do i have autism or trauma? (autism & cptsd/ptsd)

Dr. Kim Sage, Licensed Psychologist・2 minutes read

Research shows similarities in brain differences and challenges between children who experience maltreatment and those with autism, with childhood maltreatment leading to significant brain changes in adults affecting regions like the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Both trauma and autism exhibit heightened sensitivity to sensory input and increased risk of victimization, with shared features such as impulse control difficulties, executive functioning challenges, sleep issues, and stemming behaviors, potentially exacerbated by trauma in individuals with autism.

Insights

  • Children who experience maltreatment and those with autism share similarities in brain differences and challenges, with both conditions exhibiting heightened sensitivity to sensory input and increased risk of victimization.
  • Autism often coexists with forms of relational complex trauma or PTSD, showcasing core differences like acquired vs. inherent nature, avoidance behaviors, and special interests, while also sharing features such as impulse control difficulties, executive functioning challenges, and sensory sensitivities.

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Recent questions

  • What are the similarities between childhood maltreatment and autism?

    Both childhood maltreatment and autism are linked to significant brain changes in adults, affecting regions like the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Functional connectivity patterns in the brain's fear center and prefrontal cortex are shared between autistic and traumatized children.

  • How do complex trauma/PTSD and autism differ?

    Core differences between complex trauma/PTSD and autism include acquired vs. inherent nature, avoidance behaviors, and special interests. Intrusive memories and flashbacks are common in trauma, while sensory sensitivities are a baseline trait in autism. Dissociation and intimacy difficulties are significant overlaps between complex trauma/PTSD and autism.

  • What are the common challenges shared by trauma and autism?

    Both trauma and autism exhibit heightened sensitivity to sensory input, increased risk of victimization, substance abuse, depression, and self-wounding due to nervous system dysregulation. Impulse control difficulties, executive functioning challenges, sleep issues, and stemming behaviors are shared features between trauma and autism, with trauma potentially exacerbating underlying autistic traits.

  • How do individuals with autism and trauma experience PTSD differently?

    Individuals with autism are more likely to develop PTSD symptoms after trauma, with specific characteristics like hyperarousal, startle responses, insomnia, anger, anxiety, and concentration issues. Autistic individuals may find certain experiences more traumatic, such as abandonment, sensory experiences like fire alarms, transitions, social difficulties, and events related to mental health.

  • What interventions can be helpful for individuals with autism and trauma?

    Grounding techniques, nervous system regulation, somatic therapies, and specific interventions like polyvagal techniques can be beneficial for individuals with autism and trauma. These approaches aim to address the unique challenges and sensitivities associated with both conditions, providing support for individuals dealing with the complexities of autism and trauma.

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Summary

00:00

Similarities in Brain Differences: Autism and Trauma

  • Research indicates similarities in brain differences and challenges between children who experience maltreatment and those with autism.
  • Childhood maltreatment is linked to significant brain changes in adults, affecting various brain regions like the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.
  • Functional connectivity patterns in the brain's fear center and prefrontal cortex are shared between autistic and traumatized children.
  • Autism often coexists with forms of relational complex trauma or PTSD.
  • Core differences between complex trauma/PTSD and autism include acquired vs. inherent nature, avoidance behaviors, and special interests.
  • Intrusive memories and flashbacks are common in trauma, while sensory sensitivities are a baseline trait in autism.
  • Dissociation and intimacy difficulties are significant overlaps between complex trauma/PTSD and autism.
  • Both conditions exhibit a heightened sensitivity to sensory input and increased risk of victimization.
  • Substance abuse, depression, and self-wounding are prevalent in both autism and trauma due to nervous system dysregulation.
  • Impulse control difficulties, executive functioning challenges, sleep issues, and stemming behaviors are shared features between trauma and autism, with trauma potentially exacerbating underlying autistic traits.

15:47

Autism and PTSD: Understanding the Connection

  • 70% of individuals with autism also have co-occurring mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and OCD.
  • Up to 60% of those with autism have experienced PTSD, compared to the general population.
  • Individuals with autism are more likely, up to 60-30%, to develop PTSD symptoms after trauma.
  • People with autistic traits often display a specific form of PTSD characterized by hyperarousal, startle responses, insomnia, anger, anxiety, and concentration issues.
  • Autistic individuals may find certain experiences more traumatic, such as abandonment, sensory experiences like fire alarms, transitions, social difficulties, and events related to mental health.
  • Theories suggest that factors associated with autism, like neurological and genetic factors, detailed processing, rumination, inflexible thinking, and emotion regulation difficulties, may increase the risk of developing or maintaining PTSD symptoms.
  • Grounding techniques, nervous system regulation, somatic therapies, and specific interventions like polyvagal techniques can be helpful for individuals with autism and trauma.
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