Neurodiversity and Trauma

Jo has a particular interest and experience in assessing autism in people who have also experienced difficulties in their childhood and family lives, for example, where they have experienced instability, neglect and harm. There are many experiences which can shape a person over time. Sometimes, experiences of abuse, neglect and relationship difficulties can influence how people relate socially, how flexible they are in their thinking, behaviour and relationships and how they experience, integrate and respond to sensory information which are also all core characteristics of autism. It is important that an autism assessment takes into account the range of factors which may have affected a person over the course of their life and sometimes, there needs to be a more detailed consideration of the influence of trauma alongside potential underlying neurodiversity.