The co-occurrence of neurodevelopmental disorders in gender dysphoria: Characteristics within a paediatric treatment-seeking cohort and factors that predict distress pertaining to gender.

This study looked at 64 young people with gender dysphoria (feeling distressed about their assigned gender). About 1 in 5 also had neurodevelopmental conditions like autism. While those with these conditions showed more autistic traits, their levels of distress about gender were similar to others. The research found that general psychological distress was more important in predicting gender-related distress than autistic traits.

This study examined 64 children and adolescents (mean age 12.91 years) with gender dysphoria attending a hospital-based gender service to investigate the frequency of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) and factors contributing to gender-related distress. Results showed 20.31% (13 participants) had co-occurring NDD diagnoses, with these individuals displaying elevated autistic traits compared to other participants. However, they did not differ in psychological distress or gender-related distress. Regression analysis revealed that general psychological distress, rather than autistic traits, accounted for 9.9% of variability in gender-related distress.

The findings suggest NDDs are common in this population but that psychological distress is more predictive of gender-related distress than autistic characteristics.

Clinicians should screen for neurodevelopmental disorders when working with youth presenting with gender dysphoria. Treatment planning should consider both conditions but prioritize addressing general psychological distress as it appears more predictive of gender-related distress than autistic traits specifically.

Small sample size (n=64) from single hospital service limits generalizability. Study design not clearly specified. Reliance on questionnaire measures rather than comprehensive diagnostic assessments. Cross-sectional design prevents causal inferences about relationships between variables.

Gender dysphoria, characterised by distress associated with an incongruence between an individual's assigned and experienced gender, is encountered in 1%-2% of children and adolescents. Recent findings suggest neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), including Autism, are frequently reported among youth with Gender Dysphoria. This study aims to explore the frequency of NDDs in children and adolescents presenting to a hospital-based gender service, and to investigate the contribution of autistic traits and general psychological distress to distress pertaining to gender. Sixty-four participants (mean age = 12.91 years) with Gender Dysphoria were recruited to this study.

Self- and caregiver-report questionnaires were used to evaluate psychological distress, autistic traits, and distress pertaining to gender. Relative to the rest of the participants, the 13 (20.31%) with a co-occurring NDD diagnosis reported elevated autistic traits (p < .001). They did not differ in terms of psychological distress or distress pertaining to gender. A hierarchical linear regression revealed autistic traits alone did not contribute to the variability in distress pertaining to gender, whereas general psychological distress accounted for 9.9% of the variability in distress pertaining to gender (p = .012).

The current findings indicate that NDD diagnoses are common in children and adolescents with Gender Dysphoria who attend hospital-based services. Psychological distress, rather than autistic traits, contributes more variability in distress pertaining to gender. Taken together, these findings indicate the need to consider NDDs in treatment plans but also to focus on the important relationship between psychological distress and Gender Dysphoria.