Exploring the Intersection of Gender Diversity and Intellectual Disability: A Scoping Review With a Focus on Clinical Care

Kady F Sternberg; Joanna G Cloutier; Kaitlyn Ahlers; Christina Moore; Kathleen A Koth; Takahiro Soda; Narpinder Kaur Malhi; Shikha Verma; Lisa C Yeh; Jennifer L McLaren

doi:10.1111/jar.70010

Exploring the Intersection of Gender Diversity and Intellectual Disability: A Scoping Review With a Focus on Clinical Care

J Appl Res Intellect Disabil. 2025 Jan;38(1):e70010. doi: 10.1111/jar.70010.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychiatry, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA.
² Health Promotion and Resiliency Intervention Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
³ Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA.
⁴ Department of Psychiatry, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA.
⁵ Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
⁶ Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
⁷ Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, ChristianaCare, Wilmington, Delaware, USA.
⁸ Department of Psychiatry, Evolve Treatment Centers, El Segundo, California, USA.
⁹ Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
¹⁰ Department of Psychiatry, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire; Department of Pediatrics, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire; The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Hanover, New Hampshire, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA.

PMID: 39844579
DOI: 10.1111/jar.70010

Abstract

Background: Little research has been conducted solely exploring gender diversity in people with intellectual disabilities. This review explores the literature, discusses the prevalence, and identifies clinical best practices for people at the intersection of gender diversity and intellectual disability.

Method: A scoping review was conducted utilising PRISMA methodology of the following databases: PubMed, CINAHL Complete (EBSCO), Cochrane Library (Wiley), Dissertations & Theses Global (ProQuest), PsycInfo (EBSCO), Scopus and Web of Science.

Results: Five hundred seventy five titles and abstracts were screened, 61 full-text articles were reviewed and 17 met inclusion criteria. Four major themes were identified: prevalence, trauma and co-occurring mental health disorders, barriers to care and best practices.

Conclusion: This review highlights the lack of research and provides valuable insight into the experiences of people with gender diversity and intellectual disability. Further research is needed to understand the prevalence and explore the intersection and experience of gender-diverse people with intellectual disabilities.

Keywords: gender diversity; intellectual developmental disorder; intellectual disability; transgender.

Publication types

Scoping Review

MeSH terms

Female
Humans
Intellectual Disability* / epidemiology
Intellectual Disability* / therapy
Male
Mental Disorders* / epidemiology
Mental Disorders* / therapy

Grants and funding

SM084906-01/U.S Department of Health and Human Services