ERIC Number: EJ1360758
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023-Jan
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1362-3613
EISSN: EISSN-1461-7005
Healthcare Clinician Perspectives on the Intersection of Autism and Gender Dysphoria
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, v27 n1 p31-42 Jan 2023
Autistic people are over-represented at gender clinics, but there is limited research to guide clinical practice with this group. We investigated the perspectives of clinicians working with autistic patients who experience gender dysphoria. We asked clinicians about the relationship between autism and gender dysphoria, and whether they work differently with this patient group. We recruited clinicians from young person and adult gender clinics and autism services (n = 16). We analysed the interview transcripts using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). The first overarching theme was clinician understanding of the intertwined experiences of patients, with four subthemes: (a) coming to an individualised understanding of autism, gender dysphoria, and mental health; (b) different ways of thinking about gender; (c) social differences as barriers and facilitators to gender comfort; (d) the challenge of sensory sensitivities and puberty. The second overarching theme was mismatch of patient and clinician communication styles and goals, with three subthemes: (a) different communication of gender needs; (b) changing clinical sessions to overcome barriers; (c) tension between clinician and patient aims and thinking styles. We conclude that autism adaptations should be made in gender settings, by increasing clinician understanding of how autism and gender dysphoria can intersect, as well as by making adjustments to clinic processes.
Descriptors: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Sexual Identity, Correlation, Patients, Clinics, Knowledge Level, Mental Health, Gender Issues, Social Influences, Barriers, Sensory Experience, Puberty, Interpersonal Communication, Needs, Health Services, Youth, Adults, Foreign Countries, Health Personnel
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom (England)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A