Autistic Trauma and Identity: Insights from Narrative Research
Katrine Callander shares Autistic-led PhD research into the traumatic impact that grooming and coercive control has on Autistic people, rooting her work in the complexities of late-identification, the pursuit of agency and authentic Autistic selfhood.
In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of diverse autistic presentations, accompanied by an early emerging comprehension of autistic trauma. Studies have identified elevated rates of various traumas, including coercive control and manipulation, among autistic individuals. The repercussions of these experiences can be profound, alongside long-term mental distress exacerbated by challenges in disclosure, self-blame, societal stigma, and cultural stereotypes.
Despite the common occurrence of coercive trauma in autistic individuals, there's a lack of qualitative research on its impact. Quantitative studies, while important, can't fully explore subjective effects. The absence of qualitative data stems from historical biases, reflecting a tendency to judge autism based on external appearances rather than lived experiences. These external and medicalised perspectives marginalise and disempower the significance of trauma in the lives of autistic individuals.
A University of Kent doctoral project, led by an autistic researcher, explores enduring coercive traumas in autistic individuals. Focusing on experiences of autistic women and adult identification, the research is rooted in unravelling the complex impacts of late identification, the resurfacing of trauma as well as the pursuit of agency and authentic autistic selfhood.
Compound injustices are part of the multifaceted nature of autistic trauma experiences and a few consistent themes have emerged from the pilot phase of the project. For the participants, stigma was a core aspect of both dealing with trauma and prescribed labels – both feeling alienated prior to identification and being stigmatised by wider society for being autistic. They endured social isolation, invalidation, fear of judgment, and internalised stigma, making it hard to voice their trauma or seek support. Coercive control experiences were shaped by imposed gender roles, affecting family, marriage, and work dynamics. Many felt gendered othering, wearing masks to fit social norms, hindering open discussion of their trauma.
The research revealed participants' extensive marginalisation experiences, especially in trauma contexts, where they faced dismissal, lack of recognition, and blame. For many, adult autistic identification ‘biographically disrupted’ their lives or changed its course - though often in a positive way. It prompted self-identity re-evaluation and enhanced self-acceptance despite lifelong misconceptions and insufficient support.
Key traumatic events or cumulative trauma, such as manipulation and coercive control, significantly altered their life trajectory. Traumas often caused a sense of disembodiment, with participants feeling disconnected from their bodies due to dismissed sensory experiences. Autistic identification improved their connection, fostering acceptance of sensory needs, setting boundaries, and reclaiming agency physically and mentally. Participants emphasised the value of reclaiming agency, especially after having their voices silenced following significant or cumulative trauma experiences. Reasserting autonomy and self-determination often came with a surge of anger. Many grappled with internal ableism but expressed gradually defining themselves beyond external perceptions.
Participants gained empowerment by reclaiming authorship, controlling language, and enhancing self-advocacy skills as autistic individuals and trauma survivors. Their identification played a vital role in personal growth, fostering community connections, and shaping self-concept. Actively engaging with similar narratives was essential to understanding lived experiences and challenging stereotypes.
The ongoing research still accepts new participants. Objective include generating recommendations to improve trauma support for autistic individuals and advocate for trauma-informed diagnostic practices. Through the thesis and future initiatives such as books and workshops, it will highlight unmet needs and lacking support resources. By amplifying autistic voices, including as an autistic researcher, the goal is to enhance understanding of trauma-focused care requirements and advocate for necessary changes in accommodating the trauma needs of autistic survivors.
