Negative social experiences, mental health, and autistic LGBTQ+ youth

The Promise of Discovery Season 4, Episode 6 Autistic LGBTQ+ youth are at increased risk of experiencing negative social experiences and associated psychological distress. This episode discusses a study that examined the effects of gender minority status and sexual minority status on negative social experiences (defined by frequent peer victimization and low degrees of authenticity) and depressive symptoms among autistic transition-age youth and explored whether the associations between negative social experiences and depressive symptoms differed across gender/sexual identity. This work highlights the need for immediate intervention to improve the mental health of autistic gender minority youth. Featuring: Natalie Libster, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Pediatrics., Vanderbilt University Interviewer: Julie Lounds Taylor, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences; Co-Director, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities; and a Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Member