Table of Contents
Foreword Dr Emma Goodall 9
Acknowledgements 11
Introduction 13
Wenn 13
Yenn 20
Chapter 1 Autism and Gender Identity 25
Autism profiles 26
EDA/PDA characteristics 31
Trans and gender diverse 33
Gender diversity 34
Autism, gender and the non-autistic population 35
Chapter 2 Gender Diversity, Affirming Gender and Transitioning 39
Introduction 39
What is gender? 40
Gender transition/affirmation 40
Gender and autism 41
Different gender identities 43
Autism and gender diversity - intersectionality 46
Autism and gender diversity - what the research says 48
Common experiences for trans and gender-diverse autistic people 48
Common myths and misconceptions 50
Considerations about sexuality, sex and gender 51
Adults and children 52
Sensory issues 53
Body changes 54
Wenn's surgery experience 64
MTF breast growth stages during transitioning 68
Wenn's gender dysphoria after surgery 69
Considerations for younger people - autistic and trans identity 71
Considerations for older autistics 72
Changes in dress and expression 77
Legal changes 78
Bathrooms 80
Physical and social changes 82
Medical intervention 82
Fertility and reproduction 83
Chapter 3 Coming Out 85
Introduction 85
What if I am 'not trans enough'? 91
Coming out to self 93
Intimate relationships 95
Co-dependency 97
Chapter 4 Work and College 101
Introduction 101
Work 101
Finding work 102
Disclosure - gender and autism 104
Elements of work 105
Workplace transitioning guidelines 106
Disclosure - gender and autism at work or college 117
Study 117
Accessing health care 118
Renting properties 119
Travelling overseas 120
What supports can you access? 121
Advocacy opportunities 122
Chapter 5 Interoception, Camouflaging and Masking 124
Introduction 124
Being single-minded 125
Object permanence 125
Interoception 126
Neuroception and interoception: connections with gender identity in autism 126
Camouflage 131
Adaptive morphing 132
Being socially different 137
Language 138
Words, social attitudes and belief 139
Less small talk 140
Survival 140
Adaptive morphing in nature 143
Cis-female autistics? 144
Chapter 6 Older Autistic Trans Adults 148
Introduction 148
What issues do trans and gender-diverse autistic adults face? 149
Answers to some common questions about autism and gender diversity 152
Affirming gender - practical strategies 156
Being yourself 163
Strategies or ways of thinking and acting that might add to the clues for understanding who we are 163
Emergency situations 164
What to do if, what to do when, and how to do it 166
Chapter 7 Strategies and Tips to Promote Pride and Strength 168
Advocacy, rights and education 168
Autistic pride and trans pride 170
Gender diversity and the autistic community 171
Yenn's journey - early experiences of non-binary pride 173
Living with your transgender self 178
Strengths 179
Chapter 8 Mental Health 182
Autism and mental health 182
Some interesting points 183
Trans and gender-diverse mental health 183
What is post-traumatic stress disorder? 184
Strategies to promote good mental health 187
Self-awareness and acceptance 189
References 191
Index 199
