A latest examine of 4,500 Swedish twins discovered that autistic women from ages 9-18 had been thrice as more likely to expertise sexual assault when in comparison with their neurotypical counterparts. This statistic is especially alarming as women and girls with traits of ASD (Autism Spectrum Dysfunction) already face difficulties receiving the prognosis, with the typical age of prognosis being 16 years of age. Kirsten Lindsmith, an autistic advocate and blogger, explains why these women are at an elevated threat for sexual assault:
“Autistic folks have a form of guide transmission mind, as we now have to study social abilities, as a substitute of it coming naturally. This combines with patriarchy, consent tradition, and points with sexuality. We don’t cognitively multitask very nicely and studying social conditions doesn’t occur intuitively. In our society, a number of how sexuality and courtship works is oblique, not overt, and requires this dance of nonverbal communication. Autistic individuals are not inherently outfitted until they study it painstakingly, after which it usually nonetheless takes much more effort to keep up. It’s an obstacle.”
Not solely do social deficits put them at larger threat for sexual assault, however additionally it is steady social rejection that’s usually part of rising up autistic. This may result in elevated receptivity to constructive social consideration, making it tough to differentiate true, heat friendship from predatory behaviour:
“Having that directed constructive consideration will be so hypnotizing for somebody with that background. There’s this degree of social trauma in autism that can regularly make folks actually grateful to somebody who’s directing a number of constructive consideration. Sexual want from predators can look lots like constructive consideration, being pleasant, actually liking you, considering you’re humorous. All all these issues that don’t come from oblique courtship. They’re going to speak to you particularly greater than different folks, smile at you, take a look at you extra, perhaps stand near you, contact you a little bit – all these issues that you could be be starved for.”
In terms of what we will do to counteract this threat of sexual assault for autistic women and girls, Lindsmith suggests a number of methods that could be useful, resembling asking direct questions when emotions of discomfort come up:
“I prefer to ask questions, as I discover that saying no outright is usually harmful, and asking questions can have the identical impact with a lot much less hazard. ‘What are we going to do there?’ Being authentically your self whenever you’re confused or offended could be very protecting.”
Different choices embody implementing a buddy system and discovering methods to have open conversations with trusted family and friends on boundaries in courting. With the ability to talk about one’s ideas and emotions just isn’t solely a useful supply of assist, but additionally permits for others to present folks on the spectrum concrete recommendation on navigate tough and uncomfortable conditions. Nevertheless, this selection is usually extra accessible for women and will place autistic boys at an obstacle. Lindsmith explains:
“The buddy system is among the assets that autistic women and girls usually have that isn’t as straightforward to entry for autistic boys and males. Tony Atwood calls this the ‘Mom Hen buddy’ phenomenon, the place lady gender tradition encourages nurturing, guiding behaviour. Ladies are way more keen to take somebody below their wing, train the nerdy buddy gown. Say you go to a celebration, you don’t go alone, you go together with your Mom Hen buddy, who you belief, and don’t depart their aspect. Act like they’re your service canine.”
With all of this in thoughts, top-of-the-line methods to scale back the chance of sexual assault for autistic folks could merely lie in consciousness. Facilitating this understanding of this threat for the person, their pals, household, and therapist can enhance entry to the proper of assist.
“I believe the most effective factor is to simply bear in mind that that is actual. It’s actual, it occurs to everybody, and it’s not one thing you’re shielded from simply since you don’t give it some thought.”
– Elizabeth Liu, Contributing Author
Picture Credit:
Function: Aleksandar Kurešević at Unsplash, Inventive Commons
First: Jack Finnigan at Unsplash, Inventive Commons
Second: kevin laminto at Unsplash, Inventive Commons
