Why are autistic people more vulnerable to trauma?

If you're autistic and have experienced trauma, you're not alone. Studies suggest that up to 50% of autistic adults meet the criteria for complex PTSD (C-PTSD). Yet, trauma in autistic people is often ignored or mistaken for autism itself, leaving many feeling unheard and unsupported. Understanding how trauma affects autistic people can help you recognise your experiences and find the right kind of support.

Being autistic in a world that isn’t designed for you can be exhausting. From an early age, you may have been expected to hide your natural behaviours (‘masking’) to fit in, which can lead to chronic stress and burnout. Many autistic people face environments that feel overwhelming or unaccommodating, causing distress that others may not fully understand.

Common sources of trauma for autistic people include:

• Sensory overload: Bright lights, loud noises, and crowded spaces can feel unbearable, yet your distress might have been dismissed as an overreaction.
• Social exclusion and bullying: Many autistic people experience bullying or isolation, both as children and adults, leading to feelings of loneliness and rejection.
• Medical and educational trauma: Schools and professionals may have focused on making you fit in rather than helping you thrive as you are.
• Being misunderstood: Others might have misinterpreted your emotions or struggles, leading to experiences of invalidation and frustration.

These experiences can lead to a cycle of trauma where the world’s response to your autism makes life even harder, rather than offering the understanding and support you need.

Recognising trauma responses in yourself

If you have ever felt exhausted from masking, overwhelmed by emotions, or disconnected from yourself, you might be experiencing the effects of trauma. Many responses that people think are ‘just autism’ may actually be signs of trauma.

Some common trauma responses include:

• Meltdowns (fight response): Overwhelming emotions that explode outward when you can’t hold them in anymore.
• Shutdowns (freeze response): Feeling unable to speak, move, or engage with the world around you.
• Masking (fawn response): Hiding your true self to keep others happy, even if it’s exhausting.
• Burnout (flop response): Feeling completely drained, numb, or disconnected from everything.

Recognising these responses as part of trauma, rather than just ‘being autistic,’ can help you start to find ways to heal.

How to find the right support

Healing from trauma doesn’t mean changing who you are—it means finding ways to feel safe and valued as yourself. The right support should help you understand your experiences and build self-trust, rather than pressuring you to ‘fit in’ more.

Here’s what to look for when seeking help:

1. Find professionals who understand autism and trauma

Many therapists don’t fully understand how trauma affects autistic people. Look for professionals who are neurodiversity-affirming and take a trauma-informed approach.

2. Seek validation, not just coping strategies

Therapy should help you feel heard and understood, not just teach you how to ‘manage’ your reactions. If someone is trying to change who you are rather than support your well-being, they might not be the right fit.

3. Learn to trust yourself again

Many autistic people have been told to ignore their own feelings to make others comfortable. A good therapist or support group will help you rebuild confidence in your own needs and boundaries.

4. Find spaces where you feel safe to be yourself

Whether it’s online communities, neurodivergent-led therapy, or autistic peer support groups, being in a space where you don’t have to mask or explain yourself can be incredibly healing.

5. Don’t accept harmful ‘therapies’

Any approach that tries to suppress your natural way of being rather than support your well-being is not real support. Healing comes from understanding and acceptance, not from trying to ‘fix’ your autism.

Moving towards healing

You deserve support that sees and values you as you are. If you’ve experienced trauma, know that it’s not your fault, and you don’t have to navigate it alone. The right help can make all the difference—validating your experiences, giving you tools to cope, and helping you build a life where you feel safe and understood.

If you’re looking for support, consider reaching out to professionals who specialise in working with autistic trauma, or connect with others who understand what you’re going through. You are not broken, and healing is possible.