Asperger's Syndrome Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Asperger's Syndrome, including details on symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, medication.

Comorbidity of Asperger syndrome and gender identity disorder.

Kraemer B, Delsignore A, Gundelfinger R, Schnyder U, Hepp U

Psychiatric Department, University Hospital, Culmannstrasse 8, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland. bernd.kraemer@usz.ch

The case of a 35-year-old biological woman with Asperger syndrome (AS) and gender identity disorder (GID) fulfilling DSM-IV criteria is reported. Against the background of recently emerging theories of cognitive male pattern underlying autism we present additional psychological assessments in order to discuss any possible interaction or discrimination between AS and GID. Whilst we explain GID as a secondary feature of AS, we examine the assumption of the necessity of treating GID in AS as a primary GID in accordance with international standards. We consider the treatment of GID as compelling, particularly because curative therapy for AS is lacking and with GID treatment in this vein, the patient gains psychosocial improvement.

Published 27 June 2005 in Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry, 14(5): 292-6.
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