Experiences of interpersonal victimization and abuse among autistic people.

The study interviewed 24 autistic adults, so it describes their accounts rather than showing how common these experiences are. Most participants were White, based in the United Kingdom, late diagnosed and verbal, so it says little about autistic people of colour, people diagnosed early, or people who use non-verbal communication. Participants were recruited through social media and the researchers' networks and had to have lived experience of intimate partner violence or sexual abuse, so the sample may not represent autistic adults without those experiences. No data on sexuality, socioeconomic status or educational attainment were collected. The research team was neurodiverse and had lived experience, which may have helped participants open up but can also introduce subjectivity. The authors did not quantify agreement between coders. The study did not evaluate how co-occurring neurodivergences or mental health diagnoses shaped experiences, or how participants interacted with support services.

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest. Funding was provided by the University of Bristol School of Education Grant Capture Fund.

Do not read these accounts as evidence that autism causes abuse or that autistic adults generally cannot recognize abuse. The study interviewed 24 people who already had lived experience of intimate partner violence or sexual abuse, and the authors state that abuse is always the perpetrator's choice.