what would you say the textbook definition of autism in girls is? I've been referred to a psychiatrist to be tested for autism, I know about boys and autism but girls and autism isn't something I have much knowledge about
Textbook-wise, Autism characteristics do differ by gender. (Keep in mind this isn’t always the case, male-identifying people can have the same characteristics female-identifying people with an ASD have, and vice-versa. This is just based on what I’ve read.)
Essentially, Autism in women and girls is harder to diagnose and can differ a lot because female-identifying people with ASD’s:
Tend to hide certain symptoms that can be caught more easily (find less obvious ways to stim, copy other people’s expressions, etc.)
Tend to interact socially more often.
Tend to engage more in imaginative play.
Special interests may be broader and more similar to others their age.
The definition of Autism in women and girls is harder to pinpoint and diagnose in many cases, and sometimes a doctor won’t even catch the issue. From what I’ve read, Autism in women tends to have a lot more to do with internalized emotions. If you’re not diagnosed as a child due to speech or behavioral problems, it can be hard to pin down the cause.
Here are the symptoms women with Autism tend to exhibit that can get them a more sure-fire diagnosis according to what I’ve read:
Repeated speech patterns.
Sensory processing difficulties (will hear a quieter sound louder than a different, louder sound, becomes overwhelmed by a smell others do not notice, etc.)
Rocks back and forth and/or jiggles a leg when anxious or having difficulty focusing.
Difficulty handling changes in routine.
Becomes lost more easily, even in a place they have been before.
As you can see, almost all of these are also symptoms of other problems, so a diagnosis can be hard to pin down, especially in women, where the symptoms might be more subdued.
