It was always drummed in to me that during turbulence one should attempt to hold an attitude, not an altitude
Correct. Except that should read extreme turbulence.
Also, it is my experience that a very few number of pilots have ever experienced any extended period/s of real/actual
extreme*turbulence.
Just because an auto-pilot disconnects, does not mean that one is in extreme turbulence.
* Turbulence in which the aircraft is violently tossed about and is practically impossible to control. It may cause structural damage.