title: Evaluation of Asperger Syndrome in Youth Presenting to a Gender Dysphoria Clinic.
abstract: There is evolving evidence that children and adolescents with gender dysphoria have higher-than-expected rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet clinical data on ASD among youth with gender dysphoria remain limited, particularly in North America. This report aims to fill this gap.
  
  
  
  We conducted a retrospective review of patient chart data from 39 consecutive youth ages 8 to 20 years (mean age 15.8 years, natal male: n = 22, natal female: n = 17) presenting for evaluation at a multidisciplinary gender clinic in a large U.S. pediatric hospital from 2007 to 2011 to evaluate the prevalence of ASD in this patient population.
  
  
  
  Overall, 23.1% of patients (9/39) presenting with gender dysphoria had possible, likely, or very likely Asperger syndrome as measured by the Asperger Syndrome Diagnostic Scale (ASDS).
  
  
  
  These findings are consistent with growing evidence supporting increased prevalence of ASD in gender dysphoric children. To guide provision of optimal clinical care and therapeutic intervention, routine assessment of ASD is recommended in youth presenting for gender dysphoria.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Medicine, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Boston Children's Hospital , Boston, Massachusetts.|2 Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, Michigan.
authors.forename: Daniel E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Shumer
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital , Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Sari L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Reisner
authors.affiliation: 4 Pacific University School of Professional Psychology , Hillsboro, Oregon.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Edwards-Leeper
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Medicine, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Boston Children's Hospital , Boston, Massachusetts.|5 Department of Psychology, Boston Children's Hospital , Boston, Massachusetts.|6 Department of Psychiatry, Boston Children's Hospital , Boston, Massachusetts.|7 Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital , Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tishelman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D000068116:Gender Dysphoria / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000072339:Sexual and Gender Minorities; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Asperger syndrome; and transgender (LGBT) youth; autism spectrum disorder; bisexual; gay; gender dysphoria; lesbian; transgender