Working with Autistic Transgender and Non-Binary People - by Marianthi Kourti (Paperback)

About the Book

An invaluable resource for professionals working with autistic trans, non-binary or gender-variant people, this edited collection sets out advice, research and own stories to inform their practice. It is structured around three sections, the first setting the scene, the second featuring professionals discussing their work, and the third featuring autistic trans and non-binary people discussing their experiences of gender variance, including access to services, experiences of growing up trans/non-binary at school and the challenges - and joys - that navigating questions of gender in a family context may bring.

Book Synopsis

Setting out advice, research and personal reflections to inform professionals' daily practice and overall understanding of the lives and experiences of autistic transgender and non-binary people, this edited volume is an invaluable resource for anyone who seeks to engage more with autistic transgender, non-binary or gender-variant people.

Aiming to contextualise the overlap of autism and gender variance, this book features chapters by leading authorities such as Wenn Lawson, Damian Milton, Isabelle Hénault, Reubs Walsh, Lydia X. Z. Brown, and Shain Neumeier as well as other contributors from around the world. The collection is structured in three sections; the first provides interdisciplinary and intersectional approaches on autism and gender as well as the experiences of transgender and non-binary autistic people; the second features professionals discussing their work, the challenges they face and the solutions they find helpful; and the final section presents thoughts and perspectives from trans and non-binary autistic people on various aspects of their experiences, focusing on information that professionals will need to consider and discuss with the people they support.

Combining rich and nuanced accounts of the lives of autistic trans people, practical guidance and information as well as the latest academic research about autistic transgender and non-binary individuals, this unique collection is essential reading for any professional wanting to develop their daily practice.

Review Quotes

A useful collection of essays about gender in relation to Autism, and by Autists, to boot. More please!-- "The Spectrum"

This book is an excellent, inclusive and helpful resource on neurodiversity, gender diversity and intersectionality. Highly recommended.--Yenn Purkis - autistic and non-binary advocate and author

Parents and professionals need to listen to the voices of autistic transgender and non-binary people as well as the professionals who support them. We can then share the journey together with acceptance and authentication.--Dr Tony Attwood, Minds and Hearts Clinic, Brisbane

I cannot emphasize enough how important this book is, particularly in centering the voices of autistic trans and gender diverse people, rather than allistic cisgender people speaking on their behalf. A must read for educators, therapists, health care providers, parents, and anyone else who engages with these populations.--Dr. Shanna K. Kattari, Assistant Professor, University of Michigan School of Social Work and Director of the [Sexuality Relationships Gender] Research Collective

This is an excellent resource for professionals who work with all autistic people. As Kourti reveals, gender variance is far more common among autistic people so it's important to learn how to be safe for transgender and non-binary people. Academically rigorous, accessible to professionals from a variety of fields, and written by the leading experts: Autistic people themselves.--- Maxfield Sparrow, editor of Spectrums: Autistic Transgender People in Their Own Words (Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2020)

This collection articulates -- with nuance, care, and determination -- the multi-faceted issues faced by autistic transgender people in accessing gender-affirming care. The authors host a robust discussion of autism and gender at the intersections of race and age. This volume is an essential resource for professionals in education, psychiatry, and medicine.--Rua M. Williams, Assistant Professor, Purdue University

About the Author

Marianthi Kourti is an autistic non-binary scholar and professional currently working on their PhD at the University of Birmingham. They have spoken and published on the topic of autism and gender identity and organised a variety of workshops and other events on autism, gender and sexuality, including co-organising the Intimate Lives? Autism, Gender and Sexuality conference in 2018, which was the first conference to specifically focus on gender identity and autism.