Gabi Barrocas | December 27th, 2024
Neurodiversity refers to the diversity of human minds due to our infinite differences in neurocognitive function. Our brains are all considered diverse in that we all require different demands when it comes to productivity and sociability. However, the term “neurodivergent” tends to refer to those with neurological conditions such ADHD, depression, autism, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, and dyslexia.
Neurological variation is natural and essential for the success of humans as a species. Therefore, neurodiversity advocates view these variations from a strength-based perspective. As we know, neurodivergent individuals are distinct from one another, and so their interests and desires pertaining to sex and sexuality will also be diverse.
Studies have shown that individuals outside the cis-hetero binary were three to six times more likely to have an autism diagnosis, excluding individuals who are undiagnosed. The same studies also seem to show higher rates of ADHD diagnoses among individuals who identify as queer. The intersectionality of gender and neurodiversity has been growing more apparent in recent years. Like neurodiversity, gender affirmation isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” idea. There exists a diverse range of neurodivergent individuals within the gender-diverse community.
Researchers in the Department of Psychiatry at Vanderbilt found that children with autism face higher rates of gender diversity than their neurotypical peers, meaning that the way they experience gender may be more distinct compared to their peers. A study led by Dr. Blythe Corbett and James Blakemore found that children with autism experience higher rates of nonbinary identification and showed the importance of understanding the unique needs of children with autism who experience gender diversity.
“Importantly, the results also show that some individuals with ASD and gender diversity may have higher mental health challenges that necessitate multidisciplinary support,” Corbett said. “It is important to recognize that co-occurence of gender and neurodiversity may contribute to greater psychological, emotional, clinical, and ethical challenges for both the child and their families especially within a complicated social and political context.”
There are no clear reasons yet to explain the overlap between the neurodiverse and gender-diverse communities. Some experts believe it has to do with social experiences: individuals with autism are less influenced by social norms and often present themselves in a more authentic light compared to neurotypical individuals.
When we think about this intersection, we realize that everyone has a different life experience that involves different ways of processing and perceiving the world. If we incorporate this mindset, we are one step closer to inclusion. Clinicians and educators should normalize talking to people with autism about gender identity because of the potential mental health implications that can result from ‘minority stress.’ Nearly 70% of gender-diverse adolescents with autism desire medical gender-related care. Clinicians should be able to help neurodiverse people navigate gender identity transitions and have the same access to gender-affirming healthcare as those accessed by neurotypical individuals.
References
Corbett, B. A., Muscatello, R. A., Klemencic, M. E., West, M., Kim, A., & Strang, J. F. (2023). Greater gender diversity among autistic children by self-report and parent-report. Autism, 27(1), 158-172. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613221085337
Sadikova, E., Wyss, S., Willing, L., Caplan, R., Pervez, N., Nowak, J., Gohari, D., Gomez-Lobo, V., Call, D., & Anthony, L. G. (2018). “They Thought It Was an Obsession”: Trajectories and Perspectives of Autistic Transgender and Gender-Diverse Adolescents. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 48(12), 4039–4055. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-018-3723-6
Strang, J. F., Powers, M. D., Knauss, M., Sibarium, E., Leibowitz, S. F., Kenworthy, L.,
Warrier, V., & Baron-Cohen, S. (2023, June 8). Transgender and gender diverse people up to six times more likely to be autistic – new study. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/transgender-and-gender-diverse-people-up-to-six-times-more-likely-to-be-autistic-new-study-144085