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Studies and gender clinic observations have noted that autism spectrum individuals are greatly over represented in youth seeking treatment for gender dysphoria. More research is needed in this area. GHQ covers the GD/autism link here and here and here.
EurekaAlert has reported on a new study from Anglia Ruskin University, (Stagg, 2019), that confirms this pattern:
It found that 14% of the transgender and non-binary group had a diagnosis of autism, while a further 28% of this group reached the cut off point for an autism diagnosis, suggesting a high number of potentially undiagnosed individuals.
There is an increase of trans-identified females and many are on the autism spectrum:
These figures were primarily driven by high scoring amongst those whose assigned gender was female at birth, supporting recent evidence that there is a large population of undiagnosed women with an autism spectrum disorder.
The study highlights some personality traits of autism spectrum individuals that may influence how they relate to their gender:
The authors also found higher levels of systematising (a tendency to analyse, control and use rule-based systems) and lower levels of empathy amongst the transgender and non-binary group, characteristics often found in individuals with an autism spectrum disorder.
And:
"People with autism are also more likely to seek unequivocal answers to the complex issues surrounding gender identity. Our study suggests it is important that gender identity clinics screen patients for autism spectrum disorders and adapt their consultation process and therapy accordingly."
References:
Study finds transgender, non-binary autism link. (2019, July 16). EurekaAlert. Retrieved from https://eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-07/aru-sft071619.php
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