Elevated Vulnerability: Addressing Abuse Among Neurodivergent Individuals.
The prevalence of abuse among neurodivergent individuals is a concerning reality that often goes unrecognized or underreported. Neurodivergent individuals, including those with conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and sensory processing disorder (SPD), are at a higher risk of experiencing various forms of abuse compared to their neurotypical counterparts. This heightened vulnerability can be attributed to several factors inherent to neurodiversity and societal misconceptions about neurodivergence.
Susceptible to Manipulation, Coercion, and Exploitation.
One contributing factor is the social and communication challenges that neurodivergent individuals may face. Difficulties in understanding social cues, interpreting nonverbal communication, and expressing oneself effectively can make it harder for them to recognize abusive behavior or assert boundaries in relationships. This can leave them more susceptible to manipulation, coercion, and exploitation by others.
Difficulties in Seeking Help.
Furthermore, neurodivergent individuals may experience difficulties in advocating for themselves or seeking help when faced with abusive situations. They may fear not being believed or understood due to misconceptions and stigmas surrounding their conditions. Additionally, their experiences of abuse may be minimized or dismissed by others who attribute their distress to their neurodivergence rather than recognizing it as a legitimate consequence of abuse.
A 2018 study by Jonathan Weiss and Michelle Fardella analyzing victimization and perpetration experiences of people with autism showed that during their childhood, individuals with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) were significantly more susceptible to various forms of victimization compared to their peers without ASC. Specifically, they were about 7 times more likely to report experiencing property crime, primarily due to a heightened risk of being robbed. Additionally, those with ASC were 4 times more likely to report experiencing child maltreatment, including physical abuse, as well as psychological or emotional abuse from adults. Furthermore, individuals with ASC were significantly more vulnerable to peer victimization, with a 27 times higher likelihood of experiencing teasing, a 4 times higher likelihood of encountering bullying, and a 7 times higher likelihood of experiencing sexual assault by a peer, in comparison to individuals without ASC. [1]
Data collected from 1997 to 2000 through the national evaluation of the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and their Families Program on 156 children with autism shows that 18.5% of children with autism had been physically abused and 16.6% had been sexually abused.[2]
A study on linkages between child abuse and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in girls reveals that girls with ADHD exhibited markedly higher rates of abuse (14.3%) compared to the comparison group (4.5%), with the majority of cases occurring among girls diagnosed with the Combined type rather than the Inattentive type. (Briscoe-Smith, A.M., Hinshaw S.P., 2006).[3]
It’s important to recognize that the prevalence of abuse among neurodivergent individuals is not inherent to their conditions but rather stems from systemic barriers, societal attitudes, and inadequate support systems that fail to adequately address their unique needs. To address this issue, it is essential to:
Raise Awareness: Educate individuals, caregivers, professionals, and the broader community about the increased risk of abuse faced by neurodivergent individuals and the specific challenges they may encounter in recognizing and responding to abusive situations.
Provide Support: Ensure that neurodivergent individuals have access to appropriate support services, including trauma-informed therapy, advocacy resources, and crisis intervention services tailored to their unique needs.
Foster Empowerment: Empower neurodivergent individuals to advocate for themselves, assert their boundaries, and access support when needed. This may involve providing tools and resources for self-advocacy, teaching assertiveness skills, and promoting autonomy and self-determination.
Address Systemic Barriers: Address systemic barriers within healthcare, education, and social services that may contribute to the heightened vulnerability of neurodivergent individuals to abuse. This includes improving accessibility, promoting inclusive practices, and challenging stereotypes and misconceptions about neurodiversity.
By recognizing and addressing the higher prevalence of abuse among neurodivergent individuals, we can work towards creating a safer and more supportive environment that respects and protects the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their neurological differences.
Navigating the Challenges: Reporting Abuse for Individuals with Autism.
Reporting abuse is a daunting task for anyone, but for individuals with autism, it presents even greater challenges due to their unique cognitive and communication differences. One significant obstacle faced by individuals with autism when reporting abuse is their difficulty in accessing autobiographical memory and accurately describing events in chronological order.
Autobiographical memory involves the recollection of personal experiences and events from one’s past. For individuals with autism, difficulties with autobiographical memory can stem from challenges in processing and organizing sensory information, as well as deficits in language and communication skills. As a result, recalling specific details about incidents of abuse, such as when and where they occurred, can be particularly challenging.
Moreover, individuals with autism may struggle to articulate their thoughts and emotions in a coherent and linear manner, making it difficult for them to provide a clear and consistent account of their experiences. Communication difficulties, such as limited verbal expression, echolalia (repetition of words or phrases), and difficulty understanding abstract language or metaphors, further compound the challenge of reporting abuse effectively.
Additionally, individuals with autism may face barriers in navigating the complex social and emotional dynamics involved in disclosing abuse. They may have difficulty understanding social cues, interpreting the intentions of others, and distinguishing between appropriate and inappropriate behavior. This can make it harder for them to recognize instances of abuse and to communicate their concerns to others.
Furthermore, the fear of not being believed or understood by authorities or caregivers can deter individuals with autism from reporting abuse. Past experiences of negative interactions or misunderstandings may also contribute to a reluctance to disclose sensitive information.
To address these challenges and support individuals with autism in reporting abuse, it is essential to provide specialized resources and accommodations. This may include:
Tailored communication supports: Providing individuals with autism with visual aids, social stories, or communication devices to help them express themselves more effectively and accurately.
Sensory accommodations: Creating a safe and comfortable environment for reporting abuse, taking into account sensory sensitivities and preferences.
Advocate support: Offering the presence of a trusted advocate or support person during the reporting process to provide reassurance, guidance, and assistance in navigating social interactions.
Training for professionals: Providing training for law enforcement officers, healthcare providers, and other professionals on recognizing the unique needs of individuals with autism and responding sensitively to reports of abuse.
By addressing these barriers and providing appropriate support and accommodations, we can help empower individuals with autism to report abuse and access the protection and justice they deserve. It is crucial to ensure that their voices are heard, and their rights are upheld in all aspects of the reporting process.
Ilse Gevaert is a psychologist and coach with expertise in neurodiversity (ASD and ADHD), giftedness, trauma, narcissistic abuse, and resilience. Ilse continued her education at prestigious institutions such as Harvard and Cornell, where she obtained leadership certificates that have informed her practice.
References
[1] Weiss JA, Fardella MA. Victimization and Perpetration Experiences of Adults With Autism. Front Psychiatry. 2018 May 25;9:203. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00203. PMID: 29887806; PMCID: PMC5980973.
[2] Mandell DS, Walrath CM, Manteuffel B, Sgro G, Pinto-Martin JA. The prevalence and correlates of abuse among children with autism served in comprehensive community-based mental health settings. Child Abuse Negl. 2005 Dec;29(12):1359-72. doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2005.06.006. Epub 2005 Nov 15. PMID: 16293306.
[3] Briscoe-Smith AM, Hinshaw SP. Linkages between child abuse and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in girls: behavioral and social correlates. Child Abuse Negl. 2006 Nov;30(11):1239-55. doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2006.04.008. Epub 2006 Nov 9. PMID: 17097140; PMCID: PMC1934403.
