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

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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:LGBT health Vol. 1; no. 4; p. 277
Main Authors: Jacobs, Laura A, Rachlin, Katherine, Erickson-Schroth, Laura, Janssen, Aron
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States 01.12.2014
Subjects:
Intolerance of Ambiguity
gender identity
transsexual
Asperger's
gender identity disorder
gender dysphoria
Theory of Mind
gender nonconforming
autism
transgender
ISSN:2325-8306, 2325-8306
Online Access:Get more information
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Summary: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 identities.
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ISSN:2325-8306
2325-8306
DOI:10.1089/lgbt.2013.0045