 1.2 here): "Many contributors preferred, or found it easier, to attend to one channel of communication over others (e.g., tone of voice) suggesting monotropic processing"

Dark blue and gold background with Thriving Autistic logo. Text reads: Research Reshare THRIVING AUTISTIC Experiences of Autistic Joy Wassell (2025) "By understanding Autistic Joy as 'as- semblage' we can explore autistic potentials and give due weight to both autistic dispositional differ- ences - such as monotropic flow states - and the environment in creating experiences of flourishing."

Dark blue and gold background with Thriving Autistic logo. Text reads:Research Reshare 4. THRIVING AUTISTIC Experiences of Autistic Joy Wassell (2025) 4 Themes Autistic sensorium as a source of joy Importance of spe- cial interests Things must be right Other people need to change

Dark blue and gold background with Thriving Autistic logo. Text reads: rage 4 hua page tue Research Reshare THRIVING AUTISTIC Experiences of Autistic Joy Wassell (2025) "Recommend- ations include building autistic joy into education and support solutions"

Dark blue and gold background with Thriving Autistic logo. Text reads: Word cloud describing Autistic Joy - love, feel, music, nature, body, playing ......

Research Reshare!
Experience of Autistic Joy!
Embrace Monotropism!

4 Themes
Autistic sensorium as a source of joy
Importance of special interests
Things must be right
Other people need to change

Wassell, E. (2025). Experiences of autistic joy. Disability & Society, 1–26. doi.org/10.1080/0968...

Another lovely episode of the Middletown Centre for Autism podcast: Joan @posautive.bsky.social McDonald talks about monotropism with Cat @naturetable.bsky.social Hughes.

They also talk autistic experiences in education, #autistic community, and my mum.

www.middletownautism.com/social-media...

Dinah was an amazing person.

I knew her from my post grad degree days at UofB

She saw a very stressed out student ( me, issues with my room on a study weekend)

And she came to me, sat me down & immediately calmed me down.

I will forever be grateful to her for that .

May her name be a blessing

bsky.app/profile/mono...

bsky.app/profile/mono...

Dinah Murray Dinah in her final months, with Frankie in Fife. Photo by Fergus Murray. Dr Dinah Murray was a political activist, autistic autism researcher, support worker, writer and mother. She liked to call h…

Dinah Murray died on this day four years ago, in Dalgety Bay.

She had lived to see her work on Monotropism as a theory of autism becoming more and more widely recognised, and died surrounded by people who loved her.

Read about her life and legacy, and read her work, here:
monotropism.org/dinah/

MIke Lesser –Freedom is a Career

Committee of 100, Spies for Peace & the theory of Monotropism? Respect.

Mike Lesser (1943-2015) (Fergus Murray, 2023) Portrait of Mike Lesser by Nicola Lane / 1975-1976 / oil & egg tempera on linen / in the permanent collection of  The People’s History Museum, Manchester.Photog…

Mike Lesser died ten years ago today.

He worked with Dinah Murray on the theory of Monotropism for years: developing ideas in conversation, coauthoring many several papers, and working on a mathematical model intended to capture its key features.

monotropism.org/mike-lesser/

The Joys and Shapes of Autistic Play This publication is available in digital (published below) and physical forms. You can buy a physical copy here; You can also give a donation on this page to help support my work which is always ap…

"The Joys and Shapes of Autistic Play" has reached at least 500 people through downloads and physical copies now! 🌟 Thank you so much to all who have read and shared it . If you haven't and are interested in autistic play, joy and connection then please check it out! playradical.com/the-joys-and...

YouTube video by SGDP ARCH SGDP Autism ResearCH (ARCH) Seminar: Nina Danon, 19.02.2025

The recording of my talk on Musical Neuroqueering at the ARCH seminar series at @respectlabkcl.bsky.social
is now on YouTube!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbnP...

When joyful autonomy matters so much more than curriculum outcomes There is a particular kind of attention some children bring to the things they love. What is monotropism? How should we respond?

Not every passion must be mined for teachable moments. Gem Clutton explains that for children with monotropic attention profiles, which are widely understood within autistic communities as a core feature of autistic cognition, this approach can easily go astray. loom.ly/8TEBOJM

Fun Fact Friday!
Many autistic people experience monotropism — the ability to hyperfocus deeply on one interest at a time. 🔎

It’s not just “obsession” — it’s often where we shine brightest. 🌈

Learn more: embrace-autism.com/monotropism

Virtual assessments for ages 16+ also available 💻🌐📧

Image of rain drops on leaf (Credit Fergus Murray). Text reads: "To have a meaning is to have a place in an interest system: the more diverse and connected the interest system, the more subtle, deep, or ramified will be the meanings it confers through interpretation or expression." Attention Tunnelling and Autism Dinah KC Murray, 1992. From Living with Autism: The Individual, the Family, and the Professional. Durham Conference Proceedings Find out more and discover the home of Dinah Murray's archives: www.monotropism.org

Read the first ever publication about the concept of monotropism, shared in 1992
'Attention Tunnelling and Autism' by
Dinah KC Murray. From Living with Autism: The Individual, the Family, & the Professional. Durham Conference Proceedings
Find out more in the archives
monotropism.org/dinah/attent...

Image of rain drops on leaf (Credit Fergus Murray). Text reads: "To have a meaning is to have a place in an interest system: the more diverse and connected the interest system, the more subtle, deep, or ramified will be the meanings it confers through interpretation or expression." Attention Tunnelling and Autism Dinah KC Murray, 1992. From Living with Autism: The Individual, the Family, and the Professional. Durham Conference Proceedings Find out more and discover the home of Dinah Murray's archives: www.monotropism.org

Read the first ever publication about the concept of monotropism, shared in 1992
'Attention Tunnelling and Autism' by
Dinah KC Murray. From Living with Autism: The Individual, the Family, & the Professional. Durham Conference Proceedings
Find out more in the archives
monotropism.org/dinah/attent...

Hurrah! A comprehensive seasonal round-up of monotropism-related news, research, blogs, podcasts, videos and more!

If you have come across other monotropism related resources, please do reach out and let @monotropism.bsky.social know. We'd love to hear from you!

NEW Map of Monotropic Experiences: FREE Open Source Training Resources Map of Monotropic Experiences: FREE Open Source Training ResourcesThe Map of Monotropic Experiences:Reframing Autism Through A Neurodiversity-Affirming Lens Training for Professionals, Families and Community Groups to Support Autistic People I am excited to announce that in collaboration with Stumpunks, we have a new free, open-source training resource!At Autistic Realms and Stimpunks, we believe in telling our own stories and validating each other's experiences. The Map of Monotropic...

NEW Map of Monotropic Experiences: FREE Open Source Training Resources

Map of Monotropic Experiences: FREE Open Source Training ResourcesThe Map of Monotropic Experiences:Reframing Autism Through A Neurodiversity-Affirming Lens Training for Professionals, Families and Community Groups to Support…

Image of Helen Edgar. Text: JOIN ME AT THE #YLBCONFERENCE2025 yellow LADYBUGS CONFERENCE 3-5 JUNE 2025 Supporting autistic girls and gender diverse students at school and beyond.

I’m excited to be presenting at the 2025 @yellowladybugs.bsky.social Conference
3-5 June 2025
Wenn Lawson & I will be discussing: Mapping the Monotropic Mind: An Introduction to Autistic Thinking & Processing Styles
Tickets: ylb2025.vfairs.com
#monotropism #neuroaffirming #autism

Spring Round-Up 2025 A round-up of research, writing and other resources related to monotropism collated by Helen Edgar and Fergus Murray. This is just a snapshot of some things that have crossed our path. The theory o…

Our Spring 2025 Round-up is here!

Featuring books by @johnharris1969.bsky.social and @mlmlois.bsky.social, several blogs, and a whole lot of newly published research.

Mostly pulled together by @autisticrealms.bsky.social with a bit of help from @fergus.oolong.co.uk.
monotropism.org/2025/spring/

An important article on autistic joy and its links to flow, passionate interests and sensory enjoyment

In Practice Monotropism is powerful as a theory of autism: a way of thinking about it not as a set of deficits, but as a different, more focused strategy for using attention. Perhaps, though, it is really its …

Call out for anyone who is covering the theory of monotropism in their training courses?
Charities/Organisations?
Colleges?
Universities?
Let us know what you are up to & we may add to the website on our upcoming training page:
monotropism.org/in-practice/