Misunderstood Signals: Why Trauma in Non-Speaking Individuals Goes Unnoticed

In this podcast episode, hosts Dr. Naomi Murphy and David Jones converse with specialist Dr. Beverley Samways regarding the pervasive, overlooked trauma experienced by non-speaking individuals with learning disabilities. Dr. Samways presents research demonstrating that individuals with severe intellectual disabilities face significantly elevated risks of experiencing trauma, estimated to be between 4 and 10 times higher than the general population, yet care systems historically reduce their emotional distress and self-injury to mere "challenging behavior" via applied behavioral analysis (ABA). She challenges these traditional behavioral frameworks by offering a psychodynamic and trauma-informed alternative, asserting that all individuals are inherently wired for human connection. Drawing on her ethnographic research and years as a care provider, Dr. Samways outlines how practitioners can utilize therapeutic presence, co-regulation, nonverbal communication, and sensory awareness to interpret emotional distress, navigate institutional power dynamics, and foster genuine healing for non-speaking populations.