Sexual Abuse in Autistic Children as a Risk Factor of Developing of Schizophrenia

Abstract

In this article the authors present the problem of sexual abuse in children with autism. The rates of sexually abuse for children with developmental disabilities are nearly two times greater than for typical children. Based on the prevalence of abuse and its association with various behaviors, clinicians should be observe the potential of abuse when these behaviors are changed. The results of the latest studies prove, however, that schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders can take place in patients diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD). The sexual abuse of autistic children may be a risk factor of developing schizophrenia. Some children with autism may be targeted for abuse by sexual offenders. Current estimates suggest that 1:3 girls and 1:10 boys will be sexually abused by the time they are 18 years old (Tang, Freyd, & Wang, 2007). The sexual offender is usually someone who is known and trusted by the child (Cavanagh Johnson, 1999, 2002). Offenders attempt to gain trust from potential victims. The rates of sexually abuse for children with developmental disabilities are nearly two times greater than for typical children and the effects of sexually abuse may be exacerbated by social isolation and alienation (Mansell, Sobsey and Moskal (1998). Some children with autism after sexual abuse may not have the skills to effectively communicate what happened to them. They are unable to understand the nuances of reciprocal conversation needed to disclose sexual abuse. The abused autistic children attempt to cope with these behaviors or to the development of new behaviors that were not previously present. Some studies suggests that autistic children who are nonverbal exhibit more behavioral difficulties than those who have verbal communication abilities (Dominick, Davis, Lanihart, Tager-Flusberg, & Folstein (2007). This may lead to frustration caused by the inability of others to understand what the child communicate. The fact that the child was sexually abused may be missed. Children who are sexually abused do not always display sexualized or concerning behaviors at all (Kendall-Tackett, Meyer Williams, & Finkelhor, 1993), so the presence or absence of sexualized behaviors cannot be a marker for whether or not a child has been sexually