Dr. Wenn Barnabas Lawson is an autistic researcher who has 3 autistic offspring and 3 autistic granddaughters. He is also a lecturer, British Psychologist, advocate, and poet, sharing his experiences for almost 3 decades. He has published internationally and serves as an Associate Researcher with Curtin University (WA) and Macquarie University, NSW; Tutor Practitioner with Birmingham University (UK), a Board member for Autism in Adulthood, and the Australian Research Council, Ambassador for I CAN (Autistic Youth Advocacy) has a Youtube channel and home page.
In 2008 he won 4th position as the Victorian Australian of The Year. In 2017 he presented to the United Nations on matters of Autism and ageing, and in 2021, he won the Lesley Hall, disability leadership lifetime achievement award. Dr. Lawson is passionate about all things LGBTQIA+ and Autism... www.wennlawson.com
Personal Statement:
I am an internationally-regarded autistic developmental and educational British psychologist and researcher whose major area of research expertise is Autism. I completed a doctorate in psychology at Deakin University, Victoria, Australia, in 2009, 'exploring the cognitive theory of autism and introducing a new cognitive theory of autism" based around monotropism: Single Attention & associated Cognition in Autism (SAACA)'. I continued to contribute (from 2005 ongoing) to the Master's Autism Course with Birmingham University (UK), lecture at various universities in Melbourne and the UK, and operate my own Practice as an Autism Consultant. I have written, co-written, and contributed to over 30 books on Autism while continuing to lecture, conduct research and see clients. I have written and/or contributed to over 50 papers concerning Autism and behaviour that challenges ageing in Autism, Autism and sexuality, Autism and gender, Autism and school and Autism and sensory challenges, and Autism and memory. In 2015-(ongoing), I joined the Autism CRC as both a practical member and contributor to its 'Research Academy' and 'Future Leaders program'. In 2017 I joined the Think Tank in Vancouver, Canada, on Autism & ageing, see https://autismcanada.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/AC_2017-ThinkTank_Final.pdf.
I was on the board for I CAN (Australia) and now act as an I CAN ambassador. I am on the editorial board for the Journal of Intellectual Disability - Diagnosis and Treatment, Autism in Adulthood Journal, and Global Science Journal of Intellectual Disability.
I am a member of the Australian Research Council and on the US Autism Board. I'm a member of CARG (Curtin Autism Research Group).
Between 2018-2020 I worked with the South Australian Government Dept. of Education as an autism consultant within the complex needs team, exploring ways to assist autistic students with a variety of challenges.
Throughout my career, my research concerning the cognitive theory of Autism (monotropism), which I shared with Dr. Dinah Murray (2005-2221), has continued to challenge traditional cognitive theories of Autism. See: Murray, Lesser & Lawson, 2005, Autism; Lawson, W. 1998- 2021 JKP. London.
1993 ongoing, Self-employed Pastoral Counsellor & Home Duties
2005-ongoing with Birmingham University (UK) as a Practitioner Tutor.
Honours
Named by Autism agencies across Australia in 2013 for autism advocacy and awarded at APAC, 2013, Adelaide, SA.
Autism CRC Achievement in Autism Spectrum Research Award, Dec 2020 – Inclusive Research Category for "The Hidden Histories of Late-Diagnosed Autistic Adults: An Oral History Study".
Autism CRC Achievement in Autism Spectrum Research Award 2020- Inclusive Research Category for 'Autism and Quality of Life Project'
Lesley Hall Lifetime achievement award for Disability Leadership (2021)
Victorian Australian of The Year (4th) 2008
Autism CRC Achievement in Autism Spectrum Research Award, Dec 2020 – Inclusive Research Category for "The Hidden Histories of Late-Diagnosed Autistic Adults: An Oral History Study".
Autism CRC Achievement in Autism Spectrum Research Award 2020- Inclusive Research Category for 'Autism and Quality of Life Project'
Lesley Hall Lifetime achievement award for Disability Leadership (2021)
Victorian Australian of The Year (4th) 2008
