Annelou L. C. de Vries1 Contact Information, Ilse L. J. Noens2, Peggy T. Cohen-Kettenis3, Ina A. van Berckelaer-Onnes4 and Theo A. Doreleijers1(1) Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, VU University Medical Center, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands(2) Child Welfare and Disabilities, Department of Educational Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium(3) Department of Medical Psychology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands(4) Department of Educational Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, The NetherlandsPublished online: 22 January 2010Abstract Only case reports have described the co-occurrence of gender identity disorder (GID) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This study examined this co-occurrence using a systematic approach. Children and adolescents (115 boys and 89 girls, mean age 10.8, SD = 3.58) referred to a gender identity clinic received a standardized assessment during which a GID diagnosis was made and ASD suspected cases were identified. The Dutch version of the Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders (10th rev., DISCO-10) was administered to ascertain ASD classifications. The incidence of ASD in this sample of children and adolescents was 7.8% (n = 16). Clinicians should be aware of co-occurring ASD and GID and the challenges it generates in clinical management.
Bernd Kraemer1 Contact Information, Aba Delsignore1, Ronnie Gundelfinger2, Ulrich Schnyder1 and Urs Hepp1(1) Psychiatric Department, University Hospital, Culmannstrasse 8, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland(2) Zentrum fuer Kinder und Jugendpsychiatrie, Neumuensterallee 3, 8032 Zurich, SwitzerlandAccepted: 24 February 2005 Abstract The case of a 35-yearold biological woman with Asperger syndrome (AS) and gender identity disorder (GID) fulfilling DSM-IV criteria is reported. Against the background of recently emerging theories of cognitive male pattern underlying autism we present additional psychological assessments in order to discuss any possible interaction or discrimination between AS and GID. Whilst we explain GID as a secondary feature of AS, we examine the assumption of the necessity of treating GID in AS as a primary GID in accordance with international standards. We consider the treatment of GID as compelling, particularly because curative therapy for AS is lacking and with GID treatment in this vein, the patient gains psychosocial improvement.
