Happy Pride!

It turns out that autistic individuals have a higher rate of gender variance than those not on the spectrum. This doesn’t require treatment in the traditional sense, but a better awareness, psychosocial supports, and understanding among clinicians that can provide services and help for those that need it. Today’s podcast focuses on recent studies linking being LGBTQIA+ and autistic, sharing information on mental health issues in this group as well as guidelines to help those with ASD receive the services they are entitled to. As illustrated in one study included in the podcast, shamefully, his does not always happen.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32770077/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34121545/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33526233/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32056117/

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/13623613211024098

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27775428/

Super siblings!

This podcast is dedicated to siblings of people with autism who are typically developing.  They play an important and beneficial role in development of socialization of those with ASD.  But sadly, they also have issues of their own, such as a high rate of issues like anxiety and depression.  Those siblings may be genetic carries of a specific mutation and not have an autism diagnosis, but have increased risk for schizophrenia and cognitive disability.  Finally, just because they are considered “typically developing” doesn’t mean they don’t have challenges with adaptive behavior.  However, they have a very special relationship with their brothers and sisters, and the world needs these strong advocates for the community.

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30280363

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30248583

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jcpp.12985

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41436-018-0266-3.pdf