Autistic women and girls

Did you know that 50% of autistic girls remain undiagnosed by the age of 18?

Did you know that girls who present with joint pains and dislocations, digestive problems and / or dysautonomic symptoms may actually be autistic?

It has been evident over the last few years that autism presents differently in women and girls than in men and boys. However it takes many years for new knowledge to become practice. Medical professionals who do not have an interest in neurodiversity may not be up to date with the advances in knowledge. Some organisations and individuals are helping to spread this knowledge.

Autistic Girls Network

Cathy Wassell

Autism, girls and keeping it all inside White paper https://autisticgirlsnetwork.org/downloads/

See interview 27/7/23 with best-selling author Holly Smale https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xG0LmD7iA2c

who has also been interviewed by Amy Richards on the Squarepeg podcast episode 44, August 2021

Link between joint pain and dislocations, chronic fatigue, digestive difficulties, dysautonomic symptoms (POTS) and eventual diagnosis of Ehlers Danlos syndrome, and neurodiversity

https://autisticgirlsnetwork.org/backward-steps-the-link-between-autism-and-eds/

So exciting to learn more about this connection between rheumatology and neurodiversity! Links to Dr Jessica Eccles’ work on link between hypermobility, joint pain, chronic fatigue and neurodiversity

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/looking-forwards-formulating-the-next-steps-in-pain-and-fatigue-research-tickets-686500189547

Question: if there is a link between ADHD and hypermobility, is there a link between ADHD and ACL injuries which are much more common in hypermobile girls? See recent article about the association between joint hypermobility and re-injury within 12 months of the injury. Hint: remember to do a Beighton scale!

https://lnkd.in/eCMg4WZX

(note I do not get paid to promote these links)