ASD traits , self defining as transgender or non-binary

Post Reply New Topic

Autistic traits in individuals self-defining as transgender or nonbinary.Open link in new tabpubmed: autism spectrum diso...|Stagg SD, Vincent JExpand this article Related Articles

Autistic traits in individuals self-defining as transgender or nonbinary.

Eur Psychiatry. 2019 Jun 28;61:17-22

Authors: Stagg SD, Vincent J

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum traits are increasingly being reported in individuals who identify as transgender, and the presence of such traits have implications for clinical support. To-date little is known about autism traits in individuals who identify as nonbinary.
AIMS: To empirically contribute to current research by examining autistic traits in a self-identifying transgender and nonbinary gender group.
METHOD: One hundred and seventy-seven participants responded to a survey consisting of the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), the Empathy Quotient (EQ), the Systematising Quotient (SQ) and the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Task (RME). Comparisons were made between cisgender, transgender and nonbinary groups.
RESULTS: Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or meeting the AQ cut-off score for ASD were over-represented in both the transgender and nonbinary groups. The key variables differentiating the transgender and nonbinary groups from the cisgender group were systematising and empathy. Levels of autistic traits and cases of ASD were higher in individuals assigned female at birth than those assigned male at birth.
CONCLUSIONS: A proportion of individuals seeking help and advice about gender identity will also present autistic traits and in some cases undiagnosed autism. Lower levels of empathy, diminished theory of mind ability and literalness may impede the delivery of effective support. Clinicians treating transgender and nonbinary individuals, should also consider whether clients, especially those assigned female at birth, have an undiagnosed ASD.

PMID: 31260907 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/312 ... t=Abstract

That sounds like complete balderdash to me. I think that people are what they are and autism has nothing to do with it.

Interesting read... I can believe that. I think for myself I would identify as agender. I am inhabiting a female form that I am okay with, I don't see a need to do any repair or upgrades. I don't pay much attention to my body.

Sure. I'm agender to the core despite so much feminine influences I have my whole life.
I only know how to handle and live with a female body, and what this means within the culture I'm born with. It just doesn't correspond anything deeper than that.
'Feminine' never seem to touch my core despite being constantly surrounded by it. I can only go as far as look like one as long as it's comfortable.
And I don't feel like I was born with a wrong biological sex, yet I simply could've care less if I were born male either.

Hopefully researchers don't mistook autism's certain angles of asociality/preferences related to gender, from gender identity vs biological sex or gender identity related clashes and issues in general.

Gained Number Post Count (1).
Lose Time (n).

Lose more time here - Updates at least once a week.

I am agender. Trying to play either gender role feels "off" to me. I feel highly comfortable being androgynous.

My suspicions on the research: 1) Autistic women (at birth) are more likely to exhibit traits associated with the "extreme male brain" stereotype of autism and are more likely to have social dysphoria and therefore pivot beyond their traditional gender role, and 2) Autistic individuals (including males at birth) are less likely to understand or be concerned with the broader social reaction and are therefore more likely to seek treatment. I think a lot of closeted transgender people feel trapped by their social relations and need for conformity, therefore bottling their desires and feelings.

So it may not be that ASD is "more trans" but that aspects of ASD lead towards greater representation for indirect reasons.