NHS Plans Autism Screening for Gender-Confused Youth

Recent reports indicate that the NHS in England is planning to implement new guidelines requiring comprehensive assessments for children and adolescents referred to gender services, including mandatory screening for neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism and ADHD. This move is based on evidence showing a notably higher prevalence of autism among transgender and gender-diverse youth, particularly those assigned female at birth, and follows recommendations from the Cass review to consider the whole child rather than focusing solely on gender identity. The guidelines will also address other aspects of a child's life, such as family context, mental health, and school relationships, aiming for a more holistic approach to care. Experts note that autism is often underdiagnosed in girls, who may mask their symptoms, which can complicate both autism and gender dysphoria diagnoses. The NHS approach is seen as addressing previous reluctance to explore co-occurring mental health or neurodevelopmental conditions in this population. Advocacy groups have welcomed the more careful and holistic assessments, though some caution that implementation details will be important.