Trauma and PTSD Symptoms: Exploring the Experiences of Autistic and Non-Autistic Adults in Midlife and Old Age, (2026). McAdams, E., Quinton, A. M. G., Charlton, R. A., Happé, F., & Stewart, G. R.

Open access article: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/13623613261486059

Abstract

Autistic children and young adults have been found to experience high rates of traumatic life experiences and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) when compared to non-autistic peers. Despite the lifelong nature of autism, these issues have yet to be studied in middle-aged and older autistic adults. This study used data from the AgeWellAutism study (autistic n = 446, non-autistic n = 183; aged 40%–90, ~55% female). Participants completed standardised measures of childhood and adulthood trauma, and symptoms of PTSD. The autistic group, particularly autistic women and people in midlife, reported significantly higher rates of childhood and adulthood trauma, including emotional and physical abuse/neglect and sexual abuse. The autistic group reported more PTSD symptoms than the non-autistic group. PTSD symptoms showed stronger associations with childhood and adulthood trauma in the autistic versus non-autistic group. Autism group membership remained a significant predictor of PTSD symptom scores when controlling for differences in reported trauma. These findings provide further evidence to suggest that autistic adults are at higher risk for trauma and developing symptoms of PTSD. Longitudinal studies are required to examine changes in trauma risk, impact and subsequent PTSD symptoms. This study underscores the need to develop evidence-based interventions to prevent trauma and address PTSD symptoms in autistic populations as they age.

Citation: McAdams, E., Quinton, A. M. G., Charlton, R. A., Happé, F., & Stewart, G. R. (2026). Trauma and PTSD Symptoms: Exploring the Experiences of Autistic and Non-Autistic Adults in Midlife and Old Age. Autism, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613261486059