Females are also more likely than males to be diagnosed at a later age.
Theres no known single cause of autism.
extreme prematurity, oxygen deprivation at birth, and certainmaternal health issues) all seem to play a role.
Iryna Vladymyrova/Getty Images
As for a possible link betweenvaccinesand autism?
Much research has ruled out the idea that something in a vaccine could cause autism, says Dr. McPartland.
(Including any shots containing a mercury-based ingredient, according to theNational Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.)
There have been strong epidemiological studies that indicate thats not the case."
(Its a topic that comes up a lot onReddit.)
This could ultimately influence whether a young girl fits the diagnosis based on standard screenings for the disorder.
They also werent really looking for girls.
Typically boys are more commonly affected by almost all neurodevelopmental disorders, Dr. Lord says.
People just had this preconception that it didnt happen in girls.
We really teach girls from a young age to mask behavior that isnt as appropriate.
For one, many adult women with autism rely on sameness and routine for safety.
We can experience what feels like irrational irritability when plans change, she says.
I might suppress that or if it shows up, it might be called rigid or rude.
It takes a lot of effort and feels very performative.
Without a diagnosis, she says these differences can feel like character-based labels.
Until we have the right lens to see ourselves, its really hard to shed a lot of those.
These barriers contribute to health disparities, including inadequate care and untreatedhealth conditions.
All of these things are designed to be inalignment with the DSM-V. Dr. Ross says she supplements autism screenings with her own clinical experience and the experiences of autistic women.
Its only with experience and time that Im better [at diagnosing girls], she says.
Dr. McPartland also suggests turning to an autism research center for a diagnosis.
For me, getting a diagnosis of autism is what finally unlocked self-compassion.
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