Gender diversity and autism spectrum conditions in children and adolescents: A narrative review of the methodologies used by quantitative studies.

Aim: This narrative review aimed to analyse the methodologies used by quantitative studies to evaluate their evidence for the association between gender diversity and autism spectrum conditions (ASC) in child and adolescent population samples.

Method: A systematic search was conducted for papers published between 2010 and 2020.

Results: Fifteen papers met the inclusion criteria; all reported associations between their defined versions of gender diversity and ASC. Gender diversity was characterised as "dysphoria", "variance", and/or "diverse", and was correlated across ASC categories of "symptoms", "traits", or "empathising and systemising styles of thinking". Multiple diagnostic criteria and/or nonspecific, adult administrated measures were used to quantify youth gender experiences and ASCs.

Conclusion: Interpretations of the findings are discussed in relation to critical appraisal of methodologies used including data collection and deduction, the characteristics of the sample population, the usage of comparison groups, and the overall quality of statistical reporting amongst others.