The Autistic Trans Guide to Life

by Yenn Purkis, Dr Wenn Lawson, Emma Goodall (Foreword by)

Overview

'A must-read!' FINLAY GAMES

This essential survival guide gives autistic trans and/or non-binary adults all the tools and strategies they need to live as their very best self.

Blending personal accounts with evidence-based insights and up-to-date information, and written from a perspective of empowerment and self-acceptance, the book promotes pride, strength and authenticity, covering topics including self-advocacy, mental health and camouflaging and masking as well as key moments in life such as coming out or transitioning socially and/or physically.

Written by two leading autistic trans activists, this book honestly charts what life is like as an autistic trans person and is vital, life-affirming reading.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781787753914
Publisher:	Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Publication date:	03/18/2021
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	5.28(w) x 8.43(h) x 0.71(d)

About the Author

Yenn Purkis is autistic and non-binary and has published a range of books with JKP since 2006. They actively speak at autism conferences and have increasingly spoken and written on autism and LGBTQ+ identities and received the ACT Volunteer of the Year award for work in Autism advocacy. Yenn lives in Canberra, Australia.

Wenn Lawson is an autistic trans man, psychologist and researcher, who has published prolifically with JKP. He writes and speaks on the topic of gender identity, autism and neurodiversity. He currently co-Chairs the Australian Autism Research Council and is on the Editorial Board for the Autism in Adults journal. He lives in Victoria, Australia.

Table of Contents

Foreword Dr Emma Goodall 9

Acknowledgements 11

Introduction 13

Wenn 13

Yenn 20

Chapter 1 Autism and Gender Identity 25

Autism profiles 26

EDA/PDA characteristics 31

Trans and gender diverse 33

Gender diversity 34

Autism, gender and the non-autistic population 35

Chapter 2 Gender Diversity, Affirming Gender and Transitioning 39

Introduction 39

What is gender? 40

Gender transition/affirmation 40

Gender and autism 41

Different gender identities 43

Autism and gender diversity - intersectionality 46

Autism and gender diversity - what the research says 48

Common experiences for trans and gender-diverse autistic people 48

Common myths and misconceptions 50

Considerations about sexuality, sex and gender 51

Adults and children 52

Sensory issues 53

Body changes 54

Wenn's surgery experience 64

MTF breast growth stages during transitioning 68

Wenn's gender dysphoria after surgery 69

Considerations for younger people - autistic and trans identity 71

Considerations for older autistics 72

Changes in dress and expression 77

Legal changes 78

Bathrooms 80

Physical and social changes 82

Medical intervention 82

Fertility and reproduction 83

Chapter 3 Coming Out 85

Introduction 85

What if I am 'not trans enough'? 91

Coming out to self 93

Intimate relationships 95

Co-dependency 97

Chapter 4 Work and College 101

Introduction 101

Work 101

Finding work 102

Disclosure - gender and autism 104

Elements of work 105

Workplace transitioning guidelines 106

Disclosure - gender and autism at work or college 117

Study 117

Accessing health care 118

Renting properties 119

Travelling overseas 120

What supports can you access? 121

Advocacy opportunities 122

Chapter 5 Interoception, Camouflaging and Masking 124

Introduction 124

Being single-minded 125

Object permanence 125

Interoception 126

Neuroception and interoception: connections with gender identity in autism 126

Camouflage 131

Adaptive morphing 132

Being socially different 137

Language 138

Words, social attitudes and belief 139

Less small talk 140

Survival 140

Adaptive morphing in nature 143

Cis-female autistics? 144

Chapter 6 Older Autistic Trans Adults 148

Introduction 148

What issues do trans and gender-diverse autistic adults face? 149

Answers to some common questions about autism and gender diversity 152

Affirming gender - practical strategies 156

Being yourself 163

Strategies or ways of thinking and acting that might add to the clues for understanding who we are 163

Emergency situations 164

What to do if, what to do when, and how to do it 166

Chapter 7 Strategies and Tips to Promote Pride and Strength 168

Advocacy, rights and education 168

Autistic pride and trans pride 170

Gender diversity and the autistic community 171

Yenn's journey - early experiences of non-binary pride 173

Living with your transgender self 178

Strengths 179

Chapter 8 Mental Health 182

Autism and mental health 182

Some interesting points 183

Trans and gender-diverse mental health 183

What is post-traumatic stress disorder? 184

Strategies to promote good mental health 187

Self-awareness and acceptance 189

References 191

Index 199

Editorial Reviews

The Autistic Trans Guide to Life fluently discusses the unique challenges existing for people who are both transgender and on the autism spectrum. Despite a clear data-driven prevalence, this intersectionality does not seem to be widely acknowledged in mainstream information. This guide not only helps outline possible pathways to transition, it also identifies the unique challenges autistic people may face during transition. By offering insights through the eyes of autistic individuals, The Autistic Trans Guide to Life provides a rich template from which those who bend both the autism and gender spectrum can benefit.

Dade Barlow

I would rename this the thriving guide! This is such a powerful book, packed full of essential information for trans and non-binary adults navigating the gender transition process. The case studies and personal stories shared by Wenn and Yenn, both trans and autistic themselves, make this book relatable and profound. Wenn and Yenn skillfully dispel the many misconceptions surrounding the intersectionality of gender and autism, additionally making this a must-read for those supporting trans autistic adults.

Finlay Games – Author and Content Creator