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The studies say in a high percentage he would, as a transgender man I say he would!
by trans Scott Newgent
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A young Elon Musk, just barely 14 sits at his computer, deep in thought and struggling with questions of identity. As he navigates adolescence in a constantly connected world, he grapples with the complexities of gender and sexuality. With his exceptional intellect and traits commonly associated with ASD, he may feel torn and uncertain about how to define himself. His internal conflict manifests itself through a contemplative gaze and a creased forehead as he strives for self-understanding. In solitude, Elon paces restlessly, seeking clarity and comprehension on the internet. As he scrutinizes his reflection in the mirror, he ponders whether it genuinely mirrors his inner self. Yet even amid this battle, his intellectual prowess remains evident in his analytical observations of everything surrounding him.
As a transgender man myself, I can't help but speculate whether this would have been Elon's journey today within the boundaries of gender ideology - he checks all the boxes. What would his experience with gender identity have been like if he were navigating adolescence today and exploring the notion of being transgender? At 14 years old, it's likely that he too would have wrestled with understanding himself much like many teenagers do in present times. However, now as an influential figure in society, there is an expectation for him to use his prominence for positive impact.
This topic demands more scrutiny and deliberation from every angle. Having walked this path myself, I understand the significance of accepting differences rather than forcing conformity or suppressing them with medication. It's crucial to initiate candid dialogues about this before these young individuals' futures are irrevocably affected.
Transgender and nonbinary people are up to six times more likely to also have autism. This intersection has researchers trying to understand the connection and how society views these identities.
Autism holds the biggest percentage of children who believe they are transgender, some studies tipping the 50% scale and we have to ask why. It's crucial not to conflate correlation with causation, and it is important to approach the topic with sensitivity and depth. Autistic individuals often experience the world with a unique intensity and may grapple with societal norms that feel arbitrary or challenging. This same sensitivity may make gender non-conforming feelings more potent and, perhaps, the structured categories of gender more confining. Furthermore, autistic individuals might have a heightened preference for self-definition that defies standard classifications, thereby seeking an identity that feels inherently authentic amidst an often inordinately binary framing of gender in society (Strang et al., 2018).
Some Studies Reaching Nearly 40%
Could not fitting in be the entirety of the gender ideology boom within the youth today? It is also crucial to note that the concept of not fitting in extends beyond autistic or gender-diverse populations. Youth, by nature, is a critical period for exploring and pushing boundaries. When compounded by the rousing cognitive diversity that autism brings, the binary concept of gender might tightly confine an already strained fitting-in process. The idea that an 'ideology boom' is exclusively due to not fitting in requires further examination, as it may oversimplify the confluence of multiple factors at play, including increased awareness, improved access to information, and shifting societal norms (American Psychological Association, 2020).
Given the complexity inherent in the intersections of ASD and gender identity, researchers and clinicians have advocated a careful, personalized approach to working with young people navigating these aspects of their experience. Johanna Olson-Kennedy, one of the leading experts in care for transgender youth, emphasizes the importance of individualized treatment and consideration of each person's unique set of circumstances, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach (Olson-Kennedy, 2016).
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The observed link between autism and a higher probability of identifying as transgender, in my perspective, provides almost enough evidence to credit the entire phenomenon known as the "gender ideology boom" to two principal factors: same-sex attraction being prevalent among these individuals at a staggering 47%, and the singular aspect of feeling like an outsider often reported by children on the spectrum. The life experiences of people, regardless of whether they are neurodiverse or neurotypical, are intricate and layered. As discussions persist and fresh insights surface, it is paramount that conversations about autism, gender diversity, and their interconnectedness stay rooted in an empathy-led comprehension of the rich mosaic that forms human identity. This understanding not only propels forward dialogue but also offers thoughtful support to all young people as they traverse through the complex journey of maturation and self-discovery.
Allow me to say again: We are butchering a generation of children with a medical process that is experimental, dangerous, doesn’t cure anything, and causes massive health issues.
Because if I am right, which I believe I am, we are medically transitioning an entire generation of youth because
...... wait for it
........... kids are autistic and or same-sex attracted, again, curing nothing!
Head out of the rectum, people!
-Transman Regretter Scott Newgent
References
National Institute of Mental Health. (2021). Autism Spectrum Disorder. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asdBrown, G. R. (2017). Autistic traits in an Internet sample of gender variant UK adults. International Journal of Transgenderism, 18(4), 394-404. Retrieved from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15532739.2017.1394988
Strang, J.F., et al. (2018). Initial Clinical Guidelines for Co-Occurring Autism Spectrum Disorder and Gender Dysphoria or Incongruence in Adolescents. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 47(1), 105-115. Retrieved from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15374416.2016.1228462
American Psychological Association. (2020). Psychological Science Accelerator Identifies Four Key Risk Factors for Mental Health. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2020/11/mental-health
Coll-Planas, G. and Missé, M. (2020). Challenging the Gender Binary? There's No Escape. Sociological Research Online, 25(1), 68-83. Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1360780419888067
Olson-Kennedy, J. (2016). Mental Health Disparities Among Transgender Youth: Rethinking the Role of Professionals. JAMA Pediatrics, 170(5), 423-424. Retrieved from https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2500064
Strang, J.F., Kenworthy, L., Dominska, A., Sokoloff, J., Kenealy, L.E., Berl, M., Walsh, K., Menvielle, E., Slesaransky-Poe, G., Kim, K.E., Luong-Tran, C., Meagher, H., Wallace, G.L. (2018). Increased gender variance in autism spectrum disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 47(8), 2435-2445. doi: 10.1007/s10508-018-1218-3. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29335643/George R. Brown & E. Kale Edmiston. (2019). Transgender Health: A Practitioner’s Guide to Binary and Non-Binary Trans Patient Care, Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Retrieved from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/26895269.2019.1685619Bejerot, S., & Eriksson, J.M. (2014). Sexuality and gender role in autism spectrum disorder: A case control study. PLoS ONE, 9(1), e87961. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0087961. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4120469/Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS). (n.d.). Overview of gender dysphoria. Retrieved from https://gids.nhs.uk/overview-gender-dysphoriaWorld Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). (n.d.). Standards of care. Retrieved from https://www.wpath.org/publications/soc
Kapp, S. K., Gillespie-Lynch, K., Sherman, L. E., & Hutman, T. (2013). Deficit, difference, or both? Autism and neurodiversity. Developmental Psychology, 49(1), 59. https://doi.apa.org/doi/10.1037/a0028353American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). [No URL available for the DSM-5 as it is a textbook reference]Strang, J. F., Kenworthy, L., Dominska, A., Sokoloff, J., Kenealy, L. E., Berl, M., Walsh, K., Menvielle, E., Slesaransky-Poe, G., Kim, K. E., Luong-Tran, C., Meagher, H., & Wallace, G. L. (2014). Increased gender variance in autism spectrum disorders and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 43(8), 1525-1533. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10508-014-0285-3Dewinter, J., De Graaf, H., & Begeer, S. (2017). Sexual orientation, gender identity, and romantic relationships in adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 47(9), 2927-2934. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10803-017-3189-zCarrington, S. J., Uljarević, M., Roberts, A., White, L. C., Morgan, L., Wimpory, D., Ramsden, C., & Leekam, S. R. (2021). Knowledge about autism and empathy toward autistic people: A cross-national study. Autism, 25(3), 787-800. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1362361320977278
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