[Gender Diversity and the Autism Spectrum: A Scoping Review of Experiences, Trajectories, and Emerging Needs Following the Cass Report].

Authors

Javiera Ormeño-Orellana, Margarita Bernales, Mauricio López-Espejo

Published in

Revista medica de Chile. Volume 154. Issue 4. Pages 539-553. Epub Jun 17, 2026.

Abstract

The intersection between Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and gender diversity (GD), particularly among transgender and non-binary individuals, has gained increasing attention in recent literature. This population experiences dual vulnerability related to structural stigma, pathologization, and barriers to accessing healthcare. The 2024 Cass Review (UK) has significantly influenced clinical debate, challenging affirmative care models and generating ethical and political tensions.
To explore scientific evidence published between January 2024 and April 2025 regarding the experiences, trajectories, barriers, and needs of transgender and non-binary individuals with a clinical or self-identified ASD diagnosis.
A scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Searches were performed in Scopus, Web of Science, and SciELO between April 1 and April 21, 2025. Empirical studies-qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods-published in English or Spanish were included. A total of 34 articles met eligibility criteria.
Seven thematic axes were identified: mental health, ASD-GD co-occurrence, access barriers, affirmative care, structural discrimination, limited family support, and community participation. Studies reported substantial mental health burden, lack of sensory accommodations, institutional exclusion, and family rejection. Approximately 40% proposed trans-affirmative or neurodivergence-affirmative models. Most studies originated from the Global North.
The findings underscore the urgent need for culturally competent, intersectional, and rights-based models of care. In the post-Cass context, adopting an affirmative approach represents not only an ethical stance but a public health imperative to uphold the right to health for autistic transgender individuals.

PMID:
42441678
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 14 Jul 2026.

Read full publication at:
Please sign in to see all details.

Stats

1-terrible, 9-excellent. How would you rate this publication? Sign in in to submit your rating.

Post a comment

You need to be signed in to post comments. You can sign in here.

Comments

There are no comments yet.