At the Intersection of Neurodiversity and Gender Diversity

Excerpt

The intersection of gender diversity and neurodiversity is a focus of considerable interest, discussion, and research. As reflected in the contents of this special issue, literature has explored this intersection both clinically and conceptually. The opinions, integrations, and new data presented in this volume support the presence of a complex relationship between gender diversity and neurodiversity, but suggest that the common framing of gender dysphoria and autism spectrum disorder being ‘comorbid’ is limited. As described in the letter by Diane Ehrensaft, individuals who are both gender and neurodiverse bring to life new conceptualizations of gender as fluid and intersectional. This articulates with the hypothesis that gender diversity is an expected outcome in individuals who are less contingent on social information for identity development. Correspondingly, Jack Turban argues as to the potential for gender diverse youth to have reversible challenges with social functioning related to their experience of minority stress, potentially limiting the value of screening and diagnostic instruments to make strict, categorical statements. …