This lecture will take place on:

*To enable access to the widest possible audience these lectures are planned to be delivered live, but remotely, as webinars. Where we are able, a recording will be made available to all booked delegates although we encourage live attendance wherever possible. Please see the details above to see if this lecture will be recorded and available after the live event.

These lectures will be delivered remotely using Zoom. You will need a device with a suitably fast internet connection. Although mobile devices and tablets can be used, we recommend the use of laptop or desktop PC for the best experience. Some devices provided by employers may have restrictions in place. Please use this test link (https://zoom.us/test) to check your set up before booking.

You will be sent the necessary login link about a week before the course start date. Should you have any concerns about the accessibility of remote delivery please contact us at CPDEvents@tavi-port.ac.uk to discuss how we can best help you.

This is the second lecture in the spring 2025 series.

Lecture 2: Treating Traumatized and Dissociative Neurodevelopmentally Disabled Clients

6 February 2025

This lecture will be recorded.

Lecturer: Katherine Reuben

Neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDDs) are conditions present from birth or early childhood which affect how individuals perceive, make sense of, and interact with the world. Two of the most common are attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism. Many individuals with NDDs have social communication differences, difficulties recognizing risks, and behaviors that are stigmatized by society. Accordingly, many have poor attachment with caregivers, are rejected by peers, and are perceived by predators as uniquely vulnerable. This leads to high rates of complex trauma, including child maltreatment, bullying, assault, and intimate partner violence. Differences in cognition, disability-related stressors, emotional health comorbidities, and lack of support subsequently increase the risk of posttraumatic stress and dissociation.
Unfortunately, the overlap of NDDs with posttraumatic stress disorder and dissociation is under-recognized. In some cases, NDD symptoms are misperceived as arising entirely from trauma — such as attention-deficit and hyperactivity symptoms being attributed solely to childhood physical abuse — which may cause confusion and frustration when trauma therapy alone fails to resolve core symptoms. If a NDD is already diagnosed, it is not uncommon for all other symptoms to be attributed to this diagnosis, and clinicians are often particularly hesitant to consider that trauma and dissociation are relevant. A major concern is the lack of training or professional support for proper screening, especially for clients who are non-verbal or otherwise impaired in reporting about their experiences. Even when a clinician recognizes that a NDD client has been traumatized and is struggling with dissociation, there are few existing resources to assist with treatment.
This presentation will review what is known about experiences of trauma, posttraumatic stress, and dissociation for individuals with NDDs, with a focus on autism. Signs of posttraumatic stress and dissociation, overlapping symptoms, and potentially unique presentations will be discussed. Finally, the presentation will cover implications for screening and treatment.