Resource thread, autism and transgender issues.

[jamrollyolly]

I've been looking for resources about the number of autistic children identifying as transgender. I was hoping to share the information with an online sen parent support group that I am part of. I think it would be good to warn parents of this possible problem so they can be vigilant against it.

I've spent the morning trawling the internet but haven't found anything specifically related to that. Plus I'll confess I don't know how to do the clicks link anyway.

Are there any amazing MN researchers able to help?

You should look for Tavistock stats as that’s where I think the connection is being made.
You might also like to look for research and articles on those on the spectrum being more likely to be either strongly gender non-conforming or strongly gender conforming. There’s a study somewhere I once saw linked to here.

SEarch terms “autism transgender girls” brings up loads of stuff, then add in Tavistock

Your turn of phrase is a bit strange though “ vigulent agaisnt” what exactly? Is questioning gender and your identity a problem ?

Thanks everyone, I'm looking into all of that.

Midge, Questioning identity and gender is great. It can, however be an area of concern for autistic teens ( like mine) who often feel they don't fit in. If it is suggested that the reason that they don't fit in is because they are in fact transgender, this sometimes vulnerable group (who often have difficulties understanding social cues ) may be mistaken into believing that.

Very good subject for a thread, OP.

Have you looked at what 4th Wave Now have on the subject?
A quick search came up with this:

4thwavenow.com/tag/autism-girls/

But I haven’t had time to look whether they have more. I also haven’t read the linked article properly, as I’m just off out.

From the National Autistic Society website:

www.autism.org.uk/about/what-is/gender.aspx

Sadly signposts to Mermaids and Stonewall

It all depends what you mean by questioning gender. If you mean it how stonewall means it then I am absolutely clear it will add nothing I’d benefit to ds’s life at all and I will shield him from their pernicious rubbish to the best of my ability.

It was the turn of phrase, But i am having a sensitive ( fly of handle ) day sorry....( HUNGRY)

That's so disappointing Lettera. I know the NAS took the Mermaids ref off the site but reinstated it after TRA pressure

It’s really irritating about the NAS, we could do with the help of a charity with our child on the spectrum but I no longer trust them.

It is really annoying about the NAS, they could have been a great ally.

Thanks for the suggestions, I've spent most of the day chasing the dog(!) but I'm still figuring out how to link. I'll get there!

Tbh I fell out with NAS over their mealy mouthedness re ABA. I surprised to see them in bed with the quacks and charlatans of the genderist movement. We deserve better

Tony Attwood discussing GD, quite surprised in this video that he doesn't really mention those with ASD are more prone to identify as trans due to wanting to fit it with their peers eg a girl doesn't fit in easily with the other girls so thinks she must be a boy or vice versa, which is what he'd said in another video I watched recently that I can't find.

Thanks left, great video.
The other video you're remembering might have been from a thread last week, "help find post on gender identity from autistic poster." If I knew how to add it I would!

m.youtube.com/watch?v=ngFueUBbIA0#fauxfullscreen

Fingers crossed that this works. He drafts to talk about gender issues about 33 min in.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6401947/How-NHS-childrens-transgender-clinic-buried-fact-372-1-069-patients-autistic.html?ito=emailsharee_article-factbox

www.nationalreview.com/magazine/2019/04/22/the-trans-child-as-experimental-guinea-pig/

Another interesting article, from the telegraph. www.telegraph.co.uk/women/life/10-years-ask-did-allow-trans-lobby-hijack-childhood/

This is from research at Cambridge University

www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110505103241.htm

Sorry can’t help really, but have a DS with ASD, and just wanted to say that this is a useful and welcome post.

I have been saddened by the huge increase in girls with autism being channelled down the trans route. My DS used to get hysterical over imprints on his ankles from socks, and by just growing taller or having a haircut. He is disturbed by any change and particularly the changes of adolescence.

For a girl, the changes are I think so much greater, the perceived shift into a sexual - and sexualised being must be traumatic for many children with ASD. I have a niece who is also ASD, who was only diagnosed much later, post adolescence, but has felt for years that she has not “fitted in” or been like other girls.

The trans narrative provides an enticing simple solution. Unfortunately life isn’t like that and for children with ASD, feeling the confidence to be accepted, and to deal with change is a long journey.

No help, Im sorry OP as you know this......just wanted to say.

Thanks Nellie, nice to know I'm not just posting to myself!

I do think it's important that families with autistic children are aware of the narrative being put forward, especially on social media.

Perhaps if you are a member of any support groups you could forward the thread or some posts to them.

Thanks to Rowan, I got this story from today's thread about the fantastic Times articles today.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6401593/Whistleblower-teacher-makes-shocking-claim-autistic.html

If anyone else has anything to add, or are members of any sen support groups they'd like to forward this to, I think today would be s great day to do it!

That linked article about the teacher reminded me of when we were out campaigning last year I was talking to a teacher who had said their school had 2 f2m, and 1m2f child, nodding along as I talked about GNC and children on the autistic spectrum more likely to ID as trans, agreed that the girls fit, then turned round and said 'it's their choice', couldn't see any safeguarding issues at all!

So it's good to read some teachers are concerned and not so blasé about the number of trans children.

Thanks Left

I think a lot of teachers are afraid to speak out or don't think it's their area of concern. That is why it's so important that this is seen as a safeguarding issue, as safeguarding has to be the primary concern of everyone that works in a school.

I see that the National Autistic Society are planning a conference entitled Autisim, gender and sexuality on the 17th of May.
Speakers include, Jonathan Andrews on the board of Stonewall, and James Barrett of the Charing Cross Gender Identity Clinic. Would be interesting to get feed back on this. Would go myself but it's in Leeds and can't manage. learn.autism.org.uk/ehome/index.php?eventid=200187214&