Autistic traits in individuals self-defining as transgender or nonbinary

Area of Science:

• Neurodevelopmental disorders
• Gender identity research
• Clinical psychology

Background:

• Increasing reports of autism spectrum traits in transgender individuals.
• Limited understanding of autism traits in nonbinary populations.
• Clinical support implications for gender-diverse individuals with autistic traits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate autistic traits in transgender and nonbinary individuals.
• To compare autistic traits across cisgender, transgender, and nonbinary groups.
• To contribute empirical data to the understanding of autism in gender diversity.

Main Methods:

• Survey of 177 participants using Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), Empathy Quotient (EQ), Systematising Quotient (SQ), and Reading the Mind in the Eyes Task (RME).
• Comparative analysis between cisgender, transgender, and nonbinary groups.
• Assessment of autistic traits and potential autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses.

Main Results:

• Over-representation of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) traits in transgender and nonbinary groups.
• Systematising and empathy levels differed significantly between gender diverse and cisgender groups.
• Higher autistic traits and ASD prevalence observed in individuals assigned female at birth compared to those assigned male at birth.

Conclusions:

• A subset of individuals seeking gender identity support exhibit autistic traits or undiagnosed autism.
• Potential challenges in support delivery due to lower empathy, diminished theory of mind, and literalness.
• Clinical recommendation for assessing undiagnosed ASD in transgender and nonbinary clients, especially those assigned female at birth.