A Scoping Review of Autistic Children’s Neurological, Cognitive, and Psychological Responses to Trauma

Background: Research tells us that autistic children are more likely than their neurotypical peers to experience potentially traumatic events. There is, however, limited literature on how autistic children respond to trauma, and there are few tools available to specifically assess autistic children’s exposure and response to trauma. Consequently, clinicians may lack the knowledge or resources to adequately support these individuals and provide them with appropriate, non-harmful care. Methods: In this scoping review, four databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, Emcare, and PsycINFO) were searched using keywords that represented the research question: “What are autistic children’s neurological, cognitive, and psychological responses to trauma?” Quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted on the data, and a frequency analysis was conducted to categorize and describe the results. Results: Thirty-one studies were included in the final analysis. Eleven themes were identified, which included social anxiety, isolation and withdrawal, generalized anxiety, depression, negative emotions and feelings, posttraumatic stress disorder and intrusive thoughts, social behaviors and skills, and behavioral challenges. Conclusions: This scoping review provides important insights into the unique trauma responses of autistic children and highlights the need for additional research and evidence-based guidance to inform clinical best practices and trauma-informed care for this population.