Support Group for Gender Diverse Autistic Young Adults

Many autistic young adults also identify as gender-diverse, meaning they may not feel like the gender they were assigned at birth. These individuals face unique challenges, including feeling pressured to hide parts of who they are, struggling to find support, and dealing with high levels of stress. Right now, there aren't many programs designed specifically to help autistic gender-diverse young adults feel safe, understood, and supported. This study is exploring a support group called the SHIFT Guide (Supporting Holistic Identity and Future Thriving). This guide is designed to help autistic gender-diverse young adults connect with others, explore their identities, and develop coping strategies in a safe and affirming space. The goal is to see if the SHIFT Guide is helpful, easy to use, and meets the needs of participants. By learning from this study, we hope to improve support for autistic gender-diverse young adults and create more spaces where they can