and that HCP are less likely to refer a woman for a diagnosis than they are a man?
I know that's not exactly newsworthy and I'm not posting anything revolutionary here but I have been wondering if it's really more common in boys at all and whether it's actually closer to a 50/50 split. Just that girls often get missed for diagnosis but their male counterparts don't.
I have suspected that I am on the spectrum for years but have never really been sure. Everything I've read about Asperger's sounded similar to me but there were things that just sounded "off" iyswim. It wasn't until about a year ago when I found out how women on the spectrum present differently to men that it all just clicked. The descriptions of women with Asperger's fit me perfectly.
I did bring it up with my GP and asked about getting an assesment but my concerns were shrugged off and I was told that it wouldn't be worth it anyway. He also told me that Aspergers is "rare in females" therefore he doubted very much I really have it.
On the other hand my brother who is also very likely on the spectrum asked for an assesment (same GP) and he didn't hesitate to refer him. Maybe I'm overthinking it but I can't help thinking that gender did play a part in this, especially considering what the GP said to me about it been rare in women.
Obviously Asperger's does present differently in females which is the first barrier but I can't help but think that maybe HCP would also be less likely to suspect it in females anyway and might think it's something else.