Autism and Gender Variance: Clinical Considerations
Presented by Kate McNulty, LCSW
This program was recorded live on Friday, January 26th, 2024
Access provided upon registration on “My Courses” page.
Literature and clinical practice reflect growing evidence of the overlap between autism and gender variance. Autistic people experience non-conforming identities such as trans, non-binary and other forms of gender flexibility in greater numbers than the general population. This trend suggests that clinicians have an ethical obligation to recognize and identify these vulnerable clients, who present in therapy with a variety of indistinct symptoms. These clients may seek services without fully recognizing their own inner experience and may not have language for expressing their needs.
This class will include current terminology and concepts in use among autistic and gender-variant people. Participants will examine social biases and clinical misconceptions. We will review techniques for exploring sensitive topics with tact and ease. This training will help prepare you to deliver informed services to this client base through case presentation examples of gender-questioning clients; the array of gender expressions you may encounter in your practice; autistic identity and how it relates to gender; and pertinent resources for this type of client.
Access provided upon registration on “My Courses” page.
This program, when attended in its entirety, offers 2.0 CEs for Psychologists, 2.0 IL CEUS for Counselors and Social Workers, 2.0 BBS California CEUs for LPCCs, LPSW, and LMFTs, or 2.0 AASECT CEs for Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists.
Literature and clinical practice reflect growing evidence of the overlap between autism and gender variance. Autistic people experience non-conforming identities such as trans, non-binary and other forms of gender flexibility in greater numbers than the general population. This trend suggests that clinicians have an ethical obligation to recognize and identify these vulnerable clients, who present in therapy with a variety of indistinct symptoms. These clients may seek services without fully recognizing their own inner experience and may not have language for expressing their needs.
This class will include current terminology and concepts in use among autistic and gender-variant people. Participants will examine social biases and clinical misconceptions. We will review techniques for exploring sensitive topics with tact and ease. This training will help prepare you to deliver informed services to this client base through case presentation examples of gender-questioning clients; the array of gender expressions you may encounter in your practice; autistic identity and how it relates to gender; and pertinent resources for this type of client.
After attending this introductory-level program, participants will be able to:
- Capably identify three probable indicators of gender variance in clients.
- Describe two clinical techniques for building rapport with gender non-conforming clients.
- Name 3 ways intersectional identities lead to social and economic disadvantages and a higher incidence of victimization among trans and autistic people.
This program meets APA’s continuing education STANDARD 1.3: Program content focuses on topics related to psychological practice, education, or research other than application of psychological assessment and/or intervention methods that are supported by contemporary scholarship grounded in established research procedures.
This program meets APA’s continuing education GOAL 3: Program will allow psychologists to maintain, develop, and increase competencies in order to improve services to the public and enhance contributions to the profession.
This program meets AASECT Core Knowledge Area for:
A. Ethics and ethical behavior.
D. Issues related to sexual orientation and/or gender identity: heterosexuality; issues and themes impacting lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, asexual people; gender identity and expression.
General Admission: $30
The Chicago School Faculty/Staff/Alumni: $20*
The Chicago School Students: $15*
(*Please email [email protected] for coupon code)
Refund Policy: 100% of tuition is refundable up to 48 hours before the program. Within 48 hours of the program, and at any point in Homestudy format, tuition is nonrefundable.
Kallitsounaki, A., & Williams, D. M. (2022). Autism Spectrum Disorder and Gender Dysphoria/Incongruence. A systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 53(8), 3103–3117. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-022-05517-y
Warrier, V., Greenberg, D. M., Weir, E., Buckingham, C., Smith, P., Lai, M., Allison, C., & Baron–Cohen, S. (2020). Elevated rates of autism, other neurodevelopmental and psychiatric diagnoses, and autistic traits in transgender and gender-diverse individuals. Nature Communications, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-17794-1
Wattel, L. L., Walsh, R. J., & Krabbendam, L. (2022). Theories on the Link Between Autism Spectrum Conditions and Trans Gender Modality: a Systematic Review. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-022-00338-2
Kate McNulty, LCSW
Kate McNulty is an autistic and gender variant clinician who currently works with adults in private practice. Kate has an extensive history of clinical experience with gender non-conforming youth. Kate is certified as an AASECT Sex Therapist and Supervisor.
Target Audience: Masters and Doctoral Level Mental Health Professionals.
Psychologists. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 2.0 continuing education credits. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is committed to accessibility and non-discrimination in its continuing education activities. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is also committed to conducting all activities in conformity with the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles for Psychologists. Participants are asked to be aware of the need for privacy and confidentiality throughout the program. If program content becomes stressful, participants are encouraged to process these feelings during discussion periods.
Counselors/Clinical Counselors. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available 2.0 hours of continuing education. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide continuing education programming for counselors and clinical counselors. License Number: 197.000159
Social Workers. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 2.0 hours of continuing education. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide continuing education programming for social workers. License Number: 159.001036
MFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs. Course meets the qualifications for 2.0 hour of continuing education credit for MFTs, LPCCs, and/or LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. If you are licensed outside of California please check with your local licensing agency to to determine if they will accept these CEUs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) to offer continuing education programming for MFTs, LPCCs, LEPs, and/or LCSWs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is an accredited or approved postsecondary institution that meets the requirements set forth in Sections 4980.54(f)(1), 4989.34, 4996.22(d)(1), or 4999.76(d) of the Code.
Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists. This program meets the requirements of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) and is approved for 2.0 CE credits. The Office of Continuing Education at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology has been approved as an AASECT Provider of continuing education credits! Provider number 23-519-CW. These CE credits may be applied toward AASECT certification and renewal of certification. Completion of this program does not ensure or guarantee AASECT certification. For further information please contact [email protected].
Non Psychologists. Most licensing boards accept Continuing Education Credits sponsored by the American Psychological Association but non-psychologists are recommended to consult with their specific state-licensing board to ensure that APA-sponsored CE is acceptable.
*Participants must attend 100% of the program in order to obtain a Certificate of Attendance.
If participants have special needs, we will attempt to accommodate them. Please address questions, concerns and any complaints to [email protected]. There is no commercial support for this program nor are there any relationships between the CE Sponsor, presenting organization, presenter, program content, research, grants, or other funding that could reasonably be construed as conflicts of interest.