Autism, Trauma and Autistic Trauma: The Autism Dialogue Approach Workshop with Jonny Drury and Kate Salinsky

An introduction to autistic and related neurodivergent trauma, cumulative post-traumatic stress, new social-cognitive science and working with traumatised autistic clients using elements of the Autism Dialogue Approach®.

Autistic trauma is fundamentally different to standard definitions and many autistic people present with Autistic (cumulative/complex) c-PTSD, and there are instances where trauma experienced by autistic individuals may not align with current diagnostic criteria. Autistic individuals often encounter a narrative that emphasises neurotypical standards from an early age, which later manifests in mental health and therapy settings through symptoms like flashbacks, dissociation, and delayed emotional processing. Unfortunately, instances of autistic trauma are frequently misunderstood or downplayed as mere ‘drama,’ ‘attention-seeking,’ ‘control-seeking,’ or ‘unwarranted antisocial behaviour.’

One important element of this workshop is ‘masking’ and other trauma responses. Literature has depicted autistic masking as a social tactic—an approach to navigate social scenarios. However, autistic individuals explain that masking isn’t solely about appearing more neurotypical; it involves projecting an acceptable and expected version of oneself to ensure safety in interactions.

Accessing and utilising therapy can clearly be a challenge for autistic and neurodivergent clients, compared to the general population. Equally, therapists are facing major challenges when interacting and communicating across neurotypes, potentially triggering and re-traumatising autistic people. This is in part due to models rooted in behavioural approaches designed by and for neurotypical populations. There will be an opportunity to engage with this and other equally important questions using a safe and inclusive dialogic approach.

Learning Objective Participants Can Expect From This Event

• Introduction to Autistic and Neurodivergent Trauma, complex-post traumatic stress, new social-cognitive science and working with traumatised autistic clients and patients.

• Introduction to new practices, including ADA® for addressing autistic and neurodivergent trauma in a range of cross-neurotype situations.

• Gain confidence and insight in spotting trauma and cross-neurotype support with traumatised autistic persons.

Who is This Workshop Appropriate For?

• Anyone in relational work, particularly counsellors, psychotherapists, OTs, SLTs, autism coaches, and autism mental health professionals.

How May This Workshop Impact Your Practice?

• ADA trauma-specific applications will place you and your practice at the cutting edge of autistic social cognitive science, and improve access to treatment and outcomes for your autistic clients and patients.

Additional Resources:

• Cassidy, S. A., Robertson, A., Townsend, E., O’Connor, R. C., & Rodgers, J. (2020). Advancing our understanding of self-harm, suicidal thoughts and behaviours in autism. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 50, 3445-3449.
• Chapman R, Botha M. (2023) Neurodivergence-informed therapy. Dev Med Child Neurol. 65(3):310-317. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36082483/
• De Jaegher H. (2013) Embodiment and sense-making in autism. Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience, 7(15) http://hannedejaegher.net
• Hogenkamp, L. (2018). Is Autism a Stress Adaptation of Neurodivergent Neurotypes? https://peripheralmindsofautism.com/2018/04/17/is-autism-a-stress-adaptation/
• MacLeod, A., Robertson, C., & Lewis, A. (2013). ““Why should I be like bloody Rainman?!” Navigating the autistic identity”. British Journal of Special Education, 40(1), 41-49. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8578.12015
• Miller, D., Rees, J., & Pearson, A. (2021). “Masking is life”: Experiences of masking in autistic and nonautistic adults. Autism in Adulthood, 3(4), 330-338.
• Milton, D. (2012) On the ontological status of autism: the ‘double empathy problem’, Disability & Society, 27:6, 883-887, DOI: 10.1080/09687599.2012.710008
• Murray, D., Lesser, M., & Lawson, W. (2005). Attention, monotropism and the diagnostic criteria for autism. Autism, 9(2), 139–156. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361305051398
• National Autistic Society & MIND (no date). Good Practice Guide for Professionals Delivering Talking Therapies for Autistic Adults and Children. https://www.mind.org.uk/media/11912/nas-good-practice-guide-a4.pdf
• Pearson A, & Rose K. (2021). A Conceptual Analysis of Autistic Masking: Understanding the Narrative of Stigma and the Illusion of Choice. Autism Adulthood. 3(1):52-60. doi: 10.1089/aut.2020.0043. Epub 2021 Mar 18. PMID: 36601266; PMCID: PMC8992880.
• Rumball, F., Happé, F., & Grey, N. (2020). Experience of trauma and PTSD symptoms in autistic adults: risk of PTSD development following DSM‐5 and non‐DSM‐5 traumatic life events. Autism Research, 13(12), 2122-2132. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.2306
• Severs, J. (2018). Three golden rules for supporting autistic pupils. Retrieved from https://www.tes.com/news/three-golden-rules-supporting-autistic-pupils
• Sign up to our mailing list: mailchi.mp/1903d109cf81/dialogica

Please note this is a professional development (CPD) event for therapists, coaches and health professionals with invited audience engagement. However, autism and trauma are emotive topics and the sensitive content may trigger deep and unpredictable responses. Facilitators may invite comments at specific points in the programme, and we kindly ask you to share reservedly and be respectful of others and in a timely manner. Thank you for your understanding.