"They are carrying a lot with them."

A friend and I were once talking about neurodiversity and trauma. She signaled that it seems like for whatever reason, autistic people seem to be paired with difficult lives. Our casual observation has actually been explored and confirmed through research. Autistic individuals are at much higher risk for an array of traumatic events throughout their lifetimes (Hernández-González et al., 2023).

A study that examined the prevalence of sexual assault among autistic women through an online questionnaire found that a staggering 90% endorsed an experience of sexual violence (Cazalis et al., 2022). Other research has found that adults with autism report more adverse childhood experiences as measured by the ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale) than neurotypicals (Hartley et al., 2024). For autistic individuals who are unable to communicate about their trauma, rates are relatively unknown. With concerns such as abuse reported in many care facilities (Collins and Murphy, 2022), the topic is relevant.

Seeking to make sense and peace with the past is a major contributor to autistic individuals coming to my therapy room.

I am both a therapist and a person living with autism. I can say that we autistic people often weather the full impact of trauma in a variety of ways, including many that neurotypical people share. Autistic people can develop

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