Integration of desire, sexual orientation, and female embodiment of a transgender woman previously diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder: A case report

Forming strong cultural identities in an intersecting space of indigeneity and autism in Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand

“…Seven articles explore identity and experiences of autistic Indigenous Peoples (Bailey & Arciuli, 2020;Kapp, 2011;Lindblom, 2014Lindblom, , 2017aLindblom, , 2017bSullivan, 2013;Travers et al, 2013). Ten articles explore autistic identity (Cooper et al, 2017;Cridland et al, 2014;DeNigris et al, 2018;Hughes, 2012;Kapp et al, 2013;MacLeod et al, 2013;Mogensen & Mason, 2015;Tan, 2018;Violeta & Langer, 2017;Winstone et al, 2014), five articles, Indigenous identity (Kahn et al, 2016;Kelley & Lowe, 2018;Kickett-Tucker et al, 2015;Tracey, 2012;Victor et al, 2016), and two articles, the inclusion and treatment of Indigenous students with a variety of disabilities (Bevan-Brown, 2013;Graham, 2012).…”

“…It is not yet well understood as to the protective factors associated to autistic community cultural belonging. However, literature available on the topic of identity and autism suggests a positive correlation between self-identifying as a member of the autistic community and an increase in positive protective factors for improved individual health and wellbeing (Cooper et al, 2017;Lindblom, 2017b;Violeta & Langer, 2017).…”

“…It is shaped by how one views their personhood in relationship to the ethnic or social cultural group they belong and the cultural norms and meaning that one identifies and ascribes to as belonging in the cultural group. While literature reviewed is not representative of all Indigenous Peoples or autistic people, studies show a clear pattern that both cultural groups face societal challenges and survive ongoing oppression that exacts a toll on self-identity, self-esteem, and overall health (Cooper et al, 2017;Kahn et al, 2016;Violeta & Langer, 2017). Concurrently, literature reveals that positive ethnic and social identity is a protective mechanism for improved health as it is directly correlated to the development of resilience, positive selfimage, and healthy coping strategies for Indigenous Peoples and autistic people experiencing injustices (Cooper et al, 2017;Kahn et al, 2016;Violeta & Langer, 2017).…”

“…Global stigma and pathologizing of autism, bullying and victimization, and individualized lack of acceptance of being autistic all contribute to reduced mental and emotional wellbeing in autistic people (Cooper et al, 2017;DeNigris et al, 2018). A positive autistic cultural self-identity can help to ameliorate and reduce the negative impacts of socialpsychological stressors (Mogensen & Mason, 2015;Tan, 2018;Violeta & Langer, 2017). Cooper et al (2017, p. 844) "assert that the social and health benefits of social identity processes are highly pertinent" to the autistic population and "have significant implications for clinical practice.…”

Rainbow experiences of accessing mental health support in Aotearoa New Zealand: A community-based mixed methods study

“…Within previous research on trans experiences of mental health assessments for gender-affirming healthcare, trans people commonly describe a need to conform to a dominant 'trans narrative' for fear that their actual trans experience may not be viewed as legitimate enough to access much-needed healthcare (Ellis et al, 2015;McNeil, Bailey, Ellis, Morton, & Regan, 2012;Violeta & Langer, 2017). This dominant narrative includes identifying as part of the gender binary, feeling 'trapped in the wrong body' from a young age, experiencing significant distress, and wanting a 'full' medical transitionthat is, hormone treatment, as well as genital surgery (Davy, 2015;Lewis, Vincent, Brett, Gibson, & Walsh, 2017).…”