What Does the Concept of "Double Vulnerability" Mean in Relation to Trauma and Autism?
Question
What does the concept of "double vulnerability" mean in relation to trauma and autism?
Answer
Double vulnerability refers to the heightened susceptibility of individuals with autism to both experience victimization and subsequently develop posttraumatic stress disorder. This occurs because common characteristics of autism—such as social language deficits, difficulty reading social cues, and sensory sensitivities—can increase exposure to risk while simultaneously magnifying the psychological impact of adverse events. Furthermore, factors such as gender inequality can interact with neurodivergence to create compounded risk, placing autistic women at elevated vulnerability for sexual violence, abuse, and coercion. Recognizing this double vulnerability helps clinicians understand why everyday social stressors or sensory overloads can lead to lasting traumatic responses.
Christopher Edwards
OTR, OTD
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