Clinical characteristics and problems diagnosing autism spectrum disorder in girls

Young, Harvey; Orêve, Marie-Joëlle; Speranza, Mario

doi:10.1016/j.arcped.2018.06.008

Cited by 87 publications

(61 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…The task of parenting girls with autism may entail unique challenges due to the aforementioned female-specific socio-emotional difficulties. In addition, the higher risk of delayed diagnosis (Begeer et al, 2013) may increase parental stress and reduce access to support (Crane et al, 2016; Siklos & Kerns, 2006; Young et al, 2018). Research indeed finds that parents of autistic girls have higher stress levels and receive less support than parents of autistic boys (Zamora et al, 2014).…”

Section: Parental Experiencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘I just rolled up my sleeves’: Mothers’ perspectives on raising girls on the autism spectrum

Fowler

O’Connor

2020

Autism

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Little previous research has elucidated the everyday experiences of autistic girls or their families. This study used qualitative in-depth interviews to explore mothers’ experiences of the diagnosis, presentation and impact of caring for a daughter with autism. Nineteen women with autistic daughters (aged between 7 and 18) participated in the research, which took place in Ireland. Thematic analysis identified six themes: What’s Going On?; Road to Acceptance; Beyond the Stigma of Autism; Autism: Like a Girl; Mothers Holding It All Together; and Mothers Roll Up Their Sleeves. The analysis suggests that the path of autism in girls in Ireland is marked by diagnostic delays, social stigma, interpersonal difficulties, mental health comorbidities and parental stress. However, these challenges were offset by the resilience of mothers, buttressed by pride in their daughters and support from other women. Results will inform the development of policy and practice that is sensitive to the lived realities of autistic girls and their families. Lay abstract Autism in boys has been well researched but very little is known about the everyday experiences of autistic girls or their families. Mothers’ views and insights can be very helpful in increasing knowledge around the unique demands of raising a daughter with autism. This study conducted interviews with Irish mothers to examine their own experiences regarding (a) getting an autism diagnosis for their daughter, (b) their daughters’ personal characteristics and (c) the impact of caring for a daughter with autism. The study suggests that the route to an autism diagnosis for girls in Ireland is made more difficult by delays and missed diagnoses, and often followed by inadequate supports. Mothers described autistic girls as presenting with social challenges and mental health difficulties. Many mothers experienced judgement from other parents and family members, acute stress and mental health struggles. However, these challenges were offset by mothers’ resilience, pride in their daughters and support from other women. The findings of this study highlight the importance of specific support for autistic girls and their families.

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Section: Parental Experiencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘I just rolled up my sleeves’: Mothers’ perspectives on raising girls on the autism spectrum

Fowler

O’Connor

2020

Autism

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“…Studies indicated that ASD, in some girls, might be unnoticed by the current diagnostic procedures, considered as gold standard. Thus, these girls receive fewer diagnoses when compared to males (17,18) .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Caracterização de um serviço de referência no atendimento fonoaudiológico a indivíduos com Transtorno do Espectro do Autismo

Segeren

Fernandes

2019

Audiol., Commun. Res.

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RESUMO Objetivo Buscou-se caracterizar e analisar os dados relacionados ao atendimento fonoaudiológico dirigido a crianças e adolescentes que realizaram avaliação e atendimento nos últimos 21 anos, em um serviço em que o atendimento clínico é sistematicamente associado à pesquisa e à formação profissional nos níveis de graduação e pós-graduação. Método Trata-se de uma pesquisa ex-post-facto, baseada na metodologia empírica exploratória longitudinal, com a utilização de prontuários para a coleta de dados. Resultados Somente 12% dos pacientes iniciaram o atendimento com 4 anos, ou antes desta idade; os que iniciaram o atendimento entre 4 e 9 anos representaram 74% e 14% iniciaram a terapia fonoaudiológica com mais de 10 anos de idade. Dentre os 340 pacientes analisados, 81 (24%) realizaram um ano ou menos de terapia. Conclusão Foi possível observar que a média da idade no momento de busca pelo serviço tem ocorrido tardiamente; o número de desistências/abandonos do atendimento fonoaudiológico foi de 36% da amostra e a idade em que a criança iniciou não esteve relacionada à maior adesão ao tratamento. Uma limitação a ser considerada neste estudo é que a idade dos indivíduos analisados correspondeu ao momento em que foram trazidos para a avaliação/terapia fonoaudiológica no LIF-DEA e não à idade em que foram diagnosticadas.

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“…2 At present, there are a number of barriers that delay or prevent autistic girls and women from accessing assessment services. These include, although are not limited to, gendered assumptions about how autism presents and who it impacts 1 ; an increased likelihood that female autistic traits will be attributed to other causes 3,4 ; standardized assessment measures that may not be sensitive enough to capture autistic girls and women who experience and express their autism in unique and nuanced ways [5][6][7] ; and active attempts by autistic girls and women to camouflage, or mask challenges related to their autistic traits to blend into social situations. 8,9 The rate of identification and diagnosis in females, particularly girls, has improved over time, 10 although they are still thought to be underrecognized and underrepresented.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Am I Autistic? Utility of the Girls Questionnaire for Autism Spectrum Condition as an Autism Assessment in Adult Women

Brown

Attwood

Garnett

et al. 2020

Autism in Adulthood

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This study aimed to explore the structure of a modified version of the Girls Questionnaire for Autism Spectrum Condition (GQ-ASC; Attwood et al. 2011) to test its utility as an autism screening measure for adult women. We recruited 672 cisgender and trans women aged between 18 and 72 online. The sample contained 350 autistic women (M age = 36.21, standard deviation [SD] = 10.10) and 322 nonautistic women (M age = 34.83, SD = 9.93), screened using the Autism Quotient. A principal component analysis and parallel analysis revealed a five-component solution that accounted for 40.40% of the total variance. The extracted components appear to be consistent with what is known about the way girls and women display their autistic traits and interpreted as (1) Imagination and play: Describes interest in fantasy, fiction, and reflection on the quality and content of imaginative play in childhood. (2) Camouflaging: Describes effortful attempts to reduce the visibility of autistic traits. (3) Sensory sensitivities: Describes sensory processing hyper-and hyposensitivities across various modalities. (4) Socializing: Describes barriers to social understanding and participation. (5) Interests: Describes age-advanced and nonstereotypically feminine interests. We observed significant differences between autistic and nonautistic women across all extracted components, and the total score. A receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated an excellent level of discrimination. When applying a cutoff score of 57, the GQ-ASC correctly identified 80.0% of cases. The modified GQ-ASC is an effective and highly discriminant screening tool for use in adult autistic women. It provides valuable insight into the shared features and experiences of this underrecognized and underrepresented subset of the autistic community.

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Clinical characteristics and problems diagnosing autism spectrum disorder in girls

Cited by 87 publications

References 37 publications

‘I just rolled up my sleeves’: Mothers’ perspectives on raising girls on the autism spectrum

‘I just rolled up my sleeves’: Mothers’ perspectives on raising girls on the autism spectrum

Caracterização de um serviço de referência no atendimento fonoaudiológico a indivíduos com Transtorno do Espectro do Autismo

Am I Autistic? Utility of the Girls Questionnaire for Autism Spectrum Condition as an Autism Assessment in Adult Women

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