Research literature suggests that some autistic and ADHD adults face a higher risk of mistreatment in relationships and describe specific difficulties in recognizing it while it is happening: trusting their own interpretation, connecting separate events into a pattern, and distinguishing manipulation from their own assumed misunderstanding. Based on this literature, people in these groups may benefit from a concrete, private way to record what was promised, what happened, and how it repeated. That is the format Flag Tracker provides. Flag Tracker itself has not been validated for autistic or ADHD users, and a neurodivergent trait is never, by itself, a red flag.
A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis in Psychological Medicine found that ADHD was associated with higher odds of intimate partner violence victimization (pooled odds ratio 1.78 across four studies) and sexual violence victimization (odds ratio 1.84 across six studies), with substantial heterogeneity between studies: group-level associations, not individual risk scores. A meta-analysis of victimization in autistic people reported that victimization was common, with very high variability between studies.
Sources: ADHD and violence victimization meta-analysis (Psychological Medicine, 2023) · Victimization in autistic people: meta-analysis
In an interview study of 21 autistic adults (Pearson et al., Autism in Adulthood, 2024), participants described struggling to recognize violence and abuse while it was happening and wanting a clearer understanding of red flags. In a qualitative study of 24 autistic adults (Douglas and Sedgewick, Autism), participants described abusers exploiting a lifelong message that they 'misunderstand' things. A study of 43 autistic adults (Pearson et al., 2022) reported self-blame, distrust of one's own perception, and normalization of harmful treatment.
Sources: Pearson et al., Autism in Adulthood (2024) · Douglas and Sedgewick, Autism · Pearson et al. (2022)
A systematic review of ecological momentary assessment in autism research found the method generally feasible and acceptable for many autistic adults, and in one 30-day feasibility study, 40 autistic adults completed the daily survey on an average of 27 out of 30 days. This supports the feasibility of structured daily recording; it does not show that Flag Tracker produces outcomes.
Sources: Systematic review of ecological momentary assessment in autism research · 30-day daily-diary feasibility study
A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis found that interpersonal violence experienced by autistic people was associated with internalizing symptoms and suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Source: 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis
Research has not shown that Flag Tracker, or any similar app, is effective, safe, or better than alternatives specifically for autistic or ADHD people, and a systematic review of randomized trials found no evidence that eHealth interventions reduce intimate partner violence, depression, or PTSD symptoms. Flag Tracker does not detect abuse, predict danger, or diagnose anyone.
Source: Systematic review of eHealth intervention trials (JMIR, 2020)
A neurodivergent trait is not a warning sign. Forgetfulness that is acknowledged is not a broken promise pattern. A shutdown under overload is not punitive silence. A sensory boundary is not withheld affection. If you track patterns, track behavior, impact, repetition, boundaries, and repair, not someone's neurotype, and apply the same fairness to yourself.
The research describes a need for external structure: a private record that does not depend on memory under stress, and a timeline that makes separate events visible as a pattern. Flag Tracker uses that format: log red and green flags with intensity and notes, compare what was promised with what happened, and review the timeline at your own pace.
We prioritized peer-reviewed systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and qualitative studies published in indexed journals, and we link every claim directly to its source. We state group-level findings as group-level findings and do not convert third-party research into product claims.
Last reviewed: July 2026