Gender Dysphoria and Cross-Dressing in People With Intellectual Disability: A Literature Review

Parkes, Georgina; Hall, Ian

doi:10.1352/0047-6765(2006)44[260:gdacip]2.0.co;2

Cited by 15 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…In our study, 12.9% of the subjects were found to have GID, 2 of the individuals were female. This seems to confirm the speculation made by Parkes and Hall [26] that GID may be more common in people with developmental disabilities. This result seems to further support Cheng and Udry's [27] advocacy for giving more attention to the sexuality of people with developmental disabilities.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation in People with Developmental Disabilities

2010

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The purpose of this descriptive study was to survey and compare. A sample of 32 people who have a developmental disability were asked to complete five questionnaires (i.e., demographics, sexual orientation, sexual history, recalled childhood gender identity and adult gender identity). Comparisons were made regarding their sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as differences based on their diagnosis that may not have been related to their developmental disability. One case study was presented to aid in better understanding of a transgendered individual. Research results showed that most subjects perceived themselves as heterosexual (87%), followed by those that saw themselves as bisexual or questioning (9.7%) and lastly those that reported that they were interested in same sex partners (3.2%). No differences were found for diagnostic category. Four subjects scored within the range to indicate that they had gender identity dysphoria (GID). Again, no differences were found for diagnostic category. Interesting findings resulted when comparisons were made to other measures and to other studies. It is proposed that it is good practice for professionals to rule out the possibility of ambivalence about gender and sexual issues caused by social and life experiences, especially regarding abuse and the lack of information/education. However, their identities, gender identity and/or sexual identity, must be honored as we do with the general population.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation in People with Developmental Disabilities

2010

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“…There are also issues of capacity to consent to treatment, particularly if the presence of an autism-spectrum disorder is associated with intellectual disabilities, where it is advised that psychological and social treatments be pursued. 11 We have been unable to identify any previous literature describing individuals seeking gender reassignment as a means of normalising their paedophilia, but this is clearly a concerning finding.…”

Section: Original Papersmentioning

confidence: 89%

“…3 The relationship between autism-spectrum disorders and gender dysphoria has been described by a number of authors. [10][11][12] It poses a significant challenge given the social and communication difficulties associated with this diagnosis. This becomes a particular issue as living and functioning in…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender reassignment: 5 years of referrals in Oxfordshire

Saunders¹,

Bass²

2011

Psychiatrist

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Aims and methodTo evaluate the characteristics of individuals seeking gender reassignment, the frequency of subsequent referrals to a specialist centre, and funding approval. Cases were identified from a local referrals database and data were extracted from case notes.ResultsFifty-four individuals attended for assessment; 70% were biological males and 30% were biological females. Mean age at referral was significantly different between the two groups. Over half were taking hormone supplementation and three had already had surgery. Further, 24% had a current and 30% a past mental illness. The majority of individuals were referred to a specialist centre for gender reassignment but only two had funding for surgery approved. Paedophilia was a rare but concerning finding.Clinical implicationsPsychiatric assessment plays an important role in confirming transsexualism and in identifying other relevant diagnoses.

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“…For example, Thomas & DeAlwis (1995) describe a man with moderate learning disability who, after living in a long stay hospital since the age of 16, began cross‐dressing after moving to a community home at the age of 42. We have previously described a 55 year old man who had cross dressed in secret for many years, but only presented for support with this issue after his mother died, because he knew she would disapprove (Parkes & Hall 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cross dressing and gender dysphoria in people with learning disabilities: a descriptive study

Parkes¹,

Hall²,

Wilson³

2009

Brit J Learn Disabil

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Accessible summary• Some men with learning disability like to dress in women's clothes and some men want to be women. Some women with learning disability like to dress in men's clothes or want to be men. • We found that many people like this had mental health problems. Some people were abused when they were children. Some people were gay. They were not happy about this. • Many people could decide for themselves what support and treatment was best for them, but some people couldn't. SummaryWe aimed to determine the characteristics of people with learning disability who cross-dress or who have gender dysphoria. Using a retrospective review of anonymised data from clinical records about people referred to a specialist service. All 13 participants cross-dressed and 12 were biological males. Only one person was in a core transsexual group which may do better from sex reassignment surgery. There was a high level of mental health problems and high levels of reported childhood abuse. Three people were unhappy about their homosexual feelings, and two people had capacity issues. People with learning disabilities experience a wide range of gender identity issues similar to those seen in the nonlearning disabled population. They would benefit from a more person centred understanding. People with learning disability may need longer assessments and more psychotherapeutic exploration and intervention prior to thinking about hormone and surgical interventions. Deciding treatment in someone's best interests for those lacking capacity presents complex ethical dilemmas.

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Gender Dysphoria and Cross-Dressing in People With Intellectual Disability: A Literature Review

Cited by 15 publications

References 5 publications

Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation in People with Developmental Disabilities

Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation in People with Developmental Disabilities

Gender reassignment: 5 years of referrals in Oxfordshire

Cross dressing and gender dysphoria in people with learning disabilities: a descriptive study

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