Unresolved Questions in Autism and Gender Diversity Research: A Targeted Review of AFAB Experiences

Level of Education of Students Involved

Undergraduate

Faculty Sponsor

Holly Cross

College

College of Arts & Sciences (CAS)

Discipline(s)

Psychology

ORCID Identifier(s)

https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3383-6559

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Symposium Date

Spring 4-30-2026

Abstract

There has been limited research over the past decades surrounding how gender identity intersects with autism spectrum disorders. Current literature on this topic reviews trends in comorbidity between gender dysphoria and ASD, the role of masking and camouflaging, and autistic interpretations of gender roles and social expectations. Across qualitative and quantitative studies, a consistent trend emerges indicating that autistic individuals assigned female at birth (AFAB) report higher rates of gender dysphoria, nonbinary identities, and broader gender-diverse expression. Qualitative findings further suggest that autistic AFAB individuals often describe gender identity development as intertwined with reduced conformity to social norms, heightened self-awareness, and the complexities of masking that shape their navigation of gender.

However, existing reviews present several limitations. Prior meta-analyses report conflicting findings regarding gender differences in the prevalence of gender dysphoria among autistic populations, and many rely on clinical samples that may not reflect broader community experiences. Additionally, most published reviews synthesize literature only through 2020–2023, leaving more recent empirical work unexamined despite rapid growth in research on both autism and gender diversity. These gaps limit clarity on whether observed trends represent stable patterns or artifacts of sampling, diagnostic bias, or shifting cultural contexts.

This project addresses these limitations by updating and refining existing literature reviews, synthesizing studies published since 2024, and evaluating whether newer evidence clarifies or complicates earlier conclusions. More specifically, it examines how recent research contributes to understanding gender identity development among autistic AFAB individuals and identifies where inconsistencies persist, with the goal of informing future intersectional and longitudinal research as well as gender-affirming clinical practice.

Biographical Information about Author(s)

Ellen Linder is a senior psychology major at Valparaiso University whose academic research has centered around the development of personal identities, such as religion and gender, and how those identities affect everyday experiences. Her goal has been to fill in the gaps in modern research surround personal identities.

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