The intersectionality between autism, LGBTQ+ and gender-diverse communities

trigger warning: suicide

A person’s identity is multifaceted. It’s shaped by so many factors, from race and ethnicity to appearance and self-expression. And while autistic people see their disability as a huge factor in their identity, sexual orientation and gender also play a large role for many individuals.

Autism, LGBTQ+ and gender-diverse communities have a larger overlap than one might think. In fact, studies have shown that autistic people have a higher likelihood of identifying as having a sexual orientation and identity other than heterosexual and cisgender when compared to neurotypical people. 

Each community has its own strengths and challenges. But an autistic person who is queer or nonbinary/gender diverse often faces additional barriers in accessing the tools and support that they need when it comes to mental health issues as well as affirming medical care.

Read on to learn about the connection between autism, LGBTQ+ and gender-diverse communities. You'll also learn about the current barriers that exist when trying to receive the care they require, as well as the power of finding the right community and affirming care each individual deserves.

The connection between autism, LGBTQ+ and gender-diverse communities

Not many people realize that LGBTQ+ and nonbinary/gender-diverse people are more likely to be autistic than heterosexual and cisgender people. And it’s not by any small margin either.

There are quite a few statistics and studies to show how intertwined autism truly is with the LGBTQ+ and gender-diverse communities, including:

• Transgender and gender-diverse adults are up to six times more likely to be diagnosed as autistic than cisgender adults. (This disparity is likely even higher due to the sheer number of individuals who are undiagnosed due to a variety of factors.)

• Up to 26% of autistic individuals have gender dysphoria.

• Over 69% of autistic individuals from an international online survey reported being non-heterosexual.

These numbers show us that the autistic, LGBTQ+ and nonbinary/gender-diverse populations overlap in more ways than one. This intersectionality should be taken into account when offering quality support to these communities.

And while this research is striking, there is still not enough discussion about this topic. It can make autistic people struggling to figure out their sexuality and gender identity feel like they’re alone.

Mental health in the autism, LGBTQ+ and gender-diverse communities

Everyone struggles with their mental health from time to time, and 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. live with a mental illness. But for people who are autistic, LGBTQ+ and/or gender diverse, or more than one, the mental health needs are consistent yet often brushed off.

An autistic person who belongs to LGBTQ+ and/or nonbinary/gender diverse communities can face so many challenges. And those issues can interfere with their mental health and their ability to explore or express their intersectionality in every facet.

Mental health issues can come from all sides. Autistic people are commonly diagnosed with mental illnesses including anxiety, depression and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. In fact, autistic individuals are four times more likely to have depression than neurotypical individuals in their lifetime.

With social and communication differences, plus the added complication of navigating through stigma faced by both neurodivergent and queer communities, it can be hard to form a safe network of support. That can result in a lack of companionship and support that we all need. And that loneliness and sense of isolation can take a real toll on their mental health.

People who belong to the LGBTQ+ and/or nonbinary/gender diverse communities can struggle with mental health issues that often stem from a lack of acceptance or understanding from others, and even, self-acceptance — this struggle can be compounded even more when someone is neurodivergent. This can often contribute to depression and anxiety as well. 

So take the mental health needs of an autistic person, and layer them on top of a person who identifies as LGBTQ+ or gender diverse. You’ll see how truly essential it is for them to get the personalized support that they need, but is often hard to find.

Suicide risk in the autism, LGBTQ+ and gender-diverse communities

Unfortunately, the risk of suicide for adults is a reality for too many individuals who have lived with untreated mental health issues. Many mental illnesses can lead to suicidality, especially depression. And since depression is common in both the autistic and LGBTQ+ communities, the risk is elevated.

Autistic people have a higher risk of suicidal thoughts than neurotypical people, and the suicide risk is up to seven times higher.
 

Suicidal thoughts are, unfortunately, common for queer people. The first thoughts of suicide can occur as young as 14 years old. More than 20% of LGBTQ+ participants in a study admitted to attempting suicide.

While there isn’t much research that could be found about the suicide rates for autistic adults who identify as LGBTQ+ and gender diverse, the autistic LGBTQ+ youth rate is alarming. They have more than a 50% higher suicide risk than those who are neurotypical. We must protect these vulnerable youth at all costs, and we urge providers to prioritize autism-affirming and LGBTQ+ affirming care for this demographic — both children and adults alike. 

NeuroSpark loves the queer, trans and gender-diverse communities. We are here to provide neuroinclusive and affirming care to all individuals who exist outside of neurotypical, heteronormative, cisnormative society. 

Owning your neurodivergence and expressing your gender identity and sexuality is such a beautiful thing, but you also need to feel supported and safe. We accept and support you for exactly who you are. Your identity matters to us and we are happy to meet you where you are. Your life is important. We’re here for you.

*If you or a loved one are experiencing suicidal ideation or in crisis, help is available 24 hours a day. Please call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988) or dial 911 for emergency assistance. 

With our one-on-one coaching and accommodations consulting, you can find confidence and contentment to be your authentic self in every capacity. We are also offering therapy in select states and are taking great care to consciously expand our network of neurodiversity-affirming therapy to include more states. 

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.