Research conducted separately in the areas of PTSD and ASD strongly suggests several potential pathways connecting both disorders. We conclude that there is a pressing need for more PTSD-ASD research, focusing not only on the prevalence of traumatic stress in individuals with autism, but also on their potentially unique perception of traumatic events, particularly from the social sphere. Such research may carry important clinical implications. (PsycINFO Database Record

People with Autism Spectrum Disorder show an increased risk of experiencing potentially traumatic events, particularly social victimization. However, Autism Spectrum Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder co-occurrence was hardly studied. We examined exposure to potentially traumatic life events and PTSD symptoms in adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder vs typical adults. Twenty-five adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and 25 typical adults were comparable on age and gender. Participants self-reported on potentially traumatic life events of social and non-social nature, and on PTSD symptoms related to their most distressing event. Results showed higher rates of probable-Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in the Autism Spectrum Disorder group (32%) compared with the typical adults group (4%). Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder reported more PTSD symptoms, particularly re-experiencing and hyper-arousal, compared with typical adults, although the latter was elevated only in females with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Participants with Autism Spectrum Disorder, especially females, reported more negative life events, particularly social events, than typical adults. Sixty percent of Autism Spectrum Disorder participants, but only 20% of typical adults, chose a social event as their most distressing event. Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and probable-Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder co-occurrence presented poorer social skills compared with those with Autism Spectrum Disorder alone. Results indicate increased vulnerability of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder to trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, especially due to social stressors. Females with Autism Spectrum Disorder may be particularly vulnerable to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Lay Abstract People with Autism Spectrum Disorder show an increased risk of experiencing traumatic events, particularly social victimization. However, Autism Spectrum Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder co-occurrence was hardly studied. We examined exposure to traumatic life events and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms in adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder vs typical adults. Two groups took part in this study: Twenty-five adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and 25 typical adults of similar age and male to female ratio. Participants completed questionnaires on potentially traumatic life events of social and non-social nature, as well as on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms related to their most distressing event. Participants also filled out an autism traits questionnaire. Results showed a higher Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder rate in the Autism Spectrum Disorder group (32%) compared with the typical group (4%). Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder reported more Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms, particularly re-experiencing and increased physiological arousal, compared with typical adults, although the latter was elevated only in females with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Participants with Autism Spectrum Disorder, especially females, reported more negative life events, particularly social events, than typical adults. Sixty percent of Autism Spectrum Disorder participants, but only 20% of typical participants, chose a social event as their most distressing event. Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder who were also suspected as having Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (based on their questionnaires) presented poorer social skills compared with those with Autism Spectrum Disorder alone. Results indicate that individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder are more susceptible to trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, particularly due to social stressors. Females with Autism Spectrum Disorder may be especially vulnerable to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

No abstract

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by social communication difficulties and restricted, repetitive behaviors. Autism spectrum disorder is highly co-morbid with other neuro-psychiatric disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, and depression. However, research on post-traumatic stress disorder among individuals with autism spectrum disorder is scarce. Furthermore, the understanding of shared mechanisms underlying autism spectrum disorder co-morbidity with other conditions may assist in both diagnostic and intervention efforts with affected individuals. This short report examined the role of brooding and reflective rumination as mediators between autism spectrum disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. A total of 34 adults with autism spectrum disorder (with no intellectual impairment) and 66 typically developing controls, comparable on age and gender, filled out the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 and the Rumination Response Scale. The results indicated increased post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, as well as elevated brooding levels, in adults with autism spectrum disorder, compared to typically developing controls. Brooding, but not reflective rumination, mediated the association between autism spectrum disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. Rumination and cognitive inflexibility, which are common in autism spectrum disorder, may exacerbate post-traumatic symptoms among traumatized individuals who have autism spectrum disorder. Interventions targeting brooding rumination and cognitive flexibility may assist in alleviating post-traumatic symptoms in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Future studies should examine other psychological mechanisms which may underlie the autism spectrum disorder–post-traumatic stress disorder co-morbidity. Lay abstract Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by social communication difficulties and restricted repetitive behaviors. Individuals with autism spectrum disorder are often diagnosed with other psychiatric conditions, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, and depression. However, research on post-traumatic stress disorder among individuals with autism spectrum disorder is scarce. Nonetheless, studies have shown that those with autism spectrum disorder may face an increased risk of exposure to traumatic events. Separate lines of research in autism spectrum disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder have shown that the two may share several vulnerability factors. One of those is ruminative thinking, that is, one’s tendency to re-hash thoughts and ideas, in a repetitive manner. This article examined the role of two rumination types as potential factors connecting autism spectrum disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder: brooding (continuously comparing one’s current condition to one’s desired condition) and reflection (an introspective effort to cognitively solve one’s problems). A total of 34 adults with autism spectrum disorder (with no intellectual impairment) and 66 typically developing adults completed questionnaires assessing post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and rumination. The results showed increased post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in adults with autism spectrum disorder, compared to typically developing adults. Brooding rumination was also higher among those with autism spectrum disorder. Finally, brooding, but not reflection, served as a mechanism connecting autism spectrum disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, that is, those with autism spectrum disorder showed increased brooding, which in turn predicted more post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. This study has potential clinical implications. Rumination and cognitive inflexibility, which are common in autism spectrum disorder, could exacerbate post-traumatic symptoms among individuals with autism spectrum disorder who experience traumatic events. Interventions targeting brooding rumination and cognitive flexibility may assist in alleviating post-traumatic symptoms in individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

Background and aimsAlthough studies show that those suffering from autism spectrum disorders (ASD) face an increased risk of exposure to trauma (bullying, physical abuse), the co-morbidity between autistic symptoms/traits and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was almost entirely neglected by researchers. The aim of this preliminary study is to explore the possible associations between these two conditions among typically-developing college students.MethodsParticipants were 39 students, recruited from 2 Israeli universities. Twenty-four participants were psychology students, and 15 were business administration students. Participants completed self-report questionnaires tapping sociodemographic background, trauma exposure, PTSD (the PTSD Checklist-5, PCL-5), and autistic traits (the Autism Spectrum Quotient, AQ).ResultsOur preliminary findings revealed a positive association between symptoms of PTSD and autistic traits. More specifically, among those in the 3rd and 4th highest quartiles of AQ scores, 87.5% met the cut-off score for a probable PTSD diagnosis (χ2 (3) = 8.25, P < 0.05). In addition, t-tests comparing the PTSD and non-PTSD groups showed significant differences in 3 out of 5 AQ sub-scales: social skill (t(37) = –2.12; P < 0.05), attention switching (t(37) = −2.09; P < 0.05) and communication (t(37) = −2.80; P < 0.01). Thus, higher AQ scores were reported by those in the PTSD group.ConclusionsASD may serve as a significant risk factor for post-traumatic symptomatology. The associations between these two conditions may be mediated by a variety of potential shared vulnerabilities, including increased rumination, dysregulated emotion and impaired social cognition. Further research is needed in order to explore these mechanisms, as well as to assess co-morbidity in clinical samples of both ASD and PTSD.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.