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Trauma in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Empirically Informed Model of Assessment and Intervention to Address the Effects of Traumatic Events

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Abstract

Children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are at risk of trauma due to neglect, abuse, and crime. This chapter summarizes the current literature in the study of trauma in typically developing individuals and those with ASD. A proposed treatment model for children with ASD, drawing on components from Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Trauma-Focused CBT is described and applied to a case study. Components include: (a) assessment of trauma; (b) functional behavior assessment; (c) behavior support plans; (d) behavioral skills training; (e) teaching emotion regulation; (f) exposure therapy; (g) cognitive restructuring; (h) parent and child support between sessions; (i) safety plan; and (j) programming for generalization and maintenance. Implications are reviewed with a focus on the adjudication in the court system of abuse, neglect, or crime against individuals with ASD and what lawyers and judges need to know so that justice is served. The chapter concludes with a recommendation that future research evaluates the efficacy of the modified treatment package and over time establishes an evidence-based treatment of trauma in an individual with ASD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. A Block Above Behavioral Consulting, North Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Alexia Stack

  2. University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Joseph Lucyshyn

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  1. Alexia Stack
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  2. Joseph Lucyshyn
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Correspondence to Alexia Stack .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Yale Child Study Center and Autism Center of Excellence, Yale University and Southern Conn. State University, New Haven, USA

    Fred R. Volkmar

  2. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, USA

    Rachel Loftin

  3. Division of Law and Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, USA

    Alexander Westphal

  4. Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

    Marc Woodbury-Smith

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Stack, A., Lucyshyn, J. (2021). Trauma in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Empirically Informed Model of Assessment and Intervention to Address the Effects of Traumatic Events. In: Volkmar, F.R., Loftin, R., Westphal, A., Woodbury-Smith, M. (eds) Handbook of Autism Spectrum Disorder and the Law. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-70913-6_5

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