Gender Dysphoria and Co-Occurring Autism Spectrum Disorders: Review, Case Examples, and Treatment Considerations

LGBT Health
Laura A JacobsAron Janssen

Abstract

Transgender and gender nonconforming people who fulfill diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) often present to mental health providers with concerns that are distinct from those without ASDs. Gender Dysphoria (GD) and ASDs have been proposed to share etiologic mechanisms and there is evidence that ASDs may be more common in transgender and gender nonconforming people. We explore the impact of ASD characteristics on individual gender identity, expression, and the process of psychotherapy. The authors present two case studies of high-functioning individuals with ASD and GD diagnoses. The limited ability to articulate an inner experience, deficits in Theory of Mind (ToM), along with the intolerance of ambiguity as a manifestation of the cognitive rigidity characteristic of ASDs, may present special difficulties to gender identity formation and consolidation and create challenges in psychotherapy. The authors suggest that ASDs do not preclude gender transition and that individuals with high-functioning ASDs are capable of making informed decisions regarding their medical care and life choices. The authors also consider possible challenges and suggest techniques for assisting such clients in exploring their gender...Continue Reading

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Citations

Feb 18, 2016·LGBT Health·Laura A JacobsAron Janssen
Jan 13, 2016·International Review of Psychiatry·Anna I R Van Der MiesenAnnelou L C De Vries
Dec 15, 2015·LGBT Health·Daniel E ShumerAmy Tishelman
Mar 19, 2016·LGBT Health·William Byne
Mar 17, 2015·Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·Elin SkagerbergPolly Carmichael
Jun 11, 2016·The Journal of Pediatrics·Megan CooneyAlene Toulany
Oct 25, 2016·Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology : the Official Journal for the Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, American Psychological Association, Division 53·John F StrangLaura G Anthony
Mar 21, 2017·Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America·Gerrit I van Schalkwyk, Fred R Volkmar
Jul 12, 2017·Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry·Patricia M Crittenden
Jul 19, 2018·Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·Roald A ØienAnders Nordahl-Hansen
Aug 1, 2018·Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·Reubs J WalshSander Begeer
Apr 15, 2018·Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·Anna NobiliJon Arcelus
May 1, 2018·Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·Kate CooperAilsa J Russell
Mar 29, 2019·LGBT Health·Elizabeth Hisle-GormanDavid A Klein
Apr 3, 2020·Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·Aimilia Kallitsounaki, David Williams
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May 15, 2018·Transgender Health·William ByneJack Pula
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May 8, 2018·Archives of Sexual Behavior·Anna I R van der MiesenAnnelou L C de Vries
Oct 28, 2019·Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·Aimilia Kallitsounaki, David Williams
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