A recent study by Roberts et al. (2015) found a strong association between trauma, PTSD and autistic traits (which may have been sub-clinical) in adult women. This association was highest amongst those women with the most severe autistic traits.
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.
Awareness of PTSD in children has been fairly limited until recently, which means symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for more familiar childhood diagnoses. For example, a child's response to trauma can sometimes mirror the signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
While autism is never caused by trauma, there may be something about living with autism that is inherently traumatic.
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.
It is often the case that the characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder are not noticed until after three years of age or even much later, but it is still not possible for those characteristics to develop later in life and be considered ASD.
Those with schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or even post-traumatic stress disorder might engage in this behavior, too, added Dr. Fizur.
Maternal stress has been strongly associated with increased risk of developing ASD. Children experience multiple stressors such as separation anxiety, fear of the unknown, physical and/or emotional trauma, bullying, as well as environmental exposures.
And people with more autistic traits display a specific form of PTSD, one characterized by hyperarousal: They may be more easily startled, more likely to have insomnia, predisposed to anger and anxiety, or have greater difficulty concentrating than is seen in other forms of PTSD.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. Some people with ASD have a known difference, such as a genetic condition. Other causes are not yet known.
According to recent studies, Emotional Trauma and PTSD do cause both brain and physical damage. Neuropathologists have seen overlapping effects of physical and emotional trauma upon the brain.
Autism and anxiety can have similar symptoms, such as difficulties in social situations and with routine changes. Still, they are separate, though often co-occurring, conditions. Autism is neurodevelopmental, while anxiety is a mental health condition.
Autism is likely to have multiple genes responsible rather than a single gene. However, it is not caused by emotional deprivation or the way a person has been brought up. There is no link between autism and vaccines.
PTSD and C-PTSD are now considered by many to be within the umbrella of neurodivergence, but fall under the category of acquired neurodivergence.
Presence of one (or more) of the following symptoms of intrusion associated with the traumatic event: Recurrent, intrusive distressing memories of the traumatic event. Recurrent distressing dreams about the event. Flashbacks in which the person feels or acts as if the traumatic event is recurring.
Autism is not an illness
It means your brain works in a different way from other people. 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.
People with social anxiety have an intense fear of social situations, often fearing others' judgment. People with autism often have difficulty reading social cues. Interventions can include social skills training, occupational therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy.
The behavioral symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often appear early in development. Many children show symptoms of autism by 12 months to 18 months of age or earlier. Some early signs of autism include: Problems with eye contact.
Recent evidence has suggested that among environmental factors, maternal stress exposure may be an important factor in autism [23–25]. Psychological stress during pregnancy is important more broadly in behavioral and developmental outcomes in humans [28].
Anyone can experience sensory overload, but it is most common with people who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), autism, or sensory processing and other neurodevelopment disorders.
Avoidance of thoughts, feelings, people, places, or any reminders of what happened. Difficulty remembering details of the event. Changes in mood, memory, or thinking patterns. Hypervigilance, sleep problems, anger outbursts, or self-destructive behavior.
Brain regions that are felt to play an important role in PTSD include hippocampus, amygdala, and medial prefrontal cortex. Cortisol and norepinephrine are two neurochemical systems that are critical in the stress response (Figure 1.)