Dr Tomomi McAuliffe
Lecturer
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Affiliate of Parenting and Family Support Centre
Parenting and Family Support Centre
+61 7 336 52084
Researcher biography
Tomomi is an early career researcher who has a strong interest in parental health and wellbeing in the context of disability. She has worked in mental health practice before changing the direction of her career to the tertiary education sector. As she worked with people who were mothers in clinical context, she became interested in the power of mothering role and occupation. This interest has led her to complete her PhD study to investigate family routine management and its everyday impact on mothers of autistic children. With her PhD, she compared the experiences of mothers of autistic children using their household status (i.e., single versus couple) as well as region of residence (i.e., major city versus regional areas) to highlight the similarities and differences between these groups. Tomomi is also interested in mental health among international students, especially those students who come from non-Western cultural background. She has presented her research both at national and international conferences.
Book Chapter
DiZazzo-Miller, Rosanne, Gustafsson, Louise and McAuliffe, Tomomi (2025). Human occupations of middle adulthood (ages 40–65). Human occupation: Contemporary concepts and lifespan perspectives. (pp. 553-566) edited by Ted Brown, Stephen Isbel, Louise Gustafsson, Sharon Gutman, Diane Powers Dirette, Bethan Collins and Tim Barlott. London, United Kingdom: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781003504610-33
Journal Articles
Morawska, Alina, Mitchell, Amy E., Etel, Evren, Armstrong, Rebecca, McAuliffe, Tomomi, Ma, Tianyi, McBryde, Cathy and Johnston, Leanne M. (2024). A systematic review of parents’ experiences during their child’s transition to school. Early Childhood Education Journal, 1-12. doi: 10.1007/s10643-024-01780-z
Chen, Yu-Wei Ryan, Janicaud, Nicolas, Littlefair, David, Graham, Pamela, Soler, Nicolette, Wilkes-Gillan, Sarah, McAuliffe, Tomomi and Cordier, Reinie (2024). A systematic review of self-regulation measures in children: Exploring characteristics and psychometric properties. PLoS One, 19 (9) e0309895, e0309895. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0309895
Morawska, Alina, Armstrong, Rebecca, McBryde, Cathy, Mitchell, Amy E., Etel, Evren, McAuliffe, Tomomi and Johnston, Leanne M. (2024). Parent needs and preferences for support during their very prematurely born child’s transition to school. International Journal of Early Years Education, 1-17. doi: 10.1080/09669760.2024.2367508
McAuliffe, Tomomi, Dimech, Selah and Setchell, Jenny (2024). Understanding the Experiences of Families of Autistic Children When Participating in Relationship Development Intervention. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print), 1-15. doi: 10.1080/1034912x.2024.2362319
Tan, Hwei Lan, Aplin, Tammy, McAuliffe, Tomomi, Siow, Ai Sun and Gullo, Hannah (2024). Training and learning support for people with vision impairment in the use of smartphones and applications (apps): an exploratory Australasian survey. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 71 (5), 756-770. doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.12972
Mitchell, Amy E., Armstrong, Rebecca, McBryde, Cathy, Morawska, Alina, Etel, Evren, Hurrion, Elizabeth M., McAuliffe, Tomomi and Johnston, Leanne (2024). Children born very or extremely preterm transitioning to school: a cross-sectional study examining predictors of school readiness, school adjustment, and support needs. Early Child Development and Care, 194 (7-8), 1-17. doi: 10.1080/03004430.2024.2352722
Farrell, Callyn, Slaughter, Virginia, McAuliffe, Tomomi and Mulvihill, Aisling (2023). Participation and experiences in extracurricular activities for autistic and neurotypical children. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 54 (11), 1-15. doi: 10.1007/s10803-023-06142-z
Afsharnejad, Bahareh, Milbourn, Ben, Brown, Cherylee, Clifford, Rhonda, Foley, Kitty‐Rose, Logan, Alexandra, Lund, Stephan, Machingura, Tawanda, McAuliffe, Tomomi, Mozolic‐Staunton, Beth, Sharp, Nicole, Hayden‐Evans, Maya, Baker Young, Ellie, Black, Melissa, Zimmermann, Frank, Kacic, Viktor, Bölte, Sven and Girdler, Sonya (2023). Understanding the utility of “Talk‐to‐Me” an online suicide prevention program for Australian university students. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 53 (5), 725-738. doi: 10.1111/sltb.12978
Tan, Hwei Lan, Aplin, Tammy, Gullo, Hannah and McAuliffe, Tomomi (2023). Training and learning support to use smartphones and apps for people with vision impairment (PVI): a multi-site qualitative study on trainers’ perspectives from Australia, Canada, and Singapore. British Journal of Visual Impairment, 42 (3), 754-768. doi: 10.1177/02646196231183891
McAuliffe, Tomomi, Apps, Brittany and Setchell, Jenny (2023). Using relationship development intervention with autistic children and their families: the experiences of RDI consultants in Australia. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 36 (4), 755-755. doi: 10.1007/s10882-023-09925-5
O'Reilly, Sarah, Strong, Jennifer, Ziviani, Jenny, Brown, Jason and McAuliffe, Tomomi (2022). The role of the outpatient occupational therapist treating patients with small burns: a retrospective audit of practice. Journal of Burn Care & Research, 44 (1) irac123, 1-8. doi: 10.1093/jbcr/irac123
Tan, Hwei Lan, Aplin, Tammy, McAuliffe, Tomomi and Gullo, Hannah (2022). An exploration of smartphone use by, and support for people with vision impairment: a scoping review. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 19 (2), 1-26. doi: 10.1080/17483107.2022.2092223
Milboourn, Benjamin, Black, Melissa H., McAuliffe, Tomomi, Scott, Melissa and Buchanan, Angus (2021). Exploration of collaboration with university students in marking and moderation. International Journal for Innovation Education and Research, 9 (10), 228-245. doi: 10.31686/ijier.vol9.iss10.3440
McAuliffe, Tomomi, Cordier, Reinie, Chen, Yu-Wei, Vaz, Sharmila, Thomas, Yvonne and Falkmer, Torbjorn (2020). In-the-moment experiences of mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder: a comparison by household status and region of residence. Disability and Rehabilitation, 44 (4), 1-15. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2020.1772890
McAuliffe, Tomomi, Thomas, Yvonne, Vaz, Sharmila, Falkmer, Torbjorn and Cordier, Reinie (2019). The experiences of mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder: managing family routines and mothers’ health and wellbeing. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 66 (1), 68-76. doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.12524
Wilson, Nathan J., Cordier, Reinie, Ciccarelli, Marina, MacCallum, Judith, Milbourn, Benjamin, Vaz, Sharmila, Joosten, Annette, Buchanan, Angus, McAuliffe, Tomomi and Stancliffe, Roger J. (2018). Intergenerational mentoring at Men's Sheds: a feasibility study. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 31 (1), e105-e117. doi: 10.1111/jar.12338
McAuliffe, Tomomi, Cordier, Reinie, Vaz, Sharmila, Thomas, Yvonne and Falkmer, Torbjorn (2017). Quality of life, coping styles, stress levels, and time use in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders: comparing single versus coupled households. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 47 (10), 3189-3203. doi: 10.1007/s10803-017-3240-z
McAuliffe, Tomomi, Vaz, Sharmila, Falkmer, Torbjoern and Cordier, Reinie (2017). A comparison of families of children with autism spectrum disorders in family daily routines, service usage, and stress levels by regionality. Developmental Neurorehabilitation, 20 (8), 483-490. doi: 10.1080/17518423.2016.1236844
Cordier, Reinie, McAuliffe, Tomomi, Wilson, Nathan J., Totino, Rebekah, Dender, Alma, Smith, Cally and Stephens, Michaela (2015). The appropriateness and feasibility of an online e-Portfolio for assessment of undergraduate allied health students. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 63 (3), 154-163. doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.12226
Vaz, Sharmila, Cordier, Reinie, Falkmer, Marita, Ciccarelli, Marina, Parsons, Richard, McAuliffe, Tomomi and Falkmer, Torbjorn (2015). Should schools expect poor physical and mental health, social adjustment, and participation outcomes in students with disability?. PLoS One, 10 (5), e0126630. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0126630
McAuliffe, Tomomi and Barnett, Fiona (2010). Perceptions towards rural and remote practice: a study of final year occupational therapy students studying in a regional university in Australia. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 57 (5), 293-300. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1630.2009.00838.x
McAuliffe, T. and Barnett, F. (2009). Factors influencing occupational therapy students' perceptions of rural and remote practice. Rural and Remote Health, 9 (1)
Conference Papers
Mitchel, A. E., McBryde, C., Morawska, A., Etel, E., McAuliffe, T., Johnston, L. and Armstrong, R. (2024). Children born very preterm transitioning to school: Predictors of school readiness and adjustment. 42nd National Conference of the Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 13-14 October 2024.
McAuliffe, Tomomi, Zuber, Alice and En Koh, Ruth Jia (2023). Therapists' perspectives of family routines when working with families of autistic children. Occupational Therapy Australia 30th National Conference an Exhibition, Cairns, QLD Australia, 21-23 June 2023.
McAuliffe, Tomomi, Turpin, Merrill and Schneck, Megan (2023). A pilot study to explore resilience among international students: What keeps them going?. Occupational Therapy Australia 30th National Conference and Exhibition, Cairns, QLD Australia, 21-23 June 2023.
McAuliffe, Tomomi, Bermingham, Briony and Bourke-Taylor, Helen (2023). Parental perspectives of self-managing NDIS plans for their children with disability. Occupational Therapy Australia 30th National Conference and Exhibition, Cairns, QLD Australia, 21-23 June 2023.
Morawska, A., McBryde, C., Mitchell, A. E., Etel, E., McAuliffe, T., Armstrong, R. and Johnston, L. (2022). Preferences of parents of children born very pre-term for parenting support at the transition to school. 42nd National Conference of the Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 13-14 October 2022.
Morawska, A., Mitchell, A., Etel, E., Ma, T., McAuliffe, T., Armstrong, R., McBryde, C. and Johnston, L. (2022). A systematic review of barriers and facilitators experienced by parents of typically developing and preterm children during the transition to school. 76th Annual Meeting of the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, Las Vegas, NV United States, 21-24 September 2022.
Dimech, Selah, McAuliffe, Tomomi and Setchell, Jenny (2022). Understanding the experience of families undertaking a parent-focused autism spectrum disorder intervention. OT Exchange 2022, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 9-10 June 2022.
Dimech, Selah, McAuliffe, Tomomi and Setchell, Jenny (2022). Understanding the experience of families undertaking a parent focused autism spectrum disorder intervention. OT Exchange, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 9-10 June 2022.
Wunsch, H., McAuliffe, Tomomi and Fleming, Jennifer (2021). Experiences of Australian university students in their school-based mental health support programs. Occupational Therapy Australia, 29th National Conference and Exhibition, Virtual Conference and Engagement Hubs, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 23-25 June 2021.
McAuliffe, T., Cordier, R., Vaz, S., Falkmer, T. and Thomas, Y. (2019). Management of family routines: what is happening for mothers of children with autism?. The Occupational Therapy Australia 28th National Conference and Exhibition, Sydney, Australia, 10-12 July 2019.
Milbourn, B., McAuliffe, T., Scott, M. and Buchanan, A. (2018). Collaboration with undergraduate students in marking and moderation of written assessments: an exploratory study. The Teaching and Learning Forum 2018, Perth, Australia, 1-2 February 2018.
McAuliffe, T., Cordier, R., Vaz, S., Falkmer, T., Chen, Y. and Thomas, Y. (2017). Time use and related emotions of mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders: a comparison of single and coupled mothers. The Occupational Therapy Australia 27th National Conference and Exhibition 2017, Perth, Australia, 19-21 July 2017.
McAuliffe, T., Cordier, R., Vaz, S., Falkmer, T. and Thomas, Y (2017). The experiences of mothers of children who are on the autism spectrum in managing family routines: a comparison between coupled and single mothers. The Asia Pacific Autism Conference, Sydney, NSW Australia, 7-9 September 2017.
McAuliffe, T., Thomas, Y. and Barnett, F. (2014). Exploring modern perceptions of stay at home mothers and their occupational roles and identity. 16th International Congress of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, Yokohama, Japan, 18-21 June 2014.