Autism and the ghost of gender

Davidson, Joyce; Tamas, Sophie

doi:10.1016/j.emospa.2015.09.009

Cited by 29 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 29 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Much has been written about the tendency, deliberate or accidental, of autistic people to breach social conventions. Davidson and Tamas 16 highlight that ''doing'' gender as socially expected can be incredibly draining for autistic individuals. Discovering their autistic identity might help autistic individuals process their gender identity as well.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Autistic gender is being discussed at length within autistic communities, which often describe atypical presentations of gender, 16 whereas when discussed in academia, autistic gender expression is often pathologized and framed in traditional binary terms (masculine/feminine). 17 The challenges autistic individuals face consist of a combination of a complex interplay between different aspects of their personal lives and identities.…”

Section: Gender Expression and Autistic Individualsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

“I Don't Feel Like a Gender, I Feel Like Myself”: Autistic Individuals Raised as Girls Exploring Gender Identity

KourtiMarianthi

MacLeod

2019

Autism in Adulthood

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: This article addresses a gap in current research by considering perceptions of gender within autistic adults raised as girls. Methods: We report on an online focus group, in which 21 individuals who had been raised as girls discussed their gender identities. This discussion was part of a larger study, involving 43 participants from eight countries. We used an emancipatory approach wherein participants set their own agenda, thereby highlighting directly that gender identity was significant for them. The discussion was open for 2 weeks, after which the transcript was analyzed using Applied Thematic Analysis. Results: Participants reported not identifying with typical presentations of the female gender for a variety of reasons, linked both to autism and to sociocultural expectations. Participants described childhoods of being a tomboy or wanting to be a boy, having difficulties conforming to gender-based social expectations and powerful identifications with their personal interests. Conclusions: Consideration is given to the ways in which autistic individuals conform to, or resist, gendered roles, as well as the implications for identity formation within autistic individuals raised as girls. The innovative emancipatory design proved effective in giving voice to a group who have had little presence within the academic and medical communities and, through its use of online platforms, in engaging a large and internationally based participant sample. This article highlights both the importance of approaching autism from an intersectional perspective that takes greater account of context, and the unique contributions that autistic individuals can make to current understandings within autism research.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Gender Expression and Autistic Individualsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“I Don't Feel Like a Gender, I Feel Like Myself”: Autistic Individuals Raised as Girls Exploring Gender Identity

KourtiMarianthi

MacLeod

2019

Autism in Adulthood

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…39 For example, a high frequency of people with autism identified as LGBTQ on the forum (measured through different polls on the forum or through different contributors posting in different discussion threads) is invoked to challenge the assumptions of limited or restricted sexual interest among autistic people on Wikipedia. 40 An alternative way of thinking, and qualitatively different forms of expression to most 'normal' people, it is argued by a contributor, may result in autistic people choosing other ways to have sex than according to the norm 41 Questioning the idea of difference between autistic and non-autistic people's sexuality, thus stressing the human sexuality-perspective, a contributor (again ironically) notes that:…”

Section: Non-normative Sexualitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Not Doing it Properly? (Re)producing and Resisting Knowledge Through Narratives of Autistic Sexualities

Rosqvist

Jackson-Perry

2020

Sex Disabil

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Autism is conceptualized in much scientific literature as being associated with restricted and repetitive interests, characterized by an 'empathy deficit', and negatively impacting social communication. Meanwhile, 'good and healthy' sexuality is largely considered to be a social endeavor: asexuality and sexualities defined by acts rather than by partner gender-for example kink or BDSM-are broadly pathologized. Perhaps, therefore, first-hand autistic experiences of sexuality challenge existing assumptions about 'good and healthy' sexualities within couplehood. As a theoretical starting point to explore this potential, we revisit Gayle Rubin's notion of 'sex within the charmed circle' to ask whether autistic sexuality can ever truly 'fit' within this (neurotypically defined) virtuous sexual arena. We further consider the ways in which the intersection of autism and sexuality is understood and experienced in first-hand autistic accounts of sexuality within a specific context, through analysis of a Swedish online discussion forum in which autistic people discuss sexuality. In doing so we seek both to better understand autistic sexual experience, and to track and deconstruct potentially restrictive assumptions of (non-autistic) couple sexuality more generally. We also consider ways in which assumptions of deficit concerning both nonnormative sexualities and autism may have a deleterious effect on autistic people and on research more broadly, limiting theoretical and conceptual understandings of autism and autistic ways of (sexual) being by a default comparison to sexual and neurological norms.

show abstract

“…The internalisation of these gender norms begins in early childhood through 'gendered parenting ' and socialisation (Bussey & Bandura, 1999) and may be passively or actively taught. Retribution for gender transgressions may become powerful lessons through which children learn gender-appropriate behaviour (Davidson & Tamas, 2016).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

‘You don’t look autistic’: A qualitative exploration of women’s experiences of being the ‘autistic other’

Seers

Hogg

2021

Autism

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

There is currently a paucity of literature exploring the experiences of women on the autism spectrum. It is imperative research is conducted to capture the experiences of women on the autism spectrum and ensure appropriate support is provided to this cohort. Drawing upon a social constructionist framework, this qualitative research study sought to understand how psychological and socio-cultural constructions of autism spectrum condition and gender influence the well-being of women on the autism spectrum. Eight participants engaged in a semi-structured interview, with thematic analysis conducted to demonstrate the impact of gender roles and social expectations on the women’s identity and autism spectrum condition expression. The research highlighted the changing understandings of autism spectrum condition across a woman’s lifespan and the process and impact of resisting hegemonic autism spectrum condition categorisation. The findings demonstrate that social constructions of gender and stereotypical understandings of autism spectrum condition, which prioritise a deficit, medical model, have significant consequences for women’s well-being and subjectivity. The women experienced challenging formative years, but with diagnosis and the evolution and acceptance of their identities, they were able to resist negative narratives of autism spectrum condition, embrace their strengths and develop adaptive coping strategies. It is hoped this article generates insights for societal and clinical recognition to better support women on the autism spectrum. Lay abstract Most autism spectrum condition research addresses the neurological and biological causes of autism spectrum condition, focusing upon deficits associated with autism spectrum condition and behavioural interventions designed to minimise these deficits. Little is known about the lived experiences of adult women on the autism spectrum and how they navigate social expectations around gender, autism spectrum condition and gendered understandings of autism spectrum condition. The lived experiences of eight women on the AS will be shared here, with attention to how gendered expectations influence women’s experiences of autism spectrum condition, their sense of self and well-being. Findings showed these women struggled to reconcile the expectations of others, particularly early in life. The women had difficultly conforming to stereotypical ideals of femininity, yet as they aged, they felt less need to conform, valuing their unique style and behaviours. The women also rejected deficit-oriented descriptions of autism spectrum condition generated by the medical community, preferring to focus on their strengths and unique characteristics. It is hoped this article helps psychologists and the wider community to understand and meet the needs of women on the AS.

show abstract

Autism and the ghost of gender

Cited by 29 publications

References 29 publications

“I Don't Feel Like a Gender, I Feel Like Myself”: Autistic Individuals Raised as Girls Exploring Gender Identity

“I Don't Feel Like a Gender, I Feel Like Myself”: Autistic Individuals Raised as Girls Exploring Gender Identity

Not Doing it Properly? (Re)producing and Resisting Knowledge Through Narratives of Autistic Sexualities

‘You don’t look autistic’: A qualitative exploration of women’s experiences of being the ‘autistic other’

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About