Table of Contents
Disclaimer 10
Foreword Professor Tony Aftwood 11
Acknowledgments 14
Proviso 15
Preface 16
I A History of ASD and PTSD 19
I Autism 19
II Post-traumatic stress disorder 22
III Co-occurring diagnosis of ASD and PTSD 24
II Autism Spectrum Disorder in Real Life 29
I Diagnostic criteria 30
II Neurological makeup 32
III Inherent vulnerabilities 47
IV Isolation 54
V Lack of training in real-life situations 56
VI Differential diagnoses 58
VII High functioning 60
VIII Masking 66
IX What a healthy relationship looks like for ASD 68
III Living with PTSD 73
I Criteria/causes 74
II Symptoms 80
III Treatment 87
IV ASD Meets PTSD 91
I Similar symptoms 92
II Smash-up 96
III What can cause PTSD for an autistic person? 106
V Research 121
I Challenges to research 122
II Self-advocacy 127
III Post-traumatic stress disorder 129
IV Future directions 131
VI Types of Lived Trauma over Time 135
I Rejected, ostracized, invisible 137
II Loss of relationships over time 139
III Everyday struggles 142
IV Changes in routine 144
V Overwhelming sensory input 148
VI Suicidal ideation and other self-harm 151
VII Exploitative Relationships 157
I Bullying in childhood 158
II Bullying in adulthood 161
III Gaslighting 163
IV Relationship with a narcissist 165
V Interpersonal violence (aka: domestic violence) 166
VI An important distinction between narcissistic and IPV abusers 174
VIII Challenges in Recognising Interpersonal Abuse in ASD 177
I ASD/NT interactions 178
II Myths 179
III Social interactions 183
IV Employment 186
V Sexual abuse 188
IX First Responders and Other Professionals 195
I First, do no harm 195
II Practical skills 201
III Cultural competency 204
X Finding a Helpful Therapeutic Approach 213
I Review of models 213
II Important components 217
III Developing and maintaining trust 222
IV Open communication 224
V Processing therapy 225
VI Patient rights 229
Hope for Health and Heahng 233
Epilogue 235
References 239
About the Authors 245
Subject Index 247
Auhor Index 257
