An Exploratory Review of the Associations between Adverse Experiences and Autism

Dodds, Robin L.

doi:10.1080/10926771.2020.1783736

Cited by 18 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 63 publications

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“…It is possible that some of these difficulties may result in, or be the result of, increased inward hostility. Studies also show that autistic people are more likely to experience trauma (Dodds, 2021), bullying (Humphrey & Hebron, 2015) and non-acceptance from others (Cage et al, 2018). This confluence of factors has the potential for high levels of self-criticism and self-blame.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The indirect effect of self-compassion in the association between autistic traits and anxiety/depression: A cross-sectional study in autistic and non-autistic adults

Galvin

Richards

2022

Autism

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This study followed a pre-registered analysis plan with the aim to investigate whether autistic traits and self-compassion are correlated in autistic adults, and to test an indirect effect of autistic traits on anxiety/depression via self-compassion. We present the findings of an online survey of 456 participants ( n = 228 autistic adults, n = 228 non-autistic adults) who completed the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Lower self-compassion was reported by autistic participants compared to non-autistic participants, and a negative correlation was found between autistic traits and self-compassion in both groups. Furthermore, an indirect association between autistic traits and anxiety/depression via self-compassion was observed in both samples. Considering that many autistic people experience co-occurring anxiety and depression, and that self-compassion is a skill that can be cultivated with practice, the findings of this study suggest that self-compassion may be a modifiable factor that could improve the mental health of this population. Lay abstract Previous research on non-autistic adults suggests self-compassion may serve to reduce mental health problems and promote psychological well-being. Correlations between autistic traits and self-compassion have been observed in non-clinical populations. In this study, we were interested in extending previous research by exploring relationships between autistic traits, self-compassion and anxiety/depression in autistic adults without intellectual disability. The findings revealed that on average autistic people reported lower self-compassion than non-autistic people. Once we accounted for levels of self-compassion in our statistical model, this resulted in a complete loss of statistical significance in the relationships between autistic traits and anxiety/depression. Self-compassion may be a useful target for clinical intervention in autistic adults with co-occurring mental health difficulties.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The indirect effect of self-compassion in the association between autistic traits and anxiety/depression: A cross-sectional study in autistic and non-autistic adults

Galvin

Richards

2022

Autism

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“…There is no question that children with Autism have significant social and communication challenges but the attribution of this to PAE is controversial (Carpita et al, 2022). While autistic symptomology can be observed in children with FASD (Stevens et al, 2013), autistic symptomology can also be the result of early childhood neglect (Bishop et al, 2007; Carpita et al, 2022; Dodds, 2021). It may be timely to consider whether it is appropriate to continue using a diagnosis of Autism as evidence for “severe” impairment in this domain, particularly given that other behavioral disorders listed by the Guide for this domain cannot be used to establish a “severe” rating (i.e., oppositional defiance disorder and conduct disorder).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An investigation of the utility of the Australian Guide to the Diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in young children

Dawe

Eggins

Betts

et al. 2023

Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research

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Background: Early diagnosis of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) assists in implementing critical early support. The challenge lies in having a diagnostic process that enables valid and reliable assessment of domains of functioning in young children, with the added complexity that many children will also have co-occurring exposure to childhood adversity that is likely to impact these domains. Methods:The aim of this study was to test a diagnostic assessment of FASD in young children using the Australian Guide to the Diagnosis of FASD. Ninety-four children (aged 3 to 7 years) with confirmed or suspected prenatal alcohol exposure were referred to two specialist FASD clinics for assessment in Queensland, Australia.Results: There was a significant risk profile with 68.1% (n = 64) children having had contact with child protection services, and most children living in kinship (n = 22, 27.7%) or foster (n = 36, 40.4%) care. Forty-one percent of the children were Indigenous Australians. The majority (64.9%, n = 61) of children met criteria for FASD, 30.9% were classified as "At Risk" for FASD (n = 29), and 4.3% received no FASD diagnosis (n = 4). Only 4 (4%) children were rated as severe for the brain domain. Over 60% of children (n = 58) had two or more comorbid diagnoses. Sensitivity analyses indicated that the removal of comorbid diagnoses in the Attention, Affect Regulation, or Adaptive Functioning domains resulted in a change in 7 of 47 cases (15%) to an "At Risk" designation.Conclusions: These results highlight the complexity of presentation and the extent of impairment in the sample. The use of comorbid diagnoses to substantiate a "severe" designation in specific neurodevelopmental domains raises the question of whether there were false-positive diagnoses. The complexity of determining causal relationships between exposure to PAE and early life adversity on developmental outcomes continues to be a challenge in this young population.

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“…In addition, neurodiverse individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and ADHD are more likely to have experienced multiple adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) than neurotypical peers (39)(40)(41). Findings extend to differences in clinically relevant cognitive functions such as impairments in general intelligence, executive function, processing speed, memory, perceptual reasoning, and verbal comprehension (42).…”

Section: Does the Relative Risk Of Mental Illness Amongst Young People Who Have Experienced Aces Differ Across Intersectionality Factors?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Creative arts and digital interventions: A discussion for prevention and recovery from mental health consequences of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Shakoor¹,

Mankee-Williams²,

Otis³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are a serious public health concern. They effect mental health across the lifespan, lead to social, emotional and cognitive impairment and reduce life expectancy by up to 20 years. Young people experiencing ACEs are highly vulnerable, and therapeutic service provision has limited capacity and in some places poor access (e.g. isolated rural localities). Research, policy and practice is becoming more cognisant of the needs of people living with the consequences of ACEs. However, individual and social factors (i.e. age, ethnic and gender identity, neurodiversity) are neglected. Arts interventions are recognised as offering significant benefits, especially for culturally diverse groups and young people, and for those with limited literacy or inability to verbally express and articulate their emotional worries. Digital and creative arts interventions offer a range of creative opportunities, involving emotional activation and processing, and all self-determined in terms of the degree of participation in preferred creative activities. So the interventions may be personalised and ensure ACE exposed young people are not re-traumatised and have a positive experience of therapeutic efforts. This paper provides a rapid scoping review of the empirical evidence on creative arts and digital interventions for prevention of ACEs and recovery from the mental health consequences of ACEs.

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An Exploratory Review of the Associations between Adverse Experiences and Autism

Cited by 18 publications

References 63 publications

The indirect effect of self-compassion in the association between autistic traits and anxiety/depression: A cross-sectional study in autistic and non-autistic adults

The indirect effect of self-compassion in the association between autistic traits and anxiety/depression: A cross-sectional study in autistic and non-autistic adults

An investigation of the utility of the Australian Guide to the Diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in young children

Creative arts and digital interventions: A discussion for prevention and recovery from mental health consequences of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

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