Date: February 3, 2021
Author: Gergia Lockwood-Estrin

An autism diagnosis can affect people in many different ways. For some, it can be negative and put up additional barriers to education and employment. For others, however, it can be positive and open the doors to the support that they and their family need. It can also bolster someone’s sense of self and belonging within the autistic community.

Whether positive or negative — or, more likely, a mix of both — there is no denying that having a diagnosis makes the difference between accessing healthcare and support, or receiving nothing at all. But the journey to diagnosis is often lengthy, confusing and frustrating, which is problematic because early intervention is known to positively influence outcomes for autistic individuals and their families.

The barriers to diagnosis are especially challenging for women and girls. The research community is recognizing more and more that autistic women and girls are poorly served by the current clinical criteria and typical routes to a diagnosis.

What’s happening that leads to a later diagnosis, and delayed intervention and support, for girls compared with boys? My..

From: Spectrum News. Read more here: https://www.spectrumnews.org/opinion/viewpoint/autism-in-girls-jumping-hurdles-on-the-path-to-diagnosis/