Sally Russell - Netmums cofounder

[howdisappointing]

Today I attended a conference run by the National Autistic Society in which Sally Russell was a guest speaker.
After she spoke of her experiences of being a parent to a child with ASD she invited questions via an app. The first question was regarding the awful 'transphobia' on mumsnet (anonymous questioner had mixed up the two websites) and Sally was very quick to say that mumsnet was not anything to do with her and that she would love to be able to stop the awful conversations that go on here.

I am very worried that the NAS is therefore associating with someone who seems unable to engage in a debate about the link between ASD and transgender presentation. This is a particularly vulnerable group of young people who deserve to have this issue studied properly without fear of transactivist condemnation.

Does anyone have any info about the NAS official stance on this? I couldn't get to raise concerns at the time as questions were only taken via the app, which I wasn't able to download at the time.

NAS have an association with Mermaids I think. They did briefly reconsider and then recapitulate.

There was an NAS conference earlier in the year with several speakers that support the transitioning of children. I found it disconcerting that the NAS was not neutral in this.

If R0wan was here still she would be able to find the threads.

Yes over the last year or so there have been threads on an NAS conference with some very troubling slides indeed, and also if I recall correctly some mermaids cheerleading on their website.

That's appalling! The conference today was regarding pathological demand avoidance and another speaker described how those with this profile frequently retreat into fantasy and roleplay. Surely it's not a massive leap to see that assuming a different gender identity is akin to roleplay? Not necessarily a problem in itself if this is a source of comfort for the young person but definitely a problem if combined with untested medical intervention.

There's someone who's been advising the NAS (Joe Butler I think) for a while although last time I looked it did look like they had some clinicians advising too - to be honest I found it extremely affirming and not unravelling the issues.

But I also found the info of girls with asd extremely gender stereotypical too which surprised me. It didn't match what I felt I knew; it also struck me that I've taught a number of boys that would have fitted their 'girl' stereotype - basically stereotypes are not great.

I fully understand the purpose is to try to raise awareness of and identify girls with asd who might other wise be missed; and certainly it's likely to fit many girls who have sort of coped in mainstream and are academically able - but as I say, the stereotype did not fit all the girls I know with asd.

I haven't looked for a while.

Agony Autie and a few others in the media around autism are rather pro trans or rather don't really see the issues.

Cross post op; yes absolutely I agree with you. In fact I was just making that exact analogy the other day about a child I taught who was gender querying many years ago. He was supported by GIDs and decided he was happy in his body and just enjoyed fashion.

This is a really common occurrence and one that can be very problematic depending on the role play channelled. Thomas the tank is one thing; war games is another.

The role play can also be a vehicle for communication; a type of echolalia.

Cats and dinosaurs are common too.

NeutrotrashWarrior - what do you mean about cats and dinosaurs, is that the child role plays as a cat or dinosaur? Just interested because of someone I know.

It literally makes no sense that a young person could equally likely immerse themselves in roleplay about being a cat or about being the opposite sex but with one of those options could find themselves lined up for hormonal and surgical intervention!

This is the conference thread from earlier this year www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3569719-Autism-and-gender-NAS-conference

And one from a year ago about NAS www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3384565-Good-news-from-the-National-Autistic-Society-regarding-Mermaids-Please-help

I found a couple of others via the search option but they seem to be deleted.

Just watching this thread following last night's newsnight programme and the reference to autism as being (sometimes) a factor for young girls who think they are trans. (Also child abuse or being lesbian).

Would like to think that the NAS would be more watchful on behalf of the group of people who say they are representing.

Thanks stumbled
I've always thought of the NAS as a solid, research orientated organisation and was really looking forward to today but just that one little comment from Russell has opened a real can of worms for me!

The national autistic society was totally useless long before they signed up to the TRA ideology.

Can you explain that a bit @CaptainKirksSpikeyGhost

(Parent of two autistic children)

The idea that people are assessed for transition based on a proclivity for cross-sex play is outdated and false.

It is often used to start a conversation, it is never used to diagnose.

There is plenty of evidence that trans kids have the full range of expressions both same-sex and cross-sex.

www.newsweek.com/transgender-kids-living-identity-develop-cis-children-1471729

Personal experience, I've received more help from this website than i ever have from the NAS.

So the mum world is divided between nice mums and nasty mums. I know my tribe.

@ProstheticConscience

Sorry I missed your message.

Pretending to be a cat or Dino. Or other animal.

But in public (eg at school) over the age of perhaps 5/6.

That's not to say a child without autism wont pretend to be an animal to home or when playing; but they will understand context and appropriateness within different social contexts. Difficulties with being aware of social norms etc can be an autistic trait.

I've taught a few children who speak to me in cat or Dino language sometimes up to y6.