Theories on the Link Between Autism Spectrum Conditions and Trans Gender Modality: a Systematic Review

Overview

Journal Rev J Autism Dev Disord

Date 2024 May 28

PMID 38803560

Authors

Luna L Wattel

Reubs J Walsh

Lydia Krabbendam

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

While research on the prevalence of co-occurring autism spectrum conditions (ASC) and trans gender modality (TGM) is available, less is known about the underlying mechanism of this association. Insight is needed to improve treatment of trans autistic people. This review provides an overview of theories on the ASC-TGM link and the available evidence for/against them published between January 2016 and October 2020. A systematic search was performed in PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus. This resulted in 36 studies, in which 15 theories were identified. Results indicate all theories lack substantial empirical support. Unlikely and promising theories were identified. The most promising theories were those on resistance to social norms and weakened sex differences. Future directions are provided.

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Revisiting the Link: A qualitative analysis of the diverse experiences of gender dysphoria as a subset of pervasive social dysphoria co-occurring with autism in Japan.

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