Supporting Autistic Individuals Through Trauma-Informed Care: A Recognition of Autism Awareness - April 2025
As April marks Autism Awareness Month, it’s an important time to recognize the unique experiences, strengths, and challenges of autistic individuals and their families. At Healing Hearts Healthy Minds, we understand that autism intersects with many aspects of mental health, including trauma and family dynamics, in ways that deserve specialized, compassionate care.
Understanding the Autism-Trauma Connection
Many autistic individuals experience trauma differently than their neurotypical peers. Sensory sensitivities, communication differences, and unique ways of processing emotions can all affect how trauma is experienced and expressed. Research suggests that autistic individuals may be more vulnerable to traumatic experiences due to:
Communicating distress or boundary violations
Sensory overload which might feel threatening or overwhelming
Difficulties navigating social situations - this may lead to bullying or exclusion
Medical traumas from multiple interventions, misdiagnosis, or needs not met
Educational experiences that don’t accommodate neurodivergent thinking
These experiences can create lasting impacts that traditional therapy approaches might not effectively address.
How Our Services Support Autistic Participants
At Healing Hearts Healthy Minds, Dr. Denise Takakjy offers trauma-informed virtual therapy services specifically tailored to patients along with support to autistic individuals and their families:
EMDR Therapy Adapted for Neurodivergent Experiences
EMDR therapy for neurodivergent and autistic experiences can be extremely helpful. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) can be particularly effective for processing traumatic experiences in autistic individuals. Our approach:
Modifies traditional EMDR protocols to accommodate sensory preferences
Creates a predictable, structured environment that reduces anxiety
Allows for processing of trauma without requiring extensive verbal expression
Honors stimming and self-regulation techniques as important coping mechanisms via Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with Neurodiversity-Affirming Principles. Our CBT practices recognize that autistic thinking isn’t “disordered” just different, and because of that we look at each participant with a fresh eye doing the following:
Focusing on real-world challenges without pathologizing autistic traits
Incorporating special interests as strengths and motivators
We use visual supports and concrete examples if and when it is helpful
We adapt our communication to match the participant’s preferred style
DBT Skills for Emotional Regulation
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills can be particularly helpful for autistic individuals navigating intense emotions:
Provides concrete strategies to identify and name emotions
Teach practical distress tolerance techniques compatible with sensory needs
Enhances communication skills for expressing needs and boundaries
This helps build mindful practices that work with, not against, autistic perception
Supporting Parents of Autistic Children
Parenting an autistic child comes with unique joys and challenges. Our therapy services for parents include:
Processing your own emotions and potential secondary trauma
Developing strategies for supporting your child through their distress
Learning to advocate effectively in educational and healthcare settings
Building a parenting approach that honors your child’s neurodivergence
Creating family communication systems that work for everyone
The Virtual Advantage for Autism Support
Our online virtual therapy platform offers distinct benefits for autistic participants:
Therapy from the comfort of familiar surroundings without sensory challenges of a new environment
No travel requirements, reducing transition-related stress
Option to use text-based communication when preferred
Ability to use comfort items, stim freely, and self-regulate without judgment
Flexible scheduling to accommodate energy levels and routines
A Commitment to Neurodiversity-Affirming Care
During 2025 Autism Awareness Month, we reaffirm our commitment to providing therapy that:
Presumes competence in all participants
Views autism as a natural variation in human neurology, not a disorder to be fixed
Recognizes that behavior is communication!
Honor the expertise autistic individuals have about their own experiences
Adapt therapeutic approaches to meet diverse neurological needs
Taking the First Step
If you’re an autistic individual seeking support for trauma or life challenges, or a parent looking for guidance in supporting your autistic child, our virtual therapy services offer a safe, judgment-free space to explore these concerns.
During April and beyond, we invite you to reach out for a consultation to discuss how our trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming approach can support your unique journey.