As parents, we often worry about our child’s development whether it be emotional, behavioral, social, or academic. This is a normal part of parenting. Trusting your gut is also an important part of parenting, as well as seeking help or reassurance from trusted health professionals.
This brings to mind many families that have come to our office over the years with concerns about their daughters. Concerns that have been brushed aside for years. This is especially true for autism in girls. Autism frequently presents differently in boys than in girls. For example, girls are more likely to control their behaviors in public, such as when in class. They are more socially motivated and tend to have better nonverbal communication, such as smiling and making eye contact.
They ‘look like’ they are social. They play and interact with peers. However, they also often struggle to maintain friendships, especially as they reach middle and high school. They often struggle to understand or process what is going on in social settings, and will cope by learning to imitate what they see. They are often more socially naïve and at risk for bullying as they miss or misread their peers’ subtle social cues. They have sensory processing issues, making them feel overwhelmed although they may not show it outside of the home. They also display areas of hyperfocused interest on topics that are not considered unusual, such as unicorns or anime.
They feel high levels of stress and even distress when faced with changes, transitions, or new people or social situations. Often these concerns are brushed aside and parents are told that their daughter is likely ‘shy’ or ‘lacks confidence’. When girls struggle with undiagnosed autism, they are more likely to struggle with depression and anxiety, as well as poor self-esteem. There is also a cost when girls with autism are overlooked, as they miss out on early intervention and skill building.
If you have concerns about your daughter’s development, don’t hesitate to reach out to your pediatrician as a first step. But don’t stop there. Reach out to other professionals. Consider getting an evaluation to further examine symptoms and concerns. You will find this process to be helpful and empowering for your daughter, but also for you as a parent. Trust your gut!
Contact our office for more information about our autism evaluations at 248.644.9466. We are here to help!
