Transgender children are being diagnosed with autism at higher rates than neurotypical children. This is particularly true of transgender girls — who, because of social stigma and parental rejection, are three times more likely to be autistic than their neurotypical peers. As we begin to understand the causal relationship between autism and gender dysphoria in children, it’s critical that parents know how to help their transgender children on the spectrum.
It’s completely normal to feel a range of emotions when you learn that your child is transgender
After you have a child, you realize that you never really know what to expect on a day-to-day basis. There are lots of things that can happen with children, and if you are a parent, you know that they are constantly surprising you. Children are constantly changing and growing, and that is one of the best things about them. It can be a little harder when you have a transgender child on the spectrum because you might not know what to expect.
Some parents feel relieved when they find out their child is transgender because it explains a lot and gives them a sense of relief about what is going on. But some parents may feel sad, angry, confused, or even guilty. They may worry about how their child will be accepted as transgender by others and how their child will feel in the future. Parents may feel sad because they feel like they have lost their son or daughter, but it’s important to remember that it’s still your child and that you will love them no matter what.
It’s completely normal to feel a range of emotions, and it’s important to be open with your family and so that you can support them through every stage of the transition and help them deal with it.
How to reach out to support for transgender children and families?
Many transgender children are either completely unaware of their gender identity or have a very limited ability to express themselves. In most cases, parents and other family members are the ones who notice that their child is different from their friends and other kids their age. But there are also instances when transgender children are able to articulate their feelings and are able to express themselves well. In these cases, parents may be a little alarmed and quite confused.
As a parent of a transgender child, you can be assured that you are not alone. There is a lot of support out there for you and your child. There are many transgender organizations all over the world offering important services like LGBTQ Therapy and more. There are lots of books and magazines (both in print and online) that can answer all your questions. The internet also has many transgender bloggers who are willing to share their experiences and resources. The best thing a parent of a transgender child can do is to educate themselves on transgender issues and seek support from other parents of transgender kids.
Educate yourself about gender transition and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs)
According to the National Autism Association, about 1 in 59 children are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. ASDs affect individuals in varying ways, but many individuals who are on the spectrum also experience gender dysphoria. Gender dysphoria is a condition in which a person experiences distress because the gender assigned at birth does not match their identity.
To understand how to support your transgender child, knowing how transitioning works is important. Gender transition for someone on the spectrum includes three steps: coming out to family, friends, and co-workers by announcing one’s preferred name and pronouns, seeking support from educators and healthcare providers, and ultimately, beginning to socially and medically transition.
These steps are not always the same for everyone. For instance, a transgender person may choose to keep their medical transition private or may not have the financial resources to begin. A person may also choose to change their name and pronouns in certain settings before and after medical transition, or some transgender people do not have the desire or ability to medically transition.
Understand how gender identity works in children on the spectrum
Gender identity is a complex concept, and it’s different for everyone. Gender identity is an internal sense of having a gender, and gender expression is the way that someone outwardly expresses their gender identity. Gender identity is not visible to others, and it is not the same as sexual orientation. In general, transgender people feel that their gender identity is different from their physical sex. For example, a person born with male sex organs may feel like a woman inside. Or a person born with female sex organs may feel like a man inside. Some transgender people have a gender expression that is consistent with the gender they were assigned at birth.
Despite popular belief, transgender children are not more likely to be on the spectrum. But because of the way that autistic children express themselves and their gender identity, parents can often mistake one for the other. It is almost impossible for us to tell if a child is transgender or is on the spectrum unless they tell us. Instead of guessing, it is important to take cues from your child. Try to let them lead the conversation and take cues from their behaviors. If your child seems uncomfortable in their own skin, talk to them. Try to understand what they are saying and have an open mind. Remember that even if your child is on the spectrum, they will still be your child.
How to get the right care for your autistic child
If you are the parent of an autistic child who is also transgender, then you know that even as a parent, you are at a loss to know how to deal with this issue. There is nothing worse than seeing your child in pain and knowing that you can’t do anything to stop it. The most difficult thing about this is that it is difficult to explain to people who are not familiar with the condition of autism.
Autism is a complex neurological disorder that affects many aspects of a child’s life, including their ability to communicate and interact with others. As parents, we want to do everything we can to help our children, but sometimes we need guidance to get them the support and care they need. When looking for the right autism intervention to give your child a good start in life, it is important to discuss getting the right support and tips on how you can help your autistic child with the help of professionals through the process.
Click here for more interesting articles
