Phenomenology of gender dysphoria in autism: a multiperspective qualitative analysis.
Autism spectrum disorders
adolescence
gender dysphoria
gender identity
Journal
Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines
ISSN: 1469-7610
Titre abrégé: J Child Psychol Psychiatry
Pays: England
ID NLM: 0375361
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
02 2023
02 2023
Historique:
accepted:
18
07
2022
pubmed:
13
9
2022
medline:
17
1
2023
entrez:
12
9
2022
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Autistic people are overrepresented in gender clinic settings, but limited evidence is available to guide clinical decision making for this patient group. We aimed to generate a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenology of gender dysphoria in autistic people. We conducted a multi-perspectival interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), from five different perspectives; autistic young people and adults with experience of gender dysphoria, parents of young people, and clinicians working with autistic people with gender dysphoria in both adult and young person settings (n = 68). IPA analysis resulted in two themes, 'discovering gender identity' and 'the complexities of moving towards gender comfort'. Participants agreed that there was often an interaction between gender dysphoria and features of autism such as sensory sensitivities. There was relative consensus across groups about the need for autism adaptations to be made in gender clinics. Autistic adults were more likely to see autism as an important identity than young people, but both groups were clear that autism did not impair their understanding of gender. In contrast, some parents and clinicians working with young people expressed concern that autism did impact self-understanding. While the groups tended to agree on the ways in which particular features of autism can compound gender dysphoria, there were a range of perspectives on the ways in which autism impacted on self-knowledge. Recommendations for adaptations when working with autistic people with gender dysphoria are presented.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Autistic people are overrepresented in gender clinic settings, but limited evidence is available to guide clinical decision making for this patient group. We aimed to generate a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenology of gender dysphoria in autistic people.
METHODS
We conducted a multi-perspectival interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), from five different perspectives; autistic young people and adults with experience of gender dysphoria, parents of young people, and clinicians working with autistic people with gender dysphoria in both adult and young person settings (n = 68).
RESULTS
IPA analysis resulted in two themes, 'discovering gender identity' and 'the complexities of moving towards gender comfort'. Participants agreed that there was often an interaction between gender dysphoria and features of autism such as sensory sensitivities. There was relative consensus across groups about the need for autism adaptations to be made in gender clinics. Autistic adults were more likely to see autism as an important identity than young people, but both groups were clear that autism did not impair their understanding of gender. In contrast, some parents and clinicians working with young people expressed concern that autism did impact self-understanding.
DISCUSSION
While the groups tended to agree on the ways in which particular features of autism can compound gender dysphoria, there were a range of perspectives on the ways in which autism impacted on self-knowledge.
CONCLUSION
Recommendations for adaptations when working with autistic people with gender dysphoria are presented.
Identifiants
pubmed: 36089890
doi: 10.1111/jcpp.13691
pmc: PMC10087378
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
265-276Informations de copyright
© 2022 The Authors. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health.
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