Autistic Adults’ Experiences of Discussing Trauma in MH Services
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Trauma-informed care for autistic adults: Autistic Adults' experiences of discussing trauma and related distress in mental health services
IRAS ID
365959
Contact name
Amisha Soni
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research and Innovation Services
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 17 days
Research summary
Many people experience events that cause strong emotional or psychological reactions- these reactions may include unwanted memories, feeling anxious, avoiding reminders of the event, or being on alert for danger. These reactions are known as trauma-related distress.
Research shows that autistic people may experience trauma and trauma-related distress in ways that are not always recognised by professionals. Experiences such as social exclusion, bullying, or sensory overload can have lasting effects and lead to trauma responses. For autistic people, trauma-related distress may manifest through increased repetitive movements, regression in communication, heightened sensory sensitivities, or social withdrawal, which may be misattributed to 'autistic traits' rather than trauma responses.
Autistic adults may also engage differently in discussions about trauma-related distress e.g., they may need more processing time or more concrete language. Without understanding what supports or hinders these discussions, professionals may unintentionally cause distress or miss important information about the person’s needs.
However, very little research has asked autistic adults directly how they experience conversations about trauma-related distress, or what they find helpful and unhelpful.
This study aims to explore how autistic adults experience talking about trauma related distress with mental health professionals (MHPs), and to understand what helps these discussions feel safe and accessible. We will not ask people to share details of their trauma experiences. Instead, we will focus on what makes these conversations helpful or unhelpful.Between 12 to 15 autistic adults will be recruited through NHS Community Mental Health Teams within Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. Participants must have a formal autism diagnosis and have previously talked with an MHP about trauma-related distress. Each person will partake in a 60-90 minute interview, held either in person or online. Appropriate adaptations will be made according to need.
Findings will be used to create recommendations for how to have trauma-related discussions in mental health services.
REC name
London - Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/LO/0348
Date of REC Opinion
6 May 2026
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion