RESEARCH
The autistic community already suffer due to the lack of research into autism as a condition, particularly autism in girls and women. There is even less research investigating the links between autism and gender identity. There are many papers that clarify that there is a link between the two conditions, but crucially, none of the research investigates why.
There has been an exponential growth in the number of children and adolescents experiencing gender dysphoria or adopting a trans identity. While many will desist quite quickly, particularly if they have 'come out' as transgender as part of a social group, there will be some who persist with this identity and who want to take steps to change their body using hormone based treatment. Far from the positive sounding 'gender affirming care' referenced in the media and by charities and lobby groups, this is serious medicine with permanent side-effects.
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It is vital that any interventions or treatment undertaken with children, whether social or medical, are purely based on robust peer reviewed research. The evidence base that has already been compiled on the safety and efficacy of treatment for children with GnRH Agonists (Puberty Blockers|) and cross-sex hormones, is minimal and indicates a low level of positive outcomes. It is for this reason that Denmark, Finland, Sweden, France, Norway and the United Kingdom are now counselling caution before prescribing puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones as treatment for gender dysphoria in children and adolescents.
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For more detailed information on individual treatments, please see our pages on Puberty Blockers and Cross Sex Hormones. In the meantime, we have collected as much relevant evidence and research as possible here.
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Autistic Spectrum Conditions - General research
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Hereditability of Autism Spectrum Disorders - a meta-analysis of twin studies
Heritability of autism spectrum disorders: a meta-analysis of twin studies - PubMed (nih.gov)
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Autism linked to greatly increased risk of suicidal behaviour
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Autism & Gender Identity
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Child & Adolescent Development & Care
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Full article: Outbreak: On Transgender Teens and Psychic Epidemics (tandfonline.com)
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Current concerns about gender-affirming therapy in adolescents.
Brain development in adolescence
Brain Development During Adolescence - PMC (nih.gov)
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Suicide by Clinic-Referred Transgender Adolescents in the United Kingdom - PubMed (nih.gov)
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Gender Identity Disorder - Medical Pathway
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The Dutch Protocol for Juvenile Transsexuals: Origins and Evidence - PubMed (nih.gov)
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Gender Identity Disorder - General Research
This piece of research looks at the variety of co-morbidities in CYP referred to gender clinics, and the difficulty separating dysphoria from the effects of adverse childhood experiences.
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An overview of the numbers of referrals to the Tavistock Gender Identity Development Service
Society for Evidence Based Gender Medicine - Studies
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Taking the lid off the box - the value of extended clinical assessment for adolescents presenting with gender identity difficulties
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Parent reports of adolescents and young adults perceived to show signs of a rapid onset of gender dysphoria
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Reconsidering informed consent for trans -identified children, adolescents and adults
Sweden ends use of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for children & adolescents outside clinical trials
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Links between self-injury and suicidality in autism | Molecular Autism (springer.com)
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Sexology Today!: Do trans- kids stay trans- when they grow up?
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​Puberty Blockers and Cross Sex Hormones
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Desistance and Detransitioners
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