"They Thought It Was an Obsession": Trajectories and Perspectives of Autistic Transgender and Gender-Diverse Adolescents.
"They Thought It Was an Obsession": Trajectories and Perspectives of Autistic Transgender and Gender-Diverse Adolescents.
- 2018
Despite research exploring autism in gender-diverse adolescents, no studies have elicited these individuals' perspectives. In-depth interviews with 22 well-characterized autistic gender-diverse adolescents revealed critical themes, including: recollections of pre-pubertal gender nonconformity; vivid experiences of gender dysphoria; a fear of social gender expression due to perceived animosity toward transgender people; and specific challenges that result from the interplay of gender diversity and neurodiversity. During the ~ 22 month study social gender affirmation increased in six participants and gender dysphoria attenuated in four participants. Given the ethical imperative to understand and prioritize the voiced perspectives and needs of autistic gender minority adolescents as well as the discovery of shared themes and experiences in this population, results should inform clinical research approaches and priorities.
English
0162-3257
10.1007/s10803-018-3723-6 [doi] 10.1007/s10803-018-3723-6 [pii]
*Adolescent Behavior/px [Psychology]
*Autistic Disorder/px [Psychology]
*Gender Dysphoria/px [Psychology]
*Obsessive Behavior/px [Psychology]
*Thinking
*Transgender Persons/px [Psychology]
Adolescent
Autistic Disorder/di [Diagnosis]
Autistic Disorder/ep [Epidemiology]
Child
Female
Gender Dysphoria/di [Diagnosis]
Gender Dysphoria/ep [Epidemiology]
Humans
Male
Obsessive Behavior/di [Diagnosis]
Obsessive Behavior/ep [Epidemiology]
Perception
Young Adult
MedStar Washington Hospital Center
Obstetrics and Gynecology/Pediatric and Adolescent
Journal Article
Despite research exploring autism in gender-diverse adolescents, no studies have elicited these individuals' perspectives. In-depth interviews with 22 well-characterized autistic gender-diverse adolescents revealed critical themes, including: recollections of pre-pubertal gender nonconformity; vivid experiences of gender dysphoria; a fear of social gender expression due to perceived animosity toward transgender people; and specific challenges that result from the interplay of gender diversity and neurodiversity. During the ~ 22 month study social gender affirmation increased in six participants and gender dysphoria attenuated in four participants. Given the ethical imperative to understand and prioritize the voiced perspectives and needs of autistic gender minority adolescents as well as the discovery of shared themes and experiences in this population, results should inform clinical research approaches and priorities.
English
0162-3257
10.1007/s10803-018-3723-6 [doi] 10.1007/s10803-018-3723-6 [pii]
*Adolescent Behavior/px [Psychology]
*Autistic Disorder/px [Psychology]
*Gender Dysphoria/px [Psychology]
*Obsessive Behavior/px [Psychology]
*Thinking
*Transgender Persons/px [Psychology]
Adolescent
Autistic Disorder/di [Diagnosis]
Autistic Disorder/ep [Epidemiology]
Child
Female
Gender Dysphoria/di [Diagnosis]
Gender Dysphoria/ep [Epidemiology]
Humans
Male
Obsessive Behavior/di [Diagnosis]
Obsessive Behavior/ep [Epidemiology]
Perception
Young Adult
MedStar Washington Hospital Center
Obstetrics and Gynecology/Pediatric and Adolescent
Journal Article