Self-Reported Autism Spectrum Disorder Symptoms Among Adults Referred to a Gender Identity Clinic.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to (1) investigate autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms in a sample of adults referred for gender dysphoria (GD) compared to typically developing (TD) populations, (2) see whether males assigned at birth with GD (MaBGDs) and females assigned at birth with GD (FaBGDs) differ in ASD symptom levels, (3) study the role of sexual orientation, and (4) investigate ASD symptoms' correlation with GD symptoms.


METHODS
The Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) was used to measure ASD symptoms, and the Utrecht Gender Dysphoria Scale (UGDS) was used to measure the intensity of GD. Mean AQ scores of adults referred for GD (n = 326; 191 MaBGD and 135 FaBGD) were compared to three TD populations taken from the literature (n = 1316; 667 male and 644 female, 5 birth-assigned sex unknown).


RESULTS
The mean AQ score in individuals referred for GD was similar to the TD samples. FaBGDs showed higher mean AQ scores than MaBGDs, and they had mean scores similar to TD individuals of the same experienced gender (TD males). After selecting individuals with an UGDS score indicative of GD, a positive association between ASD and GD symptoms was found.


CONCLUSION
The co-occurrence of GD and ASD in adults may not be as prevalent as previously suggested. Attenuation of sex differences in ASD might explain FaBGDs' and MaBGDs' ASD symptoms' similarity to those of TD individuals of the same experienced gender. Intensity of ASD symptoms might be correlated with intensity of GD symptoms, warranting further studies to elaborate on their potential co-occurrence.
['Vermaat|Lieke E W|LEW|', 'van der Miesen|Anna I R|AIR|', 'de Vries|Annelou L C|ALC|', 'Steensma|Thomas D|TD|', 'Popma|Arne|A|', 'Cohen-Kettenis|Peggy T|PT|', 'Kreukels|Baudewijntje P C|BPC|']
D000328:Adult D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder D005260:Female D000068116:Gender Dysphoria D006801:Humans D008297:Male D012017:Referral and Consultation D057566:Self Report
autism spectrum disorder gender dysphoria (GD) co-occurrence comorbidity gender identity disorder