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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Autism and gender

54 replies

CrispsCoffee · 27/02/2025 16:31

My daughter (9) has recently been diagnosed with ASD. I'm trying to find resources for both her and me to help us to understand the diagnosis and what it means to be autistic. But I'm finding there is a lot of emphasis on gender diversity, transgender issues, being "cis" or not etc.

I'm gender critical and I worry that gender activists are quite active in the autism/neurodivergent community because it might feel to a young ND person that being "trans" explains their differences and the challenges they face. I think this could make ND kids more susceptible to gender ideology.

All this to say, does anyone have any resources they could point me to which don't focus on gender issues and autism? Ideally for both me and my daughter.

OP posts:
GatherlyGal · 27/02/2025 17:25

Not sure about the National Autistic Society @Leafstamp they are well and truly on the gender train or at least they were.

I went to an autism and gender conference a few years ago that they put on and it was horrifying.

It's a real shame OP but I agree there's not much available that isn't gender related.

My advice is check everything thoroughly before you share it with her because gender and identity issues are being shoe-horned in all over the place.

Beamur · 27/02/2025 17:19

I think you keep it age appropriate. But ASD kids are more highly represented in groups identifying out of their sex.
As parent to a girl with ASD and who struggled a lot with gender based stuff, I'd say keep talking. Watch their internet consumption and social media from the start. Don't let them have access to things like ticktok and Instagram before they're properly ready for it. There's a lot of misinformation out there.
Autistic girls can be late to mature - DD found herself quite out of step with peers in early teenagehood and found boys quite repellent.
It's important to foster good self esteem and acceptance of their body - keep active and in touch with their physical self.
Ultimately though they are their own person and will form their own views. Help them by showing how to think critically and look for trustworthy information.

PencilForScale · 27/02/2025 17:11

You want to look at Transgender Trend, the charity Appeer (if you are near Surrey especially) and there is a poster here who has some very good stuff written into her daughter's ECHP about gender.

Leafstamp · 27/02/2025 17:09

I would be tempted to contact National Autistic Society and ask them. Kind of to make a point - see what they say.

I do appreciate that’s probably not necessarily the response you wanted though.

You could try reaching out to this group, if you are on X

https://x.com/gcautistic/status/1686262331318149120?s=46

It also looks like @neuropoppins has a blog and has posted on here before so she might see this thread.

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