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Autism and Gender Diversity Month
Pride Month offers a natural opportunity to highlight the significant overlap between autism and gender diversity. Research suggests autistic people are more likely to identify as transgender or gender nonconforming than non-autistic people.
History
The relationship between autism and gender diversity has drawn growing research attention. A 2014 study found parent-reported gender variance in 5.4 percent of autistic children, far above comparison groups, and a 2020 study of 641,860 people found higher rates of autism diagnosis among transgender and gender-diverse people than among cisgender people. The reasons remain debated. Advocacy spaces have increasingly recognized and centered autistic LGBTQ+ people.
SOURCES
- Strang JF, et al. Increased gender variance in autism spectrum disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 2014
- Warrier V, et al. Elevated rates of autism, other neurodevelopmental and psychiatric diagnoses, and autistic traits in transgender and gender-diverse individuals. Nature Communications, 2020
How to Participate
- →Learn about the research on autism and gender diversity
- →Support autistic LGBTQ+ young people who face intersecting challenges
- →Create affirming spaces that acknowledge both autistic and gender-diverse identities
- →Avoid treating gender diversity as a symptom of autism, it is not
- →Connect with organizations that support autistic LGBTQ+ individuals and families
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