Dr Lou Thomas (she/they)

#CRAEreads Beyond self-regulation: Autistic experiences and perceptions of stimming (Morris et al. 2025) Stimming is more than self-regulation—it’s connection, and community. Interventions should embrace, not suppress, stimming. doi.org/10.1177/275463…

🚨 Timely access to essential SEND provision is a postcode lottery, with massive variation across the country in waiting times for Educational, Health and Care Plans. 🧵 Take a closer look at the thread below to see the level of variation within individual regions 👇

New video with @CManningPhD talking about the introduction of registered reports to Autism. Watch the full video on our YouTube: youtu.be/safD-r8AVYo?si…

Imprisonment in solitary confinement is not akin to living alone. And comparing the two is absurd. Very sad to see a new paper making such claims on a time we work so hard to ditch such practices.

This artwork was created by a young woman to depict her experiences of seclusion and long term segregation. The RRN is grateful to the artist for sharing her work with us. #RRNConf24 restraintreductionnetwork.org/resource/artwo…

We are looking for one scholar to join us as a lecturer (full-time, permanent, research & teaching contract) starting 12 August 2025!!!☀️ Apply now to join a supportive community of researchers and teachers! Application deadline: 5 Jan 2025. jobs.royalholloway.ac.uk/vacancy.aspx?r…

New systematic review and meta-analysis (by Yixin Chen and others) showing how sensory processing differences are associated with a range of mental health challenges for autistic people. Open access. sciencedirect.com/science/articl…

Very proud to have been involved in this new paper, led by @AmandaT_ASC, highlighting how few mental health intervention studies measure quality of life as an outcome for autistic people, or involve autistic people in the design/delivery of the study 1/2

Do you understand the value of a diverse workforce? Are you interested in improving hiring practices? Help us evaluate a web-based resource for employers to improve job opportunities for Autistic people. Info on how to participate in a study: forms.gle/k9NtHTx6Ya9yDe…

🗞️🗞️🗞️ NEW PAPER 🗞️🗞️🗞️ Experiences of #ActuallyAutistic psychiatrists recognising themselves and others as autistic Read free: cambridge.org/core/journals/… @BSMSMedSchool @LSBU @rcpsych

Quality-of-life measurement in randomised controlled trials of mental health interventions for autistic adults: A systematic review journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.11…

Unmet need for autism-aware care for gynaecological, menstrual and sexual wellbeing journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.11…

If someone is autistic and has #ADHD, known as #AuDHD, they may experience an internal struggle between their autistic and ADHD traits and a heightened experience of shared traits. This #ADHDAwarenessMonth ⭐ learn more about the co-occurring conditions: autistica.org.uk/what-is-autism…

Our paper encouraging researchers to avoid ableist language just reached a new milestone- 1,000 citations! We had no idea our paper would have such an impact, but we’re so grateful that it has! liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/au…

It's #ADHDAwarenessMonth. A recent study with autistic, AuADHD and ADHD people found a remarkable overlap between the workarounds they use to keep focused. There is so much neurodivergent people can learn from each other. doi.org/10.1177/275463…

I'm reviewing experiences of Autistic menopause. There are so many issues - not listened to in appointments - not believed that the person could be peri-menopausal - printing out information to show GPs - feeling ignored We need a better model of healthcare for Autistic adults.

📢Recruiting #autisticadults with #livedexperience of #selfharm and/or #selfinjury, who live in the UK📢 Complete an online survey to help develop a better self-harm assessment tool with and for autistic adults. For more info/ to take part: tinyurl.com/58xrseta (or scan QR)

"Reacting, Retreating, Regulating, and Reconnecting: How Autistic Adults in the United Kingdom Use Time Alone for Well-Being" is now open access. It is based on the qualitative findings from my PhD - I hope you enjoy it! liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.10… @SedgewickF @PublicHealthUWE

We are delighted to introduce our #RecruiterAwards Charity of the Year 2024 – @Autistica! They are the UK's leading autism research and campaigning charity, and their vision is a world where every autistic person lives a happy, healthy, and long life: recruiterawards.co.uk/charity/