Abstract
Autistic traits are over-represented in transgender populations, and gender variance is high in autistic individuals. Furthermore, some evidence suggests that the autism/transgender overlap is limited to individuals sex assigned female. Few studies, however, have investigated the impact of this overlap on mental health. This study therefore sought to investigate whether the autism/transgender overlap confers an increased risk of depression or anxiety. An online study of 727 individuals revealed a substantial overlap between transgender identity and autism, with increased autistic traits found in trans men compared to trans women. Depression and anxiety were highest in autistic-trans individuals, but no superadditive effect was observed. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to the wider healthcare system.
Highlights
Autism diagnosis and autistic traits are more common in the transgender population than in the wider, population
Current study and hypotheses The present study examined the overlap between trans identity and autism in a large sample of adults using an online questionnaire assessing autistic traits, gender identity, depression and anxiety
Within the sample not reporting a diagnosis of autism (N = 665), 566 individuals identified as cis (85.1%) and 99 individuals identified as trans (14.9%)
Summary
Autism diagnosis and autistic traits are more common in the transgender population than in the wider (cisgender; see below), population (e.g., de Vries, Noens, Cohen-Kettenis, van BerckelaerOnnes, and Doreleijers, 2010). This overlap is not well understood nor appreciated. Transgender is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity does not match their sex assigned at birth (hereafter ‘trans’) (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), n.d.). Trans men are individuals whose sex assigned at birth was female and identify as male, whereas trans women’s sex assigned at birth was male but they identify as female Cisgender refers to those whose gender identity matches their sex assigned at birth (hereafter ‘cis’)
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