CO-OCCURRING GENDER DYSPHORIA AND AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER IN ADOLESCENCE

Abstract

Adolescents with gender dysphoria have more autism spectrum disorder than in the general population. In our study, we describe gender-referred adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (n=19) and compare their adolescent development and mental health with those of gender-referred adolescents without autism spectrum disorder (n=87). The study data was collected retrospectively from 106 gender-referred Finnish adolescents whose first-line gender identity assessments had been completed by 2015. We found that the adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and gender dysphoria had more self-harm/suicidality and psychotic symptoms than the adolescents with gender dysphoria and no autism spectrum disorder. They suffered from social isolation and had fewer love and sexual experiences than adolescents with no autism. These results should be taken into account in gender identity assessment and affirmation processes to ensure that the unique needs of adolescents with autism spectrum disorder are recognised and supported.

Keywords

• adolescence
• autism
• gender dysphoria
• mental health
• suicidality
• self-harming behaviour