Autism in Girls

[cyberseraphim]

lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/health/story/0,,2283588,00.html

I'm not sure who apart from Health Visitors ever thought that girls can't be autistic as female autism is not that poorly documented. It was sad to read about Lorna Wing's daughter though.

Thanks for that, made interesting reading. I have been on the receiving end of the "it's unlikely to be autism, she is a girl" statement - made to me by the first paed we saw when dd1 was 20 months old.

The girls generally didn't get diagnosed as children. We got missed out because we weren't badly behaved enough, and because the questions are designed for men to answer. Women are more likely to be diagnosed with OCD, anorexia, schizophrenia, and given entirely wrong treatments that don't work, because it's not really those things at all.

That's a really interesting article, which has answered one of my questions about why certain stages of my life have been much harder to handle than others. Thank you.

I see what you mean Amber - I read an article a while back that discussed whether some female anorexics could be Aspergers.

Thanks for sharing. I am currently going for a dx of Asperger's for myself... the Dr has referred me, I just need to fill out all the questionnaires...

At the Orientation meeting for the Hanen program, over half of the 12 parents/carers had ASD daughters including a set of girl twins. The SALT still included the bit in her set speech about 'you'll have noticed from the intros that far more boys are affected' so 0/10 for listening!

I got an email this morning asking if I'd like to take part in

'A Prototypical Analysis of Psychopathy and Antisocial Personality Disorder with Law and Legal Professionals. '

I think they mean the clients/students.....

Having worked with legal professionals for years, I'm pretty sure they did mean them

having been a legal professional for 4 years .....

Leonie, I'm being referred to CLASS in Cambridge.

This is their website:

class

Simon Baron-Cohen is a renowned expert on Asperger's

cyberseraphim, I wouldn't be too sure

Hi

I have been following this blog that seemed to have started before Christmas, a couple of parents sharing some of their challenges with the education system and daughter who has autism.

Some it has made made me laugh

PTR :)

sorry forgot to add link, new to this ...

bloodyprofessionals.blogspot.com/

I think you should Leonie but do you have time.

All the females in my family are on the spectrum - mum, sister and myself. we have only just realised (since DS has been going through assessments for HFA)

Everything I have ever read has been about men/boys, even Baron Cohen's questionnaire is obviously designed for male aspies.

My sister has OCD and eating disorders, myself and my mother have a social phobia.

I'm just starting to recognise that my mum has a social phobia of some sort. It's a bit like being agoraphobic without the fear of open spaces, IYKWIM! She is very shy and doesn't seem to enjoy other people's company beyond her family. My dad was so sociable that it masked it, she would go out with him, to the shops, on holiday and occasionally out for a meal. She even had a job for 10 years or so, but never saw any colleagues outside work. After my dad died we realised she had no friends of her own. She won't make any effort to talk to strangers unless I or my sister is with her.

I had always thought the genetics for my DS's ASD came from my ex H's obviously quirky family, but maybe the mix of us both had more to do with it?

I haven't read much about ASD (apart from in relation to Aspergers) in girls.
My DD has severe speech delay so would be unlikely to get a diagnosis of Aspergers.
She doesn't need routine, order, have meltdowns, line things up.
She does have good (as far as I can tell appropriate) eye contact although does look at objects, especially soft toys out of the corner of her eyes, has no interest in socialising with peers, prefering to play on her own in her own little world.
From what we can observe from her playing (she "talks" constantly to herself and her dolls) the imaginative play is there.
Anyone know of any books specifically about ASD in girls, not just Aspergers?

Very few books about ASD in girls alice. If you find any let us know.

I have found snippets of info on the web, my Dd3 has a dx of Asd, i think the psyc decided in view of the changes coming up and also Dd3 not clearly meeting the criteria for aspergers she decided on Asd.

It was v hard to get the dx though because as people have already said the criteria is designed for boys!!

Thanks Ineedalife
We are realising this too.
If girls present differently (which research strongly indicates) then there should be a criteria for girls too, surely?

My dd was diagnosed with Autism at 3, she is the most socialable child you will ever meet completely over the top constantly excited and all over any new person due to a complete lack of social boundaries.
If I had a penny for every time someone has commented well she doesn't look very autistic.
So many people still believe that Autism presents itself as a solitary boy rocking in a corner.
Life is a constant battle with an invisable disability that has so many limitations for our youngsters, it is also a blessing when not in meltdown I have have a child who loves life, loves people and loves particpating albeit on her terms.
If we can harness the positives and hopefully find a way manage others expectations of her behaviour I have no doubt she will be successful in life.