One choice? Who would you like to see?

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Afternoon from the UK.......... I am doing a bit of research and could really use your help and expertise.

If you could go and see/listen to one person/expert speak at an Autism Conference who would it be and why?

Would really appreciate the feedback, thanks soooo much

Dr. Tony Attwood, Ph.D....He knows more about Autism and Asperger's Syndrome than most people. Besides, he recognizes that there are many adults who have had to struggle for years with the challenges of life as "undiagnosed" individuals affected with AS. AS is not just a childhood malady.

Zsazsa...............seconded!
Thank you so much for replying so promptly and succinctly
He is my first too!

Roll up roll up, who else!

Temple Grandin. She is coming to my area in November and I can't wait to see her. Nobody knows more about having autism than someone who actually lives it.

(I'd love to see Tony too, but you only gave me one choice)

Dr. Michael Fitzgerald of Trinity College, Dublin

Dr. Attwood probably has the broadest knowledge - but from my own personal standpoint, I would want to hear from Dr. Grandin.

Thanks zeichner . it looks as though so far Prof's Grandin and Attwood are top of the list!

Do please continue to post your favourites everyone, cheers

Buddha. Unfortunately not available since he died about 2500 years ago. But I believe it could be interesting to include a Buddhist speaker since many Buddhist practices seek to cultivate what are naturally autistic traits like detachment from feelings and society. A Buddhist speaker could provide a different and perhaps positive perspective, but I'm sorry that I don't have a specific person to recommend.

I thought of this after my last post. I would like to see Temple Grandin's mother. Temple speaks so highly of her, and for good reason. This woman had an autistic child when she was very young, a child herself really. To be that young and be tasked to bring up Temple in a time where autism was looked at as a mental illness, when most kids were institutionalized for it, and to refuse the advice of professionals and raise her to become a fully functioning successful adult is quite an accomplishment. You have to admire someone like that.

I have had pretty crappy luck working with professionals lately, to the point where I'm doing this pretty much on my own. I can totally relate to following your instincts and refusing "professional" treatment that will be harmful for a better alternative. I don't have words to explain how wonderful she must have been.

This is too tough to decide for me. But like a lot of you, it would have to be between Attwood and Grandin. When I was diagnosed with AS, it was suggested at the clinic that I get Attwood's book The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome, and I immediately ordered it. I found the book to be almost like an owner's manual to my life---great material there---he truly seems to have an understanding of how those of us with AS work.

Then there is Grandin. I first saw her on a television show segment entitled "The Woman Who Talks to Cows." Oh yes, she is indeed knowledgable and interesting. And, she is under the spectrum like many of us---so she would indeed be a great choice. I also have a couple of her wonderful books---The Way I See It, and Thinking in Pictures.

Now for a decision? Who do I pick. Hmm.......Ok, I have decided:

Mr. Bean .

Tony.

Thank you everyone, this is very interesting. Prof Attwood and Prof Grandin still top of the charts and I can quite see why.
Would you agree that a conference covering ALL aspects of the spectrum would be useful?

Interesting question, but as I thought about it I decided nobody. I've been living it for 4o years there's nothing they are going to tell me in a few hours of a conference I don't already know. They have biweekly conferences here where I live. I've never gone to a single one. There's really nothing for me to get out of it.

I'd like to send my immediate family to a Tony Attwood conference.

Ari Ne'eman