Revisiting the Link: Evidence of the Rates of Autism in Studies of Gender Diverse Individuals.

MedStar author(s):
Citation: Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 57(11):885-887, 2018 Nov.PMID: 30392631Institution: MedStar Washington Hospital CenterDepartment: Obstetrics and Gynecology/Pediatric and AdolescentForm of publication: Journal ArticleMedline article type(s): Comment | LetterSubject headings: *Autism Spectrum Disorder | *Autistic Disorder | *Gender Dysphoria | *Transsexualism | Gender Identity | HumansYear: 2018Local holdings: Available online from MWHC library: 1995 - presentISSN:
  • 0890-8567
Name of journal: Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent PsychiatryAbstract: Copyright (c) 2018 American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Turban and van Schalkwyk assert in their Translations article, "'Gender Dysphoria' and Autism Spectrum Disorder: Is the Link Real?" that an over-representation of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in gender dysphoria is unsupported based on current evidence. Turban and van Schalkwyk discuss 7 of the currently 19 available empirical studies (excluding reviews and case reports) of the over-occurrence of ASD and/or autism traits with gender dysphoria/diversity. They are correct to note that some ASD screeners may lack specificity; that is, a clinical-range total score could indicate non-ASD-related mental health conditions or other developmental difference. However, they do not account for the 7 available studies which specifically report rates of clinical diagnoses of ASD among unselected gender-diverse samples. We suggest also that many of the studies that assess ASD-symptoms in gender-diverse groups are more convincing than suggested by Turban and van Schalkwyk because they employ measures assessing the multi-dimensionality of ASD symptoms and report significant elevations not only for socially-related symptoms but also for the various components of restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests (RRBI) core to ASD. We come together to write this response as gender clinicians and researchers, autism clinicians and researchers, and key stakeholders, including autistic and autistic transgender self-advocates. We work and live with the co-occurrence of autism and gender diversity on a daily basis, and we are concerned that perpetuating misunderstanding about the co-occurrence places individuals at risk.All authors: Anthony LG, Bascom J, Berg D, Caplan R, Edwards-Leeper L, Gomez-Lobo V, Janssen A, Kenworthy L, Leibowitz SF, Mazefsky CA, McGuire JK, Pine-Twaddell E, Register-Brown K, Rofey D, Sadikova E, Shumer D, Strang JF, Tishelman A, Wallace GL, Wimms H, Zaks ZFiscal year: FY2019Digital Object Identifier: Date added to catalog: 2018-11-09
Holdings
Item type Current library Collection Call number Status Date due Barcode
Journal Article MedStar Authors Catalog Article 30392631 Available 30392631

Available online from MWHC library: 1995 - present

Copyright (c) 2018 American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Turban and van Schalkwyk assert in their Translations article, "'Gender Dysphoria' and Autism Spectrum Disorder: Is the Link Real?" that an over-representation of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in gender dysphoria is unsupported based on current evidence. Turban and van Schalkwyk discuss 7 of the currently 19 available empirical studies (excluding reviews and case reports) of the over-occurrence of ASD and/or autism traits with gender dysphoria/diversity. They are correct to note that some ASD screeners may lack specificity; that is, a clinical-range total score could indicate non-ASD-related mental health conditions or other developmental difference. However, they do not account for the 7 available studies which specifically report rates of clinical diagnoses of ASD among unselected gender-diverse samples. We suggest also that many of the studies that assess ASD-symptoms in gender-diverse groups are more convincing than suggested by Turban and van Schalkwyk because they employ measures assessing the multi-dimensionality of ASD symptoms and report significant elevations not only for socially-related symptoms but also for the various components of restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests (RRBI) core to ASD. We come together to write this response as gender clinicians and researchers, autism clinicians and researchers, and key stakeholders, including autistic and autistic transgender self-advocates. We work and live with the co-occurrence of autism and gender diversity on a daily basis, and we are concerned that perpetuating misunderstanding about the co-occurrence places individuals at risk.

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