Table 3 Self-reported healthcare experiences for transgender autistic adults compared to cisgender autistic adults

General healthcare experience

Are you able to see healthcare professionals as often as you would like?

0.74 (0.53, 1.01)

0.12

0.69 (0.49, 0.96)

0.13

Do you have health insurance?

2.64 (1.61, 4.60)

2.08 × \({10}^{-3}\) (**)

2.31 (1.35, 4.20)

0.05 (*)

Autism and healthcare

I have told my healthcare professional that I am autistic

0.92 (0.63, 1.37)

0.75

1.10 (0.73, 1.67)

0.71

My healthcare professional and I have discussed my autism

0.90 (0.64, 1.26)

0.66

0.90 (0.63, 1.28)

0.65

My healthcare professional knows what autism is

1.05 (0.74, 1.51)

0.82

1.15 (0.80, 1.67)

0.60

I think that my healthcare professional usually tries to make adjustments for me because I am autistic

1.10 (0.77, 1.56)

0.70

1.20 (0.83, 1.72)

0.48

I think that my healthcare professional usually considers my autism when making diagnoses and treatment plans

0.87 (0.59, 1.26)

0.59

0.87 (0.59, 1.28)

0.62

Communication

I am usually able to explain what my symptoms are

0.68 (0.49, 0.95)

0.06

0.79 (0.56, 1.13)

0.36

I usually understand what my healthcare professional means when they discuss my health

0.62 (0.44, 0.89)

0.03 (*)

0.68 (0.48, 0.99)

0.17

I do not usually ask all the questions I would like to about my health

1.09 (0.74, 1.63)

0.76

0.92 (0.61, 1.40)

0.72

I can bring up a health concern even if my healthcare professional doesn’t ask about it

0.63 (0.46, 0.87)

0.02 (*)

0.78 (0.55, 1.10)

0.33

I know what is expected of me when I go to see my healthcare professional

0.48 (0.35, 0.67)

2.26 × \({10}^{-4}\) (***)

0.57 (0.40, 0.81)

0.04 (*)

Anxiety

The idea of going to see a healthcare professional makes me feel anxious

1.63 (1.02, 2.74)

0.11

1.27 (0.77, 2.19)

0.52

The environment of the waiting room office makes me feel anxious

0.98 (0.66, 1.48)

0.93

0.74 (0.49, 1.15)

0.36

I feel anxious when I see a different healthcare professional to whom I expect

2.21 (1.31, 3.99)

0.02 (*)

1.76 (1.02, 3.25)

0.21

The process of setting up an appointment makes me anxious

2.20 (1.31, 3.97)

0.02 (*)

1.71 (0.99, 3.14)

0.24

The process of picking up a prescription makes me anxious

1.47 (1.05, 2.08)

0.06 (*)

1.25 (0.88, 1.79)

0.36

I frequently leave my healthcare professional’s office feeling as though I did not receive any help at all

0.94 (0.68, 1.32)

0.78

0.78 (0.55, 1.11)

0.35

Access and advocacy

I know who to contact if I have a healthcare concern

0.64 (0.45, 0.92)

0.04 (*)

0.72 (0.50, 1.04)

0.24

If I need to go to see a healthcare professional, I am able to get there

0.41 (0.28, 0.58)

1.32 × \({10}^{-5}\) (***)

0.44 (0.30, 0.66)

3.37 × \({10}^{-3}\) (**)

I usually bring someone along to help support me in my appointments

1.44 (1.03, 2.00)

0.07

1.15 (0.80, 1.64)

0.59

If I need to go to the pharmacy, I am able to get there

0.47 (0.31, 0.72)

3.09 × \({10}^{-3}\) (**)

0.45 (0.29, 0.71)

0.01 (**)

I am able to follow a procedure for next steps if asked (for example, I will attend follow-up appointments, annual checkups if applicable, etc.…)

0.56 (0.39, 0.82)

0.01 (**)

0.65 (0.45, 0.97)

0.13

I am able to make appointments for myself

0.61 (0.42, 0.90)

0.04 (*)

0.73 (0.49, 1.11)

0.32

I will wait until it is an emergency before I go to see a healthcare professional

1.28 (0.91, 1.83)

0.25

1.25 (0.88, 1.81)

0.36

Chosen not to go in to see a healthcare professional regarding a health concern

2.26 (1.41, 3.83)

5.56 × \({10}^{-3}\) (**)

1.78 (1.09, 3.06)

0.13

System

In most appointments, I have enough time to discuss my concerns with healthcare professionals

0.88 (0.63, 1.23)

0.57

0.91 (0.64, 1.28)

0.67

If I need to go to see a specialist for a healthcare concern, I am able to do so

0.58 (0.42, 0.81)

5.56 × \({10}^{-3}\) (**)

0.63 (0.45, 0.89)

0.09

I often choose not to go to the doctor with concerns if I need to see a specialist because I know that it will take me many appointments before I can see the specialist

1.48 (1.06, 2.08)

0.06

1.25 (0.88, 1.79)

0.36

I usually leave my appointments knowing what the next steps are (i.e. follow-up appointments, medications, etc)

0.77 (0.55, 1.08)

0.21

0.90 (0.63, 1.29)

0.65

I am provided with appropriate support after I receive a diagnosis of any kind (i.e. anything from infections to chronic conditions)

0.77 (0.54, 1.08)

0.23

0.80 (0.55, 1.14)

0.36

Sensory experiences

Reported at least one sensory difference (hyper- or hyposensitivity)

3.44 (1.41, 11.39)

0.05 × \({10}^{-3}\) (*)

2.16 (0.86, 7.25)

0.33

I am able to describe how my symptoms feel in my body

0.77 (0.56, 1.06)

0.20

0.94 (0.67, 1.31)

0.74

I am able to describe how bad my pain feels

0.53 (0.38, 0.74)

1.47 × 10 (***)

0.66 (0.47, 0.93)

0.12

I am able to describe my sensory processing differences to healthcare professionals

0.80 (0.57, 1.12)

0.29

1.01 (0.71, 1.43)

0.96

The sensory environment of the waiting room is more overwhelming than other environments

1.04 (0.73, 1.49)

0.86

0.88 (0.61, 1.29)

0.62

The sensory environment of the office is more overwhelming than other environments

0.88 (0.64, 1.22)

0.57

0.81 (0.58, 1.14)

0.36

My senses frequently overwhelm me so that I have trouble focusing on conversations with healthcare professionals

1.51 (1.07, 2.16)

0.06

1.27 (0.88, 1.86)

0.36

Triggers for a shutdowns

The idea of going to see a healthcare professional

1.60 (1.15, 2.22)

0.02 (*)

1.33 (0.94, 1.88)

0.28

Setting up an appointment to see a healthcare professional

2.14 (1.54, 2.98)

1.05 × \({10}^{-4}\) (***)

1.82 (1.29, 2.56)

0.02 (*)

Sensory environment of the waiting room

1.15 (1.09, 2.11)

0.04 (*)

1.34 (0.95, 1.89)

0.28

Sensory environment of the office

1.44 (1.03, 2.00)

0.08

1.26 (0.89, 1.79)

0.36

Seeing a different healthcare professional to whom you expect

1.50 (1.08, 2.09)

0.05 (*)

1.21 (0.85, 1.72)

0.45

Talking to a healthcare professional

1.93 (1.39, 2.69)

9.89 × \({10}^{-4}\) (***)

1.54 (1.08, 2.19)

0.12

Picking up a prescription

1.68 (1.12, 2.48)

0.20

1.41 (0.92, 2.12)

0.29

Having to see many healthcare professionals before being able to talk to a specialist

1.71 (1.23, 2.38)

0.01 (**)

1.49 (1.05, 2.11)

0.13

After a diagnosis of any kind due to lack of follow-up or support

1.80 (1.29, 2.53)

4.45 × \({10}^{-3}\) (**)

1.67 (1.18, 2.38)

0.05 (*)

Triggers for a meltdown

The idea of going to see a healthcare professional

1.78 (1.19, 2.61)

0.02 (*)

1.46 (0.96, 2.18)

0.24

Setting up an appointment to see a healthcare professional

1.95 (1.31, 2.87)

5.34 × \({10}^{-3}\) (**)

1.63 (1.07, 2.45)

0.12

Sensory environment of the waiting room

1.36 (0.90, 2.01)

0.23

1.17 (0.76, 1.76)

0.61

Sensory environment of the office

1.25 (0.77, 1.95)

0.49

1.13 (0.68, 1.81)

0.70

Seeing a different healthcare professional to whom you expect

1.63 (1.09, 2.39)

0.05 (*)

1.46 (0.96, 2.19)

0.24

Talking to a healthcare professional

1.01 (0.64, 1.56)

0.96

0.90 (0.56, 1.40)

0.70

Picking up a prescription

1.39 (0.81, 2.28)

0.30

1.27 (0.73, 2.15)

0.53

Having to see many healthcare professionals before being able to talk to a specialist

1.40 (0.97, 1.99)

0.13

1.15 (0.79, 1.67)

0.60

After a diagnosis of any kind due to lack of follow-up or support

1.63 (1.16, 2.28)

0.02 (*)

1.27 (0.89, 1.81)

0.36