Autism and Gender Identity

Abstract

Since the turn of the century, we are witnessing a dramatic surge in the numbers of children and adolescents referred to gender clinics, this is happening in the context of general increase in numbers of individuals identifying as non-binary. The chapter ahead will initially address the shifting landscape of gender dysphoria (GD), and provides a comprehensive overview of the latest findings in the fields of autism and GF. The higher rates of autism’ diagnosis among gender diverse samples prompted the development of several hypotheses that attempt to explain the link between autism spectrum and gender spectrum, as well as development of relevant clinical guidelines that contain strong advocacy for adolescents with neurodiversity not to be precluded from gaining access to gender-related services. In the public arena, a highly publicised UK High Court’s case that is commonly referred to as Bell v Tavistock highlighted the growing concerns regarding the unexplained surge in the number of adolescents identifying as having GF, as well as pointed to the lack of evidence that hormones and surgery improve long-term outcomes. The chapter explored the recommendations that came out of this ruling and highlighted the implications for Australian jurisdiction by illustrating medico-legal changes on Perth-based gender services.

Epidemiology of personality disorders in individuals with gender dysphoria

“…The complex relationship between the development of PD in gender-diverse individuals still seeks clarity, starting with acknowledging of growing scepticism in relation to the heterogeneity and fluidity of GD diagnostic construct, as current diagnostic categories do not always adequately differentiate young people with prototypical forms of GD from those who show merely gender nonconforming behaviour [28]. The validity of some discrete PD categories, especially depressive PD has been questioned on the grounds of obvious diagnostic overlap with mood disorder diagnoses and, in particular, dysthymia [29].…”