“Autism and Gender”
I have been diagnosed with an Autism spectrum disorder late on, I'm 39 and female. I have read a lot and watched several different documens online about various forms of Autism. I find it strange that on this site, it is still specified as a condition which mostly affects Males. I am given to understand that recent studies are proving the obvious, that the condition affects just as many females, and that it just isn't recognised as much in females. It is very frustrating for me, as a woman who has gone through my whole life knowing that I'm different to most people & that nobody could ever understand or help me, that you either have not updated your website, or you are still of the old dinosaur Dr's opinion, not taking into account the basic fact that male and female brain functions are different, and that with that in mind, the diagnostic tools need to be updated and made to take those differences into account. This would be one step towards stopping future generations to be dragged all through Mental health services & misdiagnosed for over 20 years, which is what I've had to endure!
6 Answers
In my opinion, there is no binary answer to your questions in terms of the diagnosis of Autism. I encourage you to seek professional help and to get what you need in treatment.
Some sites carry old data - recent research does not diminish the relevance of ASD for females. The ADOS assessment is a good one to use regardless of gender.
Take it easy now. Yes, the male brain and the female brain is different and I have known that for years. Not everyone believes that. I am sorry for the ignorance of the world and this country. Politics and money controls everything it seems. Don’t be angry and now you are right and it is not fair, but deal with the present and future.
I do agree with what you say about males and females, but lack any expertise in the autism spectrum. But for sure being mis-diagnosed or not diagnosed adds frustration and loneliness to the original problem. Hope you find a good person to talk to.
Peace,
Marian
Peace,
Marian
This reply is for information purposes only and does not constitute treatment.
I can certainly understand your frustration, including with some of the information presented on other portions of the FindATopDoctor website. I scanned some articles and I agree some of the information is outdated and incorrect. I do not review any of the autism content on the site apart from my personal answers to patient questions.
You touch on two points that are at the forefront of thought and research on autism diagnosis right now: 1) is the gender gap in the ratio real, and 2) are symptoms in girls and women somehow different than in boys and men?
Recent research has sought to address the first question. Researchers using more rigorous methods found the gender ratio narrowed with careful diagnosis to 3 boys for every girl. You can read more about the study here: https://spectrumnews.org/news/estimate-autisms-sex-ratio-reaches-new-low/. This awareness is spreading in the autism-directed service community now, but is making a slower journey outside of those to follow autism research closely.
The other question of whether current diagnostic criteria capture the presentation for most girls and women with autism is controversial right now. The ways we understand autism are evolving very quickly in medical and psychological research - faster than most quoted statistics can keep up with. The diagnostic criteria for autism were revised with the recent publication of the DSM-5. I think this has improved the ability to recognize social delays and differences in younger children, including young girls with higher functioning forms of autism. Could clinicians do better? Yes we could. It is often frustrating for us, as well as for the general public, how slowly published diagnostic criteria and ideas about "what is autism" change.
Many professionals who work with people with autism try to keep these factors in mind every day and to educate those around us about these issues. I also encourage people with autism to speak out for themselves to spread the word. There are a number of autism groups that seek self-advocates to do this work, like Autism Speaks and the variety of organizations for people with Asperger's.
I can certainly understand your frustration, including with some of the information presented on other portions of the FindATopDoctor website. I scanned some articles and I agree some of the information is outdated and incorrect. I do not review any of the autism content on the site apart from my personal answers to patient questions.
You touch on two points that are at the forefront of thought and research on autism diagnosis right now: 1) is the gender gap in the ratio real, and 2) are symptoms in girls and women somehow different than in boys and men?
Recent research has sought to address the first question. Researchers using more rigorous methods found the gender ratio narrowed with careful diagnosis to 3 boys for every girl. You can read more about the study here: https://spectrumnews.org/news/estimate-autisms-sex-ratio-reaches-new-low/. This awareness is spreading in the autism-directed service community now, but is making a slower journey outside of those to follow autism research closely.
The other question of whether current diagnostic criteria capture the presentation for most girls and women with autism is controversial right now. The ways we understand autism are evolving very quickly in medical and psychological research - faster than most quoted statistics can keep up with. The diagnostic criteria for autism were revised with the recent publication of the DSM-5. I think this has improved the ability to recognize social delays and differences in younger children, including young girls with higher functioning forms of autism. Could clinicians do better? Yes we could. It is often frustrating for us, as well as for the general public, how slowly published diagnostic criteria and ideas about "what is autism" change.
Many professionals who work with people with autism try to keep these factors in mind every day and to educate those around us about these issues. I also encourage people with autism to speak out for themselves to spread the word. There are a number of autism groups that seek self-advocates to do this work, like Autism Speaks and the variety of organizations for people with Asperger's.
I never thought that autism was mostly men. However, I also don't believe its genetic. I have given consideration to some of the alleged causes such as vaccinations. Maybe that. Maybe its a toxin relatively new to humanity. However, I have had several clients (children) who were neglected in the first year or two of life during a critical period. Sometimes it was a mother who returned to work. Sometimes it was an aloof mother. Sometimes it was a mother who was hospitalized or who had postpartum depression. These mothers kept their secret like they were guarding Ft. Knox, but eventually with enough safety they each revealed their secret to me. So, I also believe autism can be caused by two parents working, which is a new development in our society and in the history of humankind. Autism is appearing at such a rate it would have to be more teratogen than genes, as it appears to be almost epidemic. Further, genetic developments tend to offer improvements not problems. Has autism been under-diagnosed, as some authorities say, and now that it is more recognized we only think it is epidemic. I can say this: In my childhood I didn't know an autistic child. (I'm 72 now.) Now I know a number of people who have children on the spectrum.
