People with autism experience trauma from a variety of situations. For example, they may experience name-calling, bullying, being taken advantage of, feeling isolated and rejected, and being invalidated by family or friends. These are just a few specific situations that are traumatic.
Autistics get posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) more often than neurotypicals, for a number of reasons. First, because social skills are confusing to them, they are more likely to be bullied and abused, which thus makes them more vulnerable to developing PTSD.
Adults with autism commonly have a range of challenges with regard to neuropsychological functions, including difficulties with social cognition, memory, executive functioning, and motor coordination, which can impact their ability to navigate the complexities of adult independence 4.
Research indicates that autistic people are more likely to report symptoms of PTSD. Although research has yet to establish clear prevalence rates, the rates of probable PTSD in autistic people (32-45%) are higher than those in the general population (4-4.5%) (Rumball et al. 2020; Rumball et al.
Exposure to adverse events and trauma does not automatically result in PTSD and has been found to be associated with many other forms of psychopathology, with the strongest link to anxiety and depression (6, 9). Anxiety and mood symptoms were found in 50–70% of children and adults with ASD (10, 11, 12).
Similarities between PTSD and Autism
Both conditions can cause anxiety or fear in certain situations. Both conditions can cause difficulty with social interaction and communication. Both conditions can cause difficulty with sleep and concentration.
Those who experienced the most serious abuse had the highest likelihood of having a child with autism — three-and-a-half times more than women who were not abused.
Masking may involve suppressing certain behaviours we find soothing but that others think are 'weird', such as stimming or intense interests. It can also mean mimicking the behaviour of those around us, such as copying non-verbal behaviours, and developing complex social scripts to get by in social situations.
Nearly 1 in 5 parents of kids with autism who participated in a new study had enough symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder to qualify for a provisional diagnosis. The study, which included hundreds of parents of children who are on the spectrum, found that 18.6 percent met criteria for PTSD.
There is some research to suggest that having PTSD can heighten autistic characteristics and you may feel an increased need for structure and consistency. Complex PTSD can lead to behaviour that is harmful to you, such as alcohol or drug misuse, self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
When Does Autism Get Easier? A new study found that around 30% of young autistic children have less severe symptoms at age 6 than they did at age 3. Interestingly, some children lose their autism diagnoses entirely.
Death. Triplett died of cancer at home on June 15, 2023. He was the longest-living person known to have autism.
There are many myths about what causes autism. Over the years, scientists have debunked many of these myths. The claim that MMR vaccines or childhood neglect are responsible for autism is not based on medical science.
There is no consensus on whether autism is a form of brain damage. Some researchers believe that autism is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, while others argue that it is a result of brain damage.
It's something you're born with. Signs of autism might be noticed when you're very young, or not until you're older. If you're autistic, you're autistic your whole life. Autism is not a medical condition with treatments or a "cure".
Studies have shown that more than 50% of mothers report a decreased ability to enjoy life as they face the challenges associated with raising a child with ASD. In fact, a low level of social support has been identified as the most powerful predictor of depression and anxiety in the mothers (Boyd, 2002).
Parents of children with autism can be under tremen- dous stress. It may seem like there is never enough time to do everything that needs to be done. So much focus and attention is placed on the child with autism, that it is common for parents to have little time or energy left to focus on their other children.
Autistic children love their parents
You may have to learn to see how your child expresses affection and not take it personally if your child doesn't show affection in the way that typical children do.
The 'autism accent'.
Professionals would describe this as abnormal speech patterns. I'm not sure what specifically is different about our voices, but some autistic people find that they are often asked about their voice or accent. I have been. In primary school other kids used to mock my voice.
While ADHD can make it difficult to focus, sit still, or control impulses, autism can limit a person's scope of interests or affect social skills and learning abilities. ADHD and autism often share symptoms, like difficulty communicating or concentrating. Additionally, it's possible that the conditions are connected.
ADHD is not on the autism spectrum, but they have some of the same symptoms. And having one of these conditions increases the chances of having the other. Experts have changed the way they think about how autism and ADHD are related.
When there is a compromise in the executive functioning of the brain, as is the case for people with autism and other conditions, it can result in impulse control issues. Because of the disruption that impulsive behaviors can cause, treating impulsivity in autism is often a major priority.
Autism in women can look like difficulty with social relationships, sensory overwhelm, sensory seeking, challenges in work life, and an intense focus on a desired topic. Treatment is only necessary if the symptoms negatively impact a person's life.