Is It Autism? A Critical Commentary on the Co-Occurrence of Gender Dysphoria and Autism Spectrum Disorder

Bibliographic Data

ID11623678
AuthorsAlexandro Fortunato (0000-0001-5543-3805, Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, “Sapienza,” University of Rome, Italy, corresponding author), Guido Giovanardi (0000-0003-1620-5521, Department of Psychology, University of Campania, “Luigi Vanvitelli,” University of Caserta, Italy), Eleonora Innocenzi (0009-0001-5490-4035, Department of Letters and Philosophy, “Tor Vergata,” University of Rome, Italy), Marta Mirabella (0000-0002-9720-3781, Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, “Sapienza,” University of Rome, Italy), Giorgio Caviglia (0000-0003-2564-1966, Department of Psychology, University of Campania, “Luigi Vanvitelli,” University of Caserta, Italy), Vittorio Lingiardi (0000-0002-1298-3935, Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, “Sapienza,” University of Rome, Italy), Anna Maria Speranza (0000-0001-8988-2940, Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, “Sapienza,” University of Rome, Italy)
Year2021
Volume69
Issue7
Pages1204-1221
Publication date2021-04-14
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Homosexuality (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0091-8369 • E-ISSN: 1540-3602
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00918369.2021.1905385
PMID33852376
OpenAlexW3156048947
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited80

An increasing amount of literature revealed a link between GD and ASD. Both GD and ASD are complex and heterogeneous conditions characterized by a large variety of presentations. Studies have reported that individuals with GD tend to have higher prevalence rates of autistic traits in comparison to the general population. The purpose of this commentary is to provide, through the description of a clinical case, our reading and a possible interpretation of the correlation of these two conditions in light of the several methodological limitations found in literature. We hypothesize that the traits often classified as autistic could be more accurately related to the distress and discomfort evoked by GD. The autistic traits of individuals with GD as forms of psychological defenses and coping mechanisms aimed at dealing with socio-relational and identity problems are discussed

Autism · Autism spectrum disorder · Autistic traits · Coping (psychology · Developmental psychology · Distress · Gender dysphoria · Gender identity · Population · Autism Spectrum Disorder Research · Child Development and Digital Technology · Clinical Psychology · Medicine · Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders · Psychology · Social Psychology

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