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Gender Identity and Dysphoria
Gender identity and biological sex are different things. People are usually assigned a sex at birth according to their genitalia and sex chromosomes, male or female. Your can find out more about sex chromosomes and sex determination on the BBC bitesize website. The National Autistic Society (NAS) provide the following definitions:
Gender Identity
How someone feels about their gender is known as gender identity. Some people identify as the sex they were assigned with at birth, others don't. Some people may be assigned male at birth but identify as female. Some may be assigned female but identify as male, or people may identify as neither female nor male. Some people may feel both male and female at different times. We all express our gender in different ways, for example in how we dress and act.
Gender Dysphoria
People may experience discomfort or distress when their assigned sex is different from the gender they identify with, this is known as gender dysphoria (GD). There is some evidence to show a link between gender dysphoria and autism, and that autistic people may be more likely than other people to have gender dysphoria. However, there is little evidence about the reason(s) why, and some recent research suggests the link between autism and gender dysphoria is not so clear. More research is needed. More research is also required to develop and test assessment tools, support and treatment for autistic people experiencing gender dysphoria.
Support links
National Autistic Society (NAS): Sex Education - A guide for Parents
Visit the National Autistic Society website
NHS: Gender Dysphoria
Young Minds: Gender Identity
Stonewall: LGBTQ+ Support
Gender Identity Research & Education Society (GIRES): Support
MindMate: Gender & Neurodiversity
The Brain Charity: LGBTQ+ & Neurodiversity
Visit the Brain Charity website
Shout - Free Text Service for mental health support
Visit the Shout website or text SHOUT to 85258
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