understanding, stigma, and incorrect assumptions about the disorder have made it difficult for autistic women and girls to get diagnosed. Girls with autism: - Can be better at responding to non- verbal communication and gaze-following. - May struggle with social communication later in life. - May find it difficult to adapt. - May have lower levels of verbal cognitive ability. - May struggle to understand sarcasm. - May obsess over more socially acceptable interests, such as TV shows. - May find conversation difficult. - May have a hard time keeping or making friends. - May struggle with unusual sensory difficulties. - May show interest in creativity or STEM. - May struggle with directions or understanding maps. - May have poor posture. - May enjoy excessively collecting items Some girls show classic markers of autism, such as speech or language difficulty and self-stimulating behaviors. However, many go under the radar through subtle signs of autism that are hidden through masking; A conscious or subconscious suppression of autistic behaviors and difficulties in social interaction by autistic people with the goal of being perceived as displaying the “right” behavior by neurotypicals. Moreover, girls and women are expected to align themselves with society’s expectations of how a young girl or woman should act. For example, through society’s lens, girls and women are expected to behave in a way that is “ladylike,” and exudes femininity. Women of their specific interests. - Can be perfectionists. Why Do Autistic Girls Go Undiagnosed? and girls are expected to be passive, quiet, and easygoing. Since some signs of autism mirror this behavior, it’s easy to gloss over. In addition to camouflaging, autistic girls and women are more likely to partake in the following: Mirroring Autistic females are more likely to copy
or mimic other people’s mannerisms, speech patterns, and personalities. Hyper-Empathy While empathy is a normal human trait, autistic people are more likely to experience a heightened level of empathy, known as hyper-empathy. This type of empathy can cause mild emotional situations to be devastating or overwhelming. People-Pleasing When autistic girls and women share their true selves, they may be shamed or invalidated. This lack of support can cause girls and women affected by autism to hide pieces of themselves and submit to people-pleasing behaviors. Social Withdrawl Autistic girls may be more likely to come across as blunt when interacting with other people due to their more direct communication style. While they mean no ill intentions, blunt language can come across to others as harsh or abrasive, and cause issues. Thus, leaving autistic girls feeling rejected, and even isolated. At School Young girls with autism may present as the “quiet” child in school, or even be prone to emotional outbursts in the classroom. In addition, autistic girls may show disinterest in school sports, feel anxious during P.E. classes, and struggle with teachers who may raise their voices. Transitions from classroom to classroom may present an additional challenge. In Friendships In friendships, an autistic girl may struggle to fit into friendship groups or feel like they’re always left out. If a conflict were to arise, an autistic girl may get overwhelmed and instead choose solo playtime, versus playtime with a group. How to Support Girls with Autism Many girls go a long time, sometimes well into adulthood, before getting diagnosed with autism. For some, this diagnosis could lead to a sense of relief, understanding, and self-acceptance. For others, a diagnosis could lead to other avenues of self-discovery, such as awareness of mental illnesses or learning disabilities. Whether you suspect high or low-functioning autism, getting your child diagnosed as soon as possible can help improve their quality of life and give them the support they need to thrive.
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