LGBTQ + ASD

 
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There are many spectrums in life. While most people know that individuals with ASD are on a spectrum, did you know that gender and sexuality also fall on a spectrum?

 

  • Gender refers to how a person sees and experiences themselves. This spectrum includes identities such as female, male and transgender. Gender can be communicated by someone’s appearance, name or pronouns. For some people, this is congruent with their birth sex (cisgender), meaning if they were assigned at birth as a girl, they identify their gender as female. For others, their birth sex does not match who they are on the inside (transgender, questioning, gender non-conforming, genderqueer, etc.), meaning if they were assigned at birth as a girl, they identify as male, transgender or are questioning how they experience their gender.

 

  • Sexuality refers to someone’s attraction to, or intimate relationships with, others. This often captures who someone is attracted to and exists on a multitude of levels, including physical, sexual, intellectual, emotional, etc. Individuals may choose terms such as gay, lesbian, bisexual, straight, queer, pansexual and so-on to identify their sexuality.

 

Every single person has both a gender and a sexual orientation. Consideration and expression of gender or sexuality are normal, healthy aspects of life for both individuals on and off the autism spectrum.

Leslie combines her passion and work in autism with her expertise in gender and sexuality to offer specialized, supportive services for individuals to address unique topics related to ASD + gender and/or sexuality.

Many of Leslie’s clients identify as LGBTQ and want to discuss their gender or sexuality in a safe, supportive environment. Some clients are beginning to express interest in dating, developing intimate relationships or sex, and require support, education and specialized work to appropriately and safely embark on more intimate connections. Leslie incorporates work toward goals related to gender and sexuality into individual therapy services.

 

articles and presentations

 

Leslie Sickels: Differently Wired

Good Pain with Tony Manna & Chiara Motley

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leslie-sickels-differently-wired/id1633173217?i=1000623897205

 

Gender, Sexuality and Autism

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