Nothing for us, without us: a review of the clinical literature and discursive evidence of interpersonal trauma in autistic women

This publication is included in the Autistic Autism Scholarship Project. one author of this publication is identified as autistic in the project.

About the autistic author marker

Schnabel, A. & Bastow, C. (2023). Nothing for us, without us: a review of the clinical literature and discursive evidence of interpersonal trauma in autistic women. Advances in Autism, 9(4), 322-339. https://doi.org/10.1108/aia-11-2021-0046

Publication date: 13 Apr 2023 Added to AutiHub: 8 Sep 2026 Type: Article Article language: English

This publication is integrated into AutiHub through:

Authors

Publication authors
2
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 2 (50.0%)

Abstract

Purpose From the authors’ personal and professional experiences, they have observed that autistic women are uniquely at risk of interpersonal trauma. Given the tendency for autistic women to be overlooked in research and practice, this study aims to rectify this by exploring the relevant literature and including the voices of autistic women throughout this paper. Design/methodology/approach This study completed a literature review of quantitative and qualitative data relating to exposure to interpersonal trauma in autistic women. This study also reviewed relevant discursive evidence available on in memoirs and reports. This study also included dialogue between us as authors from an auto/“Autie”-ethnographic position. Findings Both clinical literature and discursive evidence support the idea that autistic women are uniquely at risk of interpersonal trauma, in particular, sexual victimisation. Explanatory factors are considered. Studies exploring rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were less consistent. Further evidence is required to better understand how autistic women experience and express PTSD and to inform assessment and treatment modifications. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper to integrate clinical literature and discursive evidence on the topic of interpersonal trauma in autistic women. It provides useful insights into the experiences of autistic women in this space, directions for urgently needed future research and modifications to clinical practice.

Bibliography cited by this reference

Cited references are imported from external metadata sources when they are available. The list may be partial.

Cited bibliography overview

These indicators describe the bibliography cited by this publication. An author name is counted each time it appears in one cited reference, so the same person can be counted more than once. Names not yet linked to an author already present in AutiHub are treated as unknown, not as non-autistic. Last computed: 12 Sep 2026 01:04.

Cited references
60
With a DOI
48
Without a DOI, from raw bibliography text
12
6 / 60 (10.0%) cited references include at least one author identified as autistic.
References with data to complete
11 / 60 (18.3%)
References with detected author names
49 / 60 (81.7%)
Without detected author names
11
Without a structured title
4
Without a stable identifier
12
References with raw author names still to review
4
References with external metadata lookup issues
0
These indicators apply to cited references displayed on this page, after technical duplicates have been merged. A reference without a DOI can still support author statistics when a title and author names are available.
Author names detected in the cited bibliography
192
From DOI or external metadata
192
From validated raw bibliography text
0
Raw names already validated
0
Raw names still to review
10
89 / 192 (46.4%) names are linked to an author already present in AutiHub. 103 / 192 (53.6%) names are not yet linked.
Names linked to a person identified as autistic
6 / 192 (3.1%)
Calculated across all author names detected in the cited bibliography. Among names linked to an author already present in AutiHub: 6 / 89 (6.7%). Distinct people identified as autistic: 6 / 164 (3.7%).
  1. Joyce Davidson , Sophie Tamas (2016). Autism and the ghost of gender . Emotion, Space and Society, 19(October), 59-65. Elsevier BV.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  2. Clare Sarah Allely (2019). Understanding and recognising the female phenotype of autism spectrum disorder and the “camouflage” hypothesis: a systematic PRISMA review . Advances in Autism, 5(1), 14-37. Emerald.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  3. Sarah Griffiths , Carrie Allison , Rebecca Kenny , Rosemary Holt , Paula Smith , Simon Baron-Cohen (2019). The Vulnerability Experiences Quotient (VEQ): A Study of Vulnerability, Mental Health and Life Satisfaction in Autistic Adults . Autism Research, 12(10), 1516-1528. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1002/aur.2162 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2949176131
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  4. I. Carina Gillberg , Adam Helles , Eva Billstedt , Christopher Gillberg (2016). Boys with Asperger Syndrome Grow Up: Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Disorders 20 Years After Initial Diagnosis . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 46(1), 74-82. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  5. Clare Sarah Allely , Lino Faccini (2019). The importance of considering trauma in individuals with autism spectrum disorder: considerations and clinical recommendations . Journal of Forensic Practice, 22(1), 23. Emerald.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  6. Varun Warrier , David M. Greenberg , Elizabeth M Weir , Clara Buckingham , Paula Smith , Meng-Chuan Lai et al. (2020). Elevated rates of autism, other neurodevelopmental and psychiatric diagnoses, and autistic traits in transgender and gender-diverse individuals . Nature Communications, 11(1), 1. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  7. Björn Hofvander , Richard Delorme , Pauline Chaste , Agneta Nydén , Elisabet Wentz , Ola Ståhlberg et al. (2009). Psychiatric and psychosocial problems in adults with normal-intelligence autism spectrum disorders . BMC Psychiatry, 9(1), 1. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  8. Australian Institute of Health , Welfare (2021). Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Data in Australia . Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Data in Australia.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  9. Katharina Dworzynski , Angelica Ronald , Patrick Bolton , Francesca Happé (2012). How Different Are Girls and Boys Above and Below the Diagnostic Threshold for Autism Spectrum Disorders? Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 51(8), 788-797. Elsevier BV.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  10. Susanna Baldwin , Debra Costley (2016). The experiences and needs of female adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder . Autism, 20(4), 483-495. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  11. Patricia J. M. Van Wijngaarden-Cremers , Evelien van Eeten , Wouter B. Groen , Patricia A. Van Deurzen , Iris J. Oosterling , Rutger Jan Van der Gaag (2014). Gender and Age Differences in the Core Triad of Impairments in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44(3), 627-635. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  12. Melissa Kirkovski , Peter G. Enticott , Paul B. Fitzgerald (2013). A Review of the Role of Female Gender in Autism Spectrum Disorders . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43(11), 2584-2603. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  13. Daniel Schöttle , Peer Briken , Oliver Tüscher , Daniel Turner (2017). Sexuality in autism: hypersexual and paraphilic behavior in women and men with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder . Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 19(4), 381-393. Informa UK Limited.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  14. Mohamad Mehtar , Nahit Motavalli Mukaddes (2011). Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in individuals with diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorders . Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 5(1), 539-546. Elsevier BV.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  15. Blakemore, M., Robertson, G., Hansford, S., Richardson, T., Dalcombe, J., Smith, S. and McCaffrey, N. (2017), “Multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination against autistic women”, [online], available at: www.australianautismalliance.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Autistic-Women.pdf (accessed 29 November 2021).
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  16. Meng-Chuan Lai , Caroline Kassee , Richard Besney , Sarah Bonato , Laura Hull , Will Mandy et al. (2019). Prevalence of co-occurring mental health diagnoses in the autism population: a systematic review and meta-analysis . The Lancet Psychiatry, 6(10), 819-829. Elsevier BV.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  17. S. M. Brown-Lavoie , M. A. Viecili , Jonathan A. Weiss (2014). Sexual Knowledge and Victimization in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44(9), 2185-2196. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  18. Sarah Cassidy , K. Gould , E. Townsend , Mirabel Pelton , Ashley Robertson , Jacqui Rodgers (2020). Is Camouflaging Autistic Traits Associated with Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviours? Expanding the Interpersonal Psychological Theory of Suicide in an Undergraduate Student Sample . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50(10), 3638-3648. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  19. Laura A. Pecora , Grace I. Hancock , Gary B. Mesibov , Mark A Stokes (2019). Characterising the Sexuality and Sexual Experiences of Autistic Females . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49(12), 4834-4846. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  20. Connor M. Kerns , Philip C. Kendall , Hana Zickgraf , Martin E. Franklin , Judith S. Miller , John Herrington (2015). Not to Be Overshadowed or Overlooked: Functional Impairments Associated With Comorbid Anxiety Disorders in Youth With ASD . Behavior Therapy, 46(1), 29-39. Elsevier BV.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  21. Fabienne Cazalis , Elisabeth Reyes , Séverine Leduc , David Gourion (2022). Evidence That Nine Autistic Women Out of Ten Have Been Victims of Sexual Violence . Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 16, 1. Frontiers Media SA.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  22. Connor M. Kerns , Stephen Lankenau , Paul Shattuck , Diana L Robins , Craig J Newschaffer , Steven J Berkowitz (2022). Exploring potential sources of childhood trauma: A qualitative study with autistic adults and caregivers . Autism, 26(8), 1987-1998. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  23. Vide Ohlsson Gotby , Paul Lichtenstein , Niklas Långström , Erik Pettersson (2018). Childhood neurodevelopmental disorders and risk of coercive sexual victimization in childhood and adolescence: A population-based prospective twin study. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 59(9), 957-965. Wiley.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  24. Elise Robinson , Paul Lichtenstein , Henrik Anckarsäter , Francesca Happé , Angelica Ronald (2013). Examining and interpreting the female protective effect against autistic behavior . Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 110(13), 5258-5262. National Academy of Sciences.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  25. Kate Seers , Rachel C Hogg (2021). ‘You don’t look autistic’: A qualitative exploration of women’s experiences of being the ‘autistic other’ . Autism, 25(6), 1553-1564. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  26. Julie Taylor , Katherine Gotham (2016). Cumulative life events, traumatic experiences, and psychiatric symptomatology in transition-aged youth with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 8(1), 1. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  27. Vicki Gibbs , Jennie Hudson , Ye In (Jane) Hwang , Samuel R. C. Arnold , Julian Trollor , Elizabeth Pellicano (2021). Experiences of physical and sexual violence as reported by autistic adults without intellectual disability: Rate, gender patterns and clinical correlates . Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 89, 101866. Elsevier BV.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  28. Laura Graham Holmes , Donald S. Strassberg , Michael B. Himle (2020). Family Sexuality Communication: Parent Report for Autistic Young Adults Versus a Comparison Group . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50(8), 3018-3031. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  29. Lucie Kanfiszer , Fran Davies , Suzanne Collins (2017). ‘I was just so different’: The experiences of women diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder in adulthood in relation to gender and social relationships . Autism, 21(6), 661-669. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  30. Nirit Haruvi-Lamdan , Danny Horesh , Shani Zohar , Meital Kraus , Ofer Golan (2020). Autism Spectrum Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: An unexplored co-occurrence of conditions . Autism, 24(4), 884-898. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  31. Freya Rumball , Francesca Happé , Nick Grey (2020). Experience of Trauma and PTSD Symptoms in Autistic Adults: Risk of PTSD Development Following DSM ‐5 and Non‐DSM ‐5 Traumatic Life Events . Autism Research, 13(12), 2122-2132. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1002/aur.2306 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3016541693
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  32. Rachel Loomes , Laura Hull , Will Mandy (2017). What Is the Male-to-Female Ratio in Autism Spectrum Disorder? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis . Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 56(6), 466-474. Elsevier BV.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  33. Paul Heilker , Melanie Yergeau *Autistic author. Learn more… (2011). Autism and Rhetoric . College English, 73(5), 485-497. National Council of Teachers of English.
  34. Dori Zener (2019). Journey to diagnosis for women with autism . Advances in Autism, 5(1), 2-13. Emerald.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  35. Laura Hull , Will Mandy (2017). Protective Effect or Missed Diagnosis? Females with Autism Spectrum Disorder . Future Neurology, 12(3), 159-169. Informa UK Limited.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  36. (2015). Women and Girls with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Understanding Life Experiences from Early Childhood to Old Age . Women and Girls with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Understanding Life Experiences from Early Childhood to Old Age.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  37. Freya Rumball (2019). A Systematic Review of the Assessment and Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders . Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 6(3), 294-324. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  38. (2015). Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence—from Domestic Abuse to Political Terror . Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence—from Domestic Abuse to Political Terror.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  39. Elizabeth Kock , Andre Strydom , Deirdre O’Brady , Digby Tantam (2019). Autistic women’s experience of intimate relationships: the impact of an adult diagnosis . Advances in Autism, 5(1), 38-49. Emerald.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  40. Hops, O. (2021), “I was groomed as an autistic teen | AUTISM in GIRLS”, 26 July, available at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnHlpkAM9IA (accessed 25 November 2021).
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  41. Mirabel Pelton , Hayley Crawford , Ashley Robertson , Jacqui Rodgers , Simon Baron-Cohen , Sarah Cassidy (2020). Understanding Suicide Risk in Autistic Adults: Comparing the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide in Autistic and Non-autistic Samples . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50(10), 3620-3637. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  42. Victoria Milner , Hollie McIntosh , Emma Colvert , Francesca Happé (2019). A Qualitative Exploration of the Female Experience of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49(6), 2389-2402. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  43. Laura Hull , K.V. Petrides , Will Mandy (2020). The Female Autism Phenotype and Camouflaging: a Narrative Review . Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 7(4), 306-317. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
  44. Christian C. Joyal , Julie Carpentier , Suzie McKinnon , Claude L. Normand , Marie-Hélène Poulin (2021). Sexual knowledge, desires, and experience of adolescents and young adults with an autism spectrum disorder: an exploratory study . Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 685256-685256. Frontiers Media SA.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  45. Georgia Lockwood Estrin , Victoria Milner , Debbie Spain , Francesca Happé , Emma Colvert (2021). Barriers to Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis for Young Women and Girls: a Systematic Review . Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 8(4), 454-470. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  46. Luterman, S. (2020), “Review: “love on the spectrum” is kind, but unrepresentative”, available at: www.spectrumnews.org/opinion/reviews/review-love-on-the-spectrum-is-kind-but-unrepresentative/ (accessed 25 November 2021).
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  47. National Sexual Violence Resource Center (2018), “Responding to survivors with autism spectrum disorders: an overview for sexual assault advocates”, [online], available at: www.nsvrc.org/responding-survivors-autism-spectrum-disorders-overview-sexual-assault-advocates (accessed 30 November 2021).
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  48. Freya Rumball , Lucinda Brook , Francesca Happé , Anke Karl (2021). Heightened risk of posttraumatic stress disorder in adults with autism spectrum disorder: The role of cumulative trauma and memory deficits . Research in Developmental Disabilities, 110, 103848. Elsevier BV.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  49. Raluca Tomsa , Smaranda Gutu , Daniel Cojocaru , Belén Gutiérrez-Bermejo , Noelia Flores , Cristina Jenaro (2021). Prevalence of Sexual Abuse in Adults with Intellectual Disability: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis . International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(4), 1980. MDPI AG.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  50. Katherine E. Reuben , Christopher M. Stanzione , Jenny L. Singleton (2021). Interpersonal trauma and posttraumatic stress in autistic adults . Autism in Adulthood, 3(3), 247-256. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  51. (2010). Aspergirls: Empowering Females with Asperger Syndrome . Aspergirls: Empowering Females with Asperger Syndrome.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  52. (2005). Power, Interest and Psychology - Elements of a Social Materialist Understanding of Distress . Power, Interest and Psychology - Elements of a Social Materialist Understanding of Distress.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  53. (2018). Victimisation and perpetration experiences of adults with autism . Frontiers in Psychiatry, 9(10).
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  54. (2018). Authoring Autism: On Rhetoric and Neurological Queerness . Authoring Autism: On Rhetoric and Neurological Queerness.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  55. (2010). Commentary: complex post-traumatic stress disorder: implications for individuals with autism spectrum disorders-part I . Journal on Developmental Disabilities, 6(3), 91.
    Type: Other
    Crossref