Changing genders, conflicting views
Re: Trans activists and their influence, Jan. 13
Based on anecdotes promulgated by the Catholic Church and a hashtag started by transgender adults on the autistic spectrum with the gall to have pride in who they are, Susan Bradley concludes that the “transgender movement” ( as if such a unified entity exists) is colluding to recruit autistic young people.
Surely, Dr. Bradley is aware that this flimsy case does not meet evidentiary standards in her field of supposed expertise. I also assume that she has at least a passing familiarity with the history of similar bigoted and unsubstantiated claims made against gays and lesbians.
Perhaps she hopes that the rest of us won’t notice this wilful ignorance of scientific standards, nor the recycling of this old libel with a new twist — infantilization and denial of the agency of people on the autistic spectrum. It is unfortunate that with respect to the editors of the National Post Comment section, her cynical calculations appear to have been correct. Ayden Scheim, London, Ont.
Re: Autistic traits may fuel identity obsession, Jan. 13
The idea that gender dysphoria and autistic spectrum characteristics can co- occur does not strike me as particu- larly surprising. Science has barely scratched the surface in understanding the complexity of the human brain and there are many discoveries to come. To date there is no way of “fixing” autism; indeed, many would argue that we seek to limit neurodiversity at our own risk.
There are, however, proven ways of treating gender dysphoria; that is, by supporting the child in expressing the gender identity they are most comfortable with. This may eventually entail hormone therapy as the child enters adolescence, a time when dysphoria becomes unbearable for many children who identify as transgender.
Given the appalling rates of suicide, depression, anxiety and self- harm documented in young people suffering from untreated gender dysphoria, it is misguided and wrong for Dr. Zucker to promote the view that gender dysphoria is simply a symptom of autism.
It trivializes a real and incredibly painful condition that most of us are incapable of imagining.
Yes, there appears to be a poorly understood co- occurrence between autism and gender dysphoria in some instances. Gender dysphoria is what hurts and sometimes kills these children, however, and it is what must be treated— with compassion and an open mind. Jennifer DeLeskie, Westmount, Que.