(134) Self-Reported Autistic Traits in Transgender and Gender-Diverse Adults: Temporal Stability and Psychosocial Correlates

Introduction Autistic traits are reported to be more common in transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals relative to cisgender individuals, but the determinants of variation within gender-diverse groups remain unclear. This study examined how age, gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) and psychosocial variables, including gender dysphoria and social motivation, relate to the stability and expression of autistic traits over time. Objective To examine the temporal stability of self-reported neurodiverse/autistic traits and to identify demographic, treatment-related, and psychosocial predictors of variation in these traits in transgender and gender-diverse adults. Methods A total of 203 adults identifying as transgender and/or gender-diverse completed validated online self-report instruments at two time points approximately 15 months apart. Autistic traits were assessed using the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and its five subdomains (Social Skills, Attention Switching, Attention to Detail, Communication, Imagination). Predictor variables included age, birth-assigned gender, gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT: yes/no), duration of treatment (days), congruence with the self-experienced gender (Transgender Congruence Scale: TCS), and gender minority stress - operationalised as distal minority stressors and proximal resilience factors (Gender Minority Stress and Resilience Measure: GMSRM). Linear mixed-effects models with participant-level random intercepts were applied. Model fit and explained variance were assessed using marginal R2, and intra-class correlations (ICC) estimated temporal stability. Results Mean AQ scores were higher than general-population norms, indicating an increased prevalence of autistic traits rather than categorical autistic diagnoses. Strong temporal stability was observed across AQ domains (ICC = .42–.71), while fixed predictors accounted for 3–9% of variance (R2_marginal). Older age predicted lower total AQ (p < .001), better Attention Switching (p = .004), and better Imagination (p = .002). Lower self-experienced gender congruence correlated with more difficulties in Social Skills (p = .041), greater Attention to Detail (p = .006), and higher total AQ (p = .009). Greater distal stress predicted poorer Attention Switching (p = .019), and lower proximal resilience predicted poorer Imagination (p = .008). GAHT showed a small, domain-specific association with Communication (p = .023). No significant effects of birth-assigned gender or interactions emerged. Conclusions Self-reported neurodiverse/autistic traits in transgender and gender-diverse adults appear highly stable over time, consistent with core aspects of neurodiversity rather than fluctuating psychological symptoms. Variation is more strongly associated with age and gender minority stress than with GAHT. These findings highlight the importance of differentiating stable neurodevelopmental trait expression from context-dependent effects of minority stress, with implications for clinical assessment and supportive care in gender-diverse populations. Disclosure No