Inlay

Objectives The diagnostic rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and gender-divergent identities have been rising, yet autistic individuals who identify as gender-divergent remain underrepresented in research. This study aimed to examine cognitive, behavioral, and identity-related profiles in autistic adults who self-identify as both neurodivergent and gender-divergent, with particular focus on how gender identity constructs relate to traits such as masking, repetitive behaviors, adaptive skills, and cognitive performance. Methods Twenty-six participants (ages 18 to 45) who self-identified as autistic completed a battery of standardized measures administered via telehealth. These measures assessed cognition, autistic traits, repetitive behaviors, masking, adaptive functioning, and gender identity. Formal ASD diagnoses were not obtained, and self-diagnosed participants were included. Results Results revealed moderate to strong correlations between genderqueer identity and both camouflaging behaviors and restricted/repetitive behaviors. Gender-diverse participants who scored higher on genderqueer identity measures also reported greater masking and higher autistic trait scores. Conclusions The findings suggest important diagnostic considerations for gender-diverse autistic individuals. These results indicate that gender identity plays a significant role in the presentation of autism traits, underscoring the need for more inclusive clinical assessments. Further research is necessary to refine diagnostic criteria and explore the intersection of autism and gender identity in diverse populations.