My son was a late diagnosis (although I had been pushing for assessment for years, he was diagnosed first with dyspraxia, then ADHD, then finally ASD at 13). I went on a course for parents with newly diagnosed kids - they only run the one for late diagnosis a few times a year - out of 30plus families, we were the only ones with a boy.
Subsequently, a lot of the course (and the parents questions) was particularly relevant to girls - it was explained to us that girls were often able to sufficiently cope/adapt (mask?) during childhood, but at adolescence, when bodies begin to change and gender rules become more sharply defined (girls being expected to care about their appearance, for example) ASD girls became confused, distressed, and/or withdrawn/defiant.
One of the reasons my son was diagnosed late was because he didn’t exhibit the stereotypical special interest stuff (trainspotting, numbers on lampposts etc). He’s always had obsessive interests, but has picked things that have allowed him to fly under the radar, things perceived as cool by neurotypical peers (skateboarding, learning to play guitar, Kurt Cobain, and the worst one of all in terms of intensity/difficulty to cope with, his first proper girlfriend).
Many of the parents course attendees described similar.
Is anyone considering attending this conference? It’s expensive but I think it’s important that there is a GC presence, if only to observe and report back.
I’m wondering if it’s feasible for me (I qualify for the parent/career ticket price).