Untangling the Overlap: Trauma and Neurodivergence
At CARE Counseling, Inc., we often hear this question in our therapy sessions, and among our peers:
“Is it trauma, or is it neurodivergence?”
It’s a good question—and a complicated one. Trauma and neurodivergence (such as ADHD, autism, and sensory processing differences) can look strikingly similar in their outward presentation. Clients may experience emotional dysregulation, social difficulties, executive functioning struggles, or sensory sensitivities—but what lies beneath those symptoms may vary widely.
Let’s explore the similarities, differences, and how we can offer supportive care regardless of the root.
What Do We Mean by “Neurodivergence”?
“Neurodivergence” refers to natural variations in the human brain that affect how people think, feel, and experience the world. Neurodivergence exists on a spectrum. This includes:
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Sensory Processing Differences
Learning Disabilities
Tic Disorders, and more
These are neurological differences, often present from birth or early childhood—not caused by trauma.
What Is Trauma?
Trauma is a psychological and physiological response to a distressing or overwhelming experience that exceeds a person’s capacity to cope. It can result from:
Abuse, neglect, or loss
Medical trauma
Bullying or social exclusion
Displacement or ongoing stress
Trauma can change how the brain processes emotion, memory, and safety—and can mimic or even mask other mental health conditions.
Similarities in Symptom Presentation
Though different in origin, trauma and neurodivergence often share external behaviors and internal experiences:
Shared Symptoms: Emotional dysregulation
Examples: Outbursts, shutdowns, difficulty managing emotions
Shared Symptoms: Executive functioning issues
Examples: Disorganization, time blindness, memory problems
Shared Symptoms: Social struggles
Examples: Misreading cues, discomfort in groups
Shared Symptoms: Sensory sensitivity
Examples: Overwhelm from sounds, lights, or textures
Shared Symptoms: Sleep disturbances
Examples: Insomnia, irregular patterns
Shared Symptoms: Dissociation or shutdown
Examples: Mental “fog,” zoning out, non-responsiveness
Shared Symptoms: Masking/camouflaging
Examples: Adapting behavior to avoid judgment or danger
Important note: Both trauma and neurodivergence can coexist and even influence one another. For example, a child with autism may be bullied for their differences and could develop PTSD. A neurodivergent adult raised in a shaming environment may develop complex trauma responses.
Key Differences to Consider
Factor: Onset
Trauma: Often after a specific life event
NeurodivergencePresent from early development
Factor: Pattern
Trauma: May emerge in phases or after triggers
Neurodivergence: Tends to be consistent over time
Factor: Root cause
Trauma: External experience (e.g., abuse)
Neurodivergence: Internal wiring (brain development)
Factor: Response to safety
Trauma: May show hypervigilance or avoidance
Neurodivergence: May still feel “unsafe” even when secure
Factor: Sense of self
Trauma: May feel fragmented or lost
Neurodivergence: May feel “different” but not fragmented
Sometimes clients have internalized the message that their differences are “bad,” which can create shame. This trauma of nonacceptance is real—and part of the healing journey.
Misdiagnosis Is Common
Because of the overlap, people are sometimes misdiagnosed:
A neurodivergent person may be labeled “traumatized” and sent to trauma therapy that doesn’t address their sensory or cognitive needs.
A trauma survivor may be seen as autistic or ADHD when their symptoms stem from hypervigilance or dissociation.
Both paths are valid. What matters most is a comprehensive, compassionate assessment that honors both nervous system biology and lived experience.
At CARE Counseling, Inc., We See the Whole Person
Whether you’re navigating trauma, neurodivergence, or both, you deserve care that:
Doesn’t pathologize your survival strategies
Helps you understand your nervous system
Offers tools without shame or pressure to “fix” who you are
Validates your story, even when it’s complex
Our therapists are trained in trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming approaches that meet you where you are—with curiosity, not judgment.
Healing Is Possible. So Is Acceptance.
You are not your diagnosis. You are a full, feeling human being with a nervous system that has done its best to protect you.
At CARE Counseling, Inc., we’re here to help you untangle the confusion, explore your identity, and build a life that works for your brain, body, and spirit.
It’s not either/or. Sometimes it’s both/and. And you are not alone.