Gender diversity and autism spectrum disorder in child and youth population

TL;DR

This paper reviews how autism spectrum disorder and gender dysphoria co-occur, finding higher rates in autistic individuals, especially women.

Contribution

The study highlights increased gender dysphoria prevalence in autism spectrum disorder, particularly in females.

Findings

Higher prevalence of gender dysphoria is found in individuals with autism spectrum disorder compared to the general population.

Within the autism spectrum disorder group, gender dysphoria is more prevalent in women than in men.

Abstract

Interest in the co-occurrence of gender dysphoria and autism spectrum disorder has gained prominence in recent years. Gender dysphoria refers to the distress experienced when there is an incongruence between gender identity and sex assigned at birth. On the other hand, autism spectrum disorder is characterized by difficulties in communication and social interaction, as well as restrictive and repetitive patterns of behavior.

The aim of this paper is to review the current available literature in order to expand our knowledge about gender identity and dysphoria in the population with autism spectrum disorder.

A qualitative review was conducted over the last 20 years, using the Medline database through PubMed. Combinations of MeSH terms related to gender identity and people with autism spectrum disorder were used, selecting those studies in English, French or Spanish that met the objectives of the review, excluding references in other languages. The scientific evidence obtained was analyzed and synthesized.

The development of gender identity of people with autism spectrum disorder can be a complex process. Comparing the general population with the population with autism spectrum disorder, a higher prevalence of gender dysphoria has been evidenced in the population with autism spectrum disorder, and within this group when segmented by gender, greater in women than in men.

This review highlights the importance of increasing knowledge about sexuality and gender dysphoria in people with autism spectrum disorder in order to facilitate the development, understanding and acceptance of their gender identity and sexual orientation of these people.

None Declared