By Maddie Kerr

Many people who are transgender, or whose gender does not align their sex assigned at birth, are also autistic. Autistic transgender people have increasingly shared their experiences through research, personal narratives, and self-advocacy. However, misleading claims about autism and transgender identity have recently spread within popular media and politics. Some policymakers have even misused research about this intersection to promote bans on gender-affirming medical care for transgender people. To better inform policies and practices that impact transgender autistic people’s lives, we address some common myths below. 

Myth: Traits like “obsessiveness” or “rigid thinking” lead autistic people to identify as transgender. 

A few researchers have speculated that autistic people often identify as transgender due to “obsessional interests,” rigid thinking,” or similar traits. Sensational news stories have used these ideas to claim that many young people seeking gender-affirming care are “just autistic,” implying that young people cannot be both autistic and transgender. Health care providers and families also sometimes believe these ideas, which can create barriers to receiving and providing support for autistic transgender people. 

Importantly, existing studies have not found direct, consistent evidence for these beliefs. Some—though not all—autistic transgender individuals do find that their different ways of thinking relate to their experiences with gender. However, this does not mean that autistic transgender people’s identities are caused by certain deficits or are not “real.” For example, some nonbinary autistic adults say that being autistic helped them explore and express their gender outside of the traditional gender categories of “man” or “woman.”  

Myth: Autistic people are more likely to identify as transgender because it is a social trend. 

Some people claim that autistic people often identify as transgender to feel included, escape bullying, or cope with feeling different from their peers. This idea stems from the broader myth that being transgender is simply a trend among young people who are experiencing social difficulties. Despite being based on flawed studies, certain individuals and organizations have promoted this myth as a reason to prevent transgender youth from socially or medically transitioning. 

Bullying and isolation do disproportionately impact autistic youth. However, this does not mean that autistic youth identify as transgender to avoid social adversity. In fact, transgender youth are at an increased risk for bullying, especially due to transphobia in schools without affirming policies and environments. Additionally, many autistic transgender youths have a strong sense of their gender identity and related needs that continues into adulthood. Policies and practices that dismiss transgender experiences as a trend are both unscientific and unethical 

Myth: Autism and transgender identity are “comorbid disorders.” 

Another myth is that autism and transgender identity are co-occurring “disorders” caused by a shared biological factor, like genetics, hormones, or brain structure. In the media and politics, some people even claim that autistic transgender people only identify as their gender because something is physically wrong with them. 

A few researchers have investigated biological explanations for why many autistic people are transgender. Again, studies have not found consistent support for these theories. Over-emphasizing potential biological causes can also inaccurately imply that transgender identity and autism are diseases that should be cured. Additionally, this takes attention away from autistic transgender people’s current needs for autism-affirming and gender-affirming health care.  

Gender identity is more complex than a single biological or social factor can explain, whether you are autistic, transgender, both, or neither. However, we do know that social support and acceptance are key to promoting well-being for transgender autistic people. 

What’s next? 

Widespread misconceptions about autistic transgender people can threaten their rights to express themselves, have their identities acknowledged, and control their own health care. In contrast, well-informed policies and practices can play a key role in advancing the well-being of this community. 

Community advocates, clinicians, and academic experts call for increasing access to services that meet autistic transgender people’s intersecting medical and social needs. It is also crucial to listen to and support organizations that advocate for autistic people with marginalized gender identities. Finally, we must promote research that involves autistic transgender people as collaborators to truly understand their experiences. 

For more information and helpful tools, please browse the resources below: 

Advocacy and policy 

Guidance for healthcare professionals: 

Tools for researchers: 

  • Community-Based Participatory Design for Research that Impacts the Lives of Transgender and/or Gender-Diverse Autistic and/or Neurodiverse People (research article/guidelines) 

Community narratives and research: 

Click to rate this post!
[Total: 1 Average: 5]