Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Strang, John F
• Fischbach, Abigail L
• Rao, Sharanya
• Clawson, Ann
• Knauss, Megan
• Bernstein, Sarah N
• van der Miesen, Anna I R
• Inge, Anne P
• Alonzo, Kenia
• Zeroth, Julia
• Kenworthy, Lauren
• Morgan, Colleen I
• Brandt, Abigail
• Moore, Christina C
• Ahlers, Kaitlyn
• Jankowski, Mary K
• McClellan, Lucy S
• Henise, Shane B
• Cap, Caitlyn J
• Exley, Shannon L
• Youmatz, Amy
• Song, Minneh
• McLaren, Jennifer L
• Parchem, Benjamin

Titel

Gender and Autism Program: A novel clinical service model for gender-diverse/transgender autistic youth and young adults

Ist Teil von

• Clinical neuropsychologist, 2024-04, p.1-37

Ort / Verlag

England

Erscheinungsjahr

2024

Link zum Volltext

Quelle

Alma/SFX Local Collection

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Situated in Children's National Hospital (CNH)'s Neuropsychology Division, the Gender and Autism Program (GAP) is the first clinical service dedicated to the needs of autistic gender-diverse/transgender youth. This study describes GAP clinical assessment profiles and presents a multi-perspective programmatic review of GAP evaluation services. Seventy-five consecutive gender- and neuropsychologically-informed GAP evaluations were analyzed, including demographics, gender and autism characterization, and primary domains evaluated. Three program-based Delphi studies were conducted and identify: clinician priorities and challenges in providing care, program administrator lessons learned and ongoing barriers, and considerations adapting this model for a rural academic medical center. Nearly two-thirds of referrals were transfeminine. Most youth had existing autism diagnoses; of those undiagnosed, three-quarters were found to be autistic. Five goals of evaluations were identified: Mental health was always assessed, and most evaluations also assessed gender-related needs in the context of autism neurodiversity. Neuropsychological characterization of strengths and challenges informed personalized accommodations to support youth gender-related self-advocacy. Clinicians emphasized frequent youth safety concerns. Administrators emphasized the need for specialized training for working with families. Components for adaptation of the GAP in a rural academic medical center were identified. Since its founding, the GAP has proven a sustainable neuropsychology-based service with consistent referral flow and insurance authorizations. Capturing staff perspectives through rigorous Delphi methods, and addressing the GAP's feasibility and replicability, this study provides a road map for replicating this service. We also highlight GAP training of specialist clinicians, fundamental to addressing the desperate shortage of providers in this field.