The phenomenology of gender dysphoria in autism: a multi-perspective qualitative analysis

Kate Cooper; William  Mandy; Catherine Butler; Ailsa Russell

doi:10.1111/jcpp.13691

The phenomenology of gender dysphoria in autism: a multi-perspective qualitative analysis

Kate Cooper, William Mandy, Catherine Butler, Ailsa Russell

University College London

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

18 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

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.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	265-276
Number of pages	12
Journal	Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry
Volume	64
Issue number	2
Early online date	12 Sept 2022
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.13691
Publication status	Published - 28 Feb 2023

Bibliographical note

The authors thank the Spectrum Support Group for their advice regarding the design and conduct of this research. All authors contributed to formulating the research question, study design and the write up. K.C. led on data collection and analysis, with support from the co-authors. Consent was not gained to share the full transcripts outside of the research team. K.C. is funded by a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Fellowship (ICA-CDRF-2018-04-ST2-047). The authors have declared that they have no competing or potential conflicts of interest.

Keywords

Autism spectrum disorders
adolescence
gender dysphoria
gender identity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
Developmental and Educational Psychology
Psychiatry and Mental health

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1111/jcpp.13691Licence: CC BY

Cite this

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title = "The phenomenology of gender dysphoria in autism: a multi-perspective qualitative analysis",

abstract = "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, {\textquoteleft}discovering gender identity{\textquoteright} and {\textquoteleft}the complexities of moving towards gender comfort{\textquoteright}. 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.",

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The phenomenology of gender dysphoria in autism: a multi-perspective qualitative analysis

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

Access to Document

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Autism and Gender Dysphoria

Cite this

The phenomenology of gender dysphoria in autism: a multi-perspective qualitative analysis

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Projects

Autism and Gender Dysphoria

Cite this