Empirical evidence indicates that a significant minority of parents of autistic children exhibit trauma-based responses. Recent Australian research has specifically linked these responses to experiences encountered while parenting autistic children, such as managing severe meltdowns, dealing with self-harm or aggression, and navigating constant vigilance due to safety concerns. However, when seeking mental health support, these parents are often diagnosed with anxiety, stress, depression, or panic-related disorders, and rarely with trauma-related disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or complex-PTSD. Misdiagnosis can result in ineffective treatment, exacerbating symptoms, prolonging distress, disrupting family dynamics, and reducing parenting functionality.
This presentation is based on data collected from a population-based parent sample (n = 2619) in Denmark and a large self-selecting parent sample in Australia (n = 758). It explores the prevalence and symptom severity of PTSD and Complex-PTSD among parents of autistic children and compares these rates to parents of neurotypical children. There is limited global understanding of the prevalence of PTSD and Complex-PTSD in this parent population, and to our knowledge, no other population-based studies have investigated this phenomenon.
Attendees will gain insights into the prevalence, impact, and diagnostic challenges of PTSD and Complex-PTSD among parents of autistic children, highlighting the need for accurate diagnosis and targeted mental health support.