The initial extensive investigation into the experiences of transgender individuals on the autism spectrum reveals that they tend to face persistent mental and physical health issues, with notably high instances of self-harming behaviors, as indicated by findings from the Autism Research Center at Cambridge University.
According to the researchers, these individuals also indicate that the quality of healthcare they receive is inferior compared to both autistic and non-autistic individuals whose gender identity aligns with their sex assigned at birth.
Dr. Elizabeth Weir, a postdoctoral scientist at the Autism Research Center and one of the study's leading researchers, stated, “These results contribute to the increasing evidence that a significant number of autistic individuals suffer from alarmingly poor mental health and are at a substantial risk for suicidal behaviors. It's crucial to examine how various aspects of identity, such as gender, affect these risks.”
This report follows up on a 2020 study from Cambridge that established a correlation between transgender identities and autism, showing that transgender individuals tend to exhibit more autistic traits than the general population. Numerous studies have supported this finding, indicating that autistic individuals are more prone to experience gender dysphoria compared to others.
The outcomes from the 2020 study were derived from feedback from over 640,000 participants. The latest research, which appeared in Molecular Autism, analyzed the experiences of 174 autistic transgender individuals, 1,094 autistic cisgender individuals, and 1,295 non-autistic cisgender individuals.
When compared to non-autistic cisgender individuals, autistic transgender individuals reported experiencing anxiety, “shutdowns,” and “meltdowns” related to typical healthcare encounters at rates three to eleven times higher.
Moreover, transgender or gender-diverse autistic adults were found to be 2.3 times more likely to indicate having a physical health issue and 10.9 times more likely to report a mental health condition in contrast to non-autistic cisgender adults.
Only about 10% of autistic transgender adults expressed agreement with the following statements: 1) They understood their healthcare professional's explanations regarding their health; 2) They were aware of what was expected of them during healthcare visits; and 3) They could articulate the severity of their pain.
The study further validated the rationale for recognizing autistic individuals as a priority demographic in the U.K. Department of Health and Social Care’s “Suicide Prevention Strategy for England: 2023 to 2028.” Autistic transgender individuals are reported to be 5.8 times more likely to self-harm compared to non-autistic cisgender individuals, with autistic cisgender individuals following closely at a rate of 4.6 times.
Prof. Sir Simon Baron-Cohen, Director of the Autism Research Center and part of the research team, remarked, “It’s essential to rethink healthcare systems and personal care to cater to the needs of autistic transgender and gender-diverse individuals. Collaboration among policymakers, clinicians, and researchers with autistic individuals is vital for enhancing current systems and minimizing healthcare barriers.”
The study concluded, “Acknowledging the challenges faced and making reasonable adjustments are crucial for individuals with marginalized, intersectional identities within clinical practice.”
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