Still waiting for a diagnosis which was missed as a child

[Alison Jones]

Why is it that boys and men are more likely to get a diagnosis of autism and not girls and women?

 

[Streetwise]

Why is it that boys and men are more likely to get a diagnosis of autism and not girls and women?

Because the indescribable people who diagnose it are still stuck in the mindset that only boys get autism in my opinion

 

[onlything]

Because the indescribable people who diagnose it are still stuck in the mindset that only boys get autism in my opinion

And that kids grow out of it while reaching adulthood.

 

[Voltaic]

From what I hear, it is more common in boys. I have even heard that autism is a hyper masculine way of thinking, but not masculine in the way we normally think of it. I think it was a TED talk if you want to learn more.

Edit: TED not red. (Thanks @tree)

 

[Fridgemagnetman]

And that kids grow out of it while reaching adulthood.

NT says :If you cant see it it doesnt exist.

Something they never grow out of.

 

[tree]

@Voltaic

What is a "red" talk?
Do you mean TED talk?

Here's 11 TED presentations on autism subjects>
The autism spectrum

 

[OkRad]

Also , the psych field was dominated by men. An odd acting man makes them think differently than an odd acting woman.

Women in the past and women now are looked differently than men.

Example: A woman had an ovary exploding in the ER and was left in pain for almost 8 hours as she screamed and writhed. The Dr just felt she was being hysterical. Convsersely, a man was in there for IBS and was also screaming like a baby and he had all the care and attention and overdone..........the lady almost died.

There are many, many of these tales you have probably heard or experienced and I could write down a hundred more.

Same with mental health. A woman with schizophrenia or depression or anything is often just looked over. Women with autism are ROUTINELY called Personality Disordered despite having the same or more symptoms as a man.

Men may despise other men who are weak, but there is a sense of pity. But remember that (most) men see women as sex objects, (or at least potential partners) so one that is all messed up and no longer sexually available is , instinctively, thought of as useless. If they are nice about they may just simplify.....oh how bad can it be. You are just a woman for gods sake!

Look at the news. A good half of these pervs do not even REMEMBER harassing the young women. Those who do , Like CK, say WOW, THAT HURT THEM?? Really??

They don't look at women the same way they look at men.

If you want a Dx , go to a female dr. I was laughed at by a male dr and then dxed by a female!

It's getting to be rough out there about now for females......................

 

[VioletHaze_03]

first off, great profile picture xD. okay, so, the reason many women are not diagnosed is because there was never any diagnostic criteria made specifically for women on the spectrum, diagnostic tools were tested on boys only. Many of these tests also use acedemic criteria as well as behavioural criteria. this is VERY ineffective as a lot of women aren't good at math, and some do not have visual thinking (yep, that's the academic criteria) most behavioural tests do not take the female autist's ability to mask their symptoms into consideration, since men with the condition do not do that. here's an analogy that might help illustrate this: some species of birds have different colorings based on gender. males are often bright, colorful, and easy to spot, while females are plainer, better at blending into their surroundings. imagine if the female colorations of birds were passed off as different species then the males, rather than a different presentation. There are several presentations for disorders such as adhd, with girls appearing much different from boys. it can be quite annoying that this isn't the case for a condition as diverse as ASD.

 

[VioletHaze_03]

They don't look at women the same way they look at men.

If you want a Dx , go to a female dr. I was laughed at by a male dr and then dxed by a female!

It's getting to be rough out there about now for females......................

Sadly, female doctors can misdiagnose as well. i have only ever been to female psychologists, and they all found the same result (minor learning disability, not even close to being on the spectrum.) self diagnosis is a powerful tool, and if you can explain what you know to be true to a medical professional -especially with a ton of research and observations from the field to back your claims- chances are they will believe you, and you can start to receive the help and support you deserve. being a woman is tough some days, but being an autistic woman is a whole other challenge. Getting a correct diagnosis can be almost impossible for some women, the system is a mess.

 

[onlything]

Sadly, female doctors can misdiagnose as well. i have only ever been to female psychologists, and they all found the same result (minor learning disability, not even close to being on the spectrum.) self diagnosis is a powerful tool, and if you can explain what you know to be true to a medical professional -especially with a ton of research and observations from the field to back your claims- chances are they will believe you, and you can start to receive the help and support you deserve. being a woman is tough some days, but being an autistic woman is a whole other challenge. Getting a correct diagnosis can be almost impossible for some women, the system is a mess.

I have to agree about female doctors. They are just as viable to describe ASD as 'fully masculine disorder' as males.

 

[WittyAspie]

Welcome! I love the profile pic and the blue highlights. If I didn’t prefer my hair short I would probably color it blue more often. It’s just too much trouble when I shave the sides down to nothing every 2-3 weeks.

Do you ever scream for fun?

 

[Alison Jones]

Why is it that boys and men are more likely to get a diagnosis of autism and not girls and women?

I have been diagnosed with P.T.S.D today now have to be referred to Dana.