Girls with autism have a lot to face in life, perhaps even more than boys with the condition.   As many of you already know.  My little girl has autism.  If she and I were in the store beside you, you would quite likely have no idea, she had any issue at all, unless she got excited and flapped her hands and attempted to verbalize, or you asked her a question and she didn’t answer.  She is a very charming child, looks people in the face and frequently smiles.  She is very huggy, and while she doesn’t quite “get” the social dynamics of play, she generally enjoys being in the company of other children. She has shown a preference for the company of other little girls over male children, but rarely seeks out the interactions.

Before my daughter got her autism diagnosis, she was described as having sensory integration disorder.  Since she was so interactive with me, I believed she did not have autism.  I think many parents fall into this trap, especially with little girls, who may not show some of the more well known symptoms of autism as distinctly, as their male counterparts.  Luckily for us we live in a state, which does have good services available for autistic children.

Although, we have been able to get some quality services for our daughter, the fact that girls with autism are the minority among those with the diagnosis, has put her in the position of having mostly male classmates so far.  She attended play groups at the Livingston Center Early Intervention program run by the Groden Center (an excellent provider of services to autistic individuals of all ages), for 7 months.  During that time, she did have another girl in some of her classes, but more often than not girls with autism find themselves swimming in a sea of boys.

Autistic girls are already challenged in grasping social skills, which are far more important in the culture of girls.   Now add the factor that they generally don’t have other little girls, to even practice playing with, and the problem is magnified.

Girls with autism do not share all the same interests, as males with the diagnosis.  Thomas the Train is a common  favorite of autistic boys in my daughter’s age group.  She will watch the show, but could care less about anything associated with it.  She loves Caillou and Yo Gabba Gabba.  She excitedly picked out a Disney Princess Purse last time we went shopping, and carried it through the whole store.  Her preferences in shows and toys, do show a vast difference from the boys.

I feel greater attention should be placed on finding appropriate class placements for girls with autism.  In some cases, I understand there may be little that can be done, but on a state or county wide level efforts could be made to create an environment more beneficial to autistic girls.  On a town by town basis, these girls will more often than not be left as the isolated girl in class.

My daughter’s preschool teacher, also has an afternoon class. Although the children in it are slightly older than my daughter, there are four girls in it.  We will be trying her in this class starting tomorrow.  I truly believe this will be very beneficial for her.  Read the follow-up post Girls with Autism: Finding a Place to Fit In

This post is not in any way endorsed or sponsored by the Groden Center, but if you have a child under 3 years of age with autism and/or significant developmental delays, and live in Rhode Island, I personally recommend their Early Intervention Playgroups (consult your Early Intervention service coordinator).  Myself and every parent I have spoken to who have used their services have been very happy with them.