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Elevated rates of autism, other neurodevelopmental and psychiatric diagnoses, and autistic traits in transgender and gender-diverse individuals

Author

Listed:
  • Varun Warrier

    (University of Cambridge)

  • David M. Greenberg

    (University of Cambridge
    Bar-Ilan University)

  • Elizabeth Weir

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Clara Buckingham

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Paula Smith

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Meng-Chuan Lai

    (University of Cambridge
    University of Toronto
    National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine)

  • Carrie Allison

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Simon Baron-Cohen

    (University of Cambridge)

Abstract

It is unclear whether transgender and gender-diverse individuals have elevated rates of autism diagnosis or traits related to autism compared to cisgender individuals in large non-clinic-based cohorts. To investigate this, we use five independently recruited cross-sectional datasets consisting of 641,860 individuals who completed information on gender, neurodevelopmental and psychiatric diagnoses including autism, and measures of traits related to autism (self-report measures of autistic traits, empathy, systemizing, and sensory sensitivity). Compared to cisgender individuals, transgender and gender-diverse individuals have, on average, higher rates of autism, other neurodevelopmental and psychiatric diagnoses. For both autistic and non-autistic individuals, transgender and gender-diverse individuals score, on average, higher on self-report measures of autistic traits, systemizing, and sensory sensitivity, and, on average, lower on self-report measures of empathy. The results may have clinical implications for improving access to mental health care and tailoring adequate support for transgender and gender-diverse individuals.

Suggested Citation

  • Varun Warrier & David M. Greenberg & Elizabeth Weir & Clara Buckingham & Paula Smith & Meng-Chuan Lai & Carrie Allison & Simon Baron-Cohen, 2020. "Elevated rates of autism, other neurodevelopmental and psychiatric diagnoses, and autistic traits in transgender and gender-diverse individuals," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-17794-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17794-1
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    Cited by:

    1. McNamara, Meredithe & McLamore, Quinnehtukqut & Meade, Nicolas & Olgun, Melisa & Robinson, Henry & Alstott, Anne, 2024. "A thematic analysis of disinformation in gender-affirming healthcare bans in the United States," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 351(C).
    2. Flynn, Susan, 2021. "Convergent identities, compounded risk: Intersectionality and parenting capacity assessment for disabled children," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 129(C).
    3. Abigail Mulcahy & Carl G. Streed & Anna Marie Wallisch & Katie Batza & Noelle Kurth & Jean P. Hall & Darcy Jones McMaughan, 2022. "Gender Identity, Disability, and Unmet Healthcare Needs among Disabled People Living in the Community in the United States," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-19, February.

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