Perspectives of Mothers of Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

This study represents findings from interviews at two time points with three mothers of transgender and gender-nonconforming (TGNC) children (ages 8 to 12 years at T1) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Of interest was the mothers' experiences of raising a TGNC child with ASD, and whether/how the children's autism played a role in their understandings of their children's gender identities and expressions. The mothers' fear of a transphobic/cisnormative society and wondering about whether their children's ASD influenced or caused their children's gender variance were barriers to fully embracing their children's gender nonconformity. Unclear causes of children's social/emotional difficulties and lack of adequate resources and support were identified challenges. Positive interventions and resources were also discussed. Recommendations for clinicians and other professionals who serve TGNC youth with autism and their families are presented.

Relações sócio-familiares e a construção da personalidade da pessoa transexual

“…Na contramão, a metade 7 (Hidalgo & Chen, 2019). Todavia quando dado invisibilidade à transexualidade pela família, dificulta a compreensão da criança ou adolescente transexual sobre suas identidades e influência no emocional e no comportamento dsx mesmxs (Kuvalanka et al, 2017).…”

Theories on the Link Between Autism Spectrum Conditions and Trans Gender Modality: a Systematic Review

“…According to the authors, their findings reflect stable ASC traits rather than state responses to the social challenges due to TGM. Several qualitative studies discussed how minority stress may be experienced as a "double whammy," as trans autistic people are marginalized on two fronts (Coleman-Smith et al, 2020;Hillier et al, 2019;Kuvalanka et al, 2018).…”

Grieving the transgender (assumed-cisgender) child: gendered mourning, the harms of cisnormativity, and the possibilities of creating livable trans futures

“…Parents of children with disabilities report having to come to terms with an altered outlook for the child's future (O'Brien 2007) and having to contend with the societal mindset that their child "disrupts a sense of order" (Blum 2015:4) in the community. Furthermore, mothers of transgender children with autism express that their child's autism coupled with gender non-conformity causes the child to "stick out" even more (Kuvalanka, Mahan, et al 2018). Anything which positions a child outside of the normative mold of childhood makes the child more at risk for societal stigma and contributes to parental feelings of loss.…”

“…Their transgender daughter, Grace, has autism and was severely struggling when Eleanor first started attending PTK meetings in 2018. Instead of treating gender non-conformity as a symptom of autism, which is an ableist attempt to discount the realness of that child's experiences and expressions (Kuvalanka, Mahan, et al 2018;Shapira and Granek 2019), Eleanor took her child's gender non-conformity seriously. With support from her parents, Grace's communication, engagement with peers, and confidence in herself all improved.…”

“…Grace also receives services and care related to having autism and numerous personality disorder diagnoses; if her parents did not have a high income, transition-related care might be off the table due to her other care needs. For transgender people with disabilities, transition-related care is often thought of as an afterthought or a complication in receiving care for the specific disability (Kuvalanka, Mahan, et al 2018;Shapira and Granek 2019). Parents have shared numerous stories of their children's doctors saying they cannot treat gender dysphoria until these other diagnoses are "under control."…”