DR SUSY RIDOUT is Founder of Lotus Collaborations, which unashamedly forefronts the voices and needs of autistic survivors of sexual violence and related abuse. Susy is a competent and passionate trainer in neurodivergence, sexual violence and abuse with health and specialist services, Sexual Assault Referral Centres, and the police, in addition to numerous community groups. Her vision for Lotus is to raise awareness of the unique needs of autistic survivors in response to violence and to challenge oppressive practices and frameworks of power.
Description
Recovery following sexual abuse is unique to the individual. In addition to this, autistic and neurodivergent children are more likely to have a wide range of different communication needs, meaning that they may struggle to verbally express what has happened to them, and have more difficulty processing and understanding the trauma they have experienced. Written by a leading expert with lived experience, chapters focus on the key areas for support workers to consider, including how to re-build trust, understanding safety, and managing sensory and emotional overwhelm. The resource is aimed at anyone supporting children who have experienced abuse, this book includes printable resource sheets and adaptable activities to support the child's recovery journey.
Testimonials Foreword by Alexis Quinn Prologue Introduction Chapter 1: Building trust Chapter 2: Safety, body awareness and discussing sexuality Chapter 3: Supporting communication Chapter 4: Understanding my experiences Chapter 5: Exploring sensory sensitivities Chapter 6: Understanding and expressing emotions and feelings Chapter 7: Understanding and voicing triggers Chapter 8: Healthy Friendships Organisations and contacts Further reading Appendices