Description

In this episode, Dr. Jane Gilmour and Professor Umar Toseeb unravel the complexities of autism diagnosis, shining a spotlight on the often-overlooked gender differences and the unique mental health challenges faced by autistic youth. With autism identification rates on the rise and growing recognition of co-occurring conditions, the discussion explores why so many autistic children and young people-especially girls-are missed, misdiagnosed, or misunderstood. Dr. Miriam Martini joins to share her research on how psychiatric diagnoses often precede autism identification, revealing the critical need for earlier recognition and tailored support. Together, they delve into why autistic girls are frequently diagnosed later than boys, how anxiety and the pressure to fit in can mask autistic traits, and how diagnostic overshadowing can leave mental health needs unmet. Tune in for a nuanced look at why understanding the interplay between gender, co-occurring conditions, and mental health is essential-not just for accurate diagnosis, but for ensuring every autistic young person receives the support they deserve.

Learning Objectives

1. The prevalence of mental health difficulties in autistic young people and the increase of autism identification over the years.

2. Co-occurring conditions and the social model of disability.

3. Gender differences, diagnostic overshadowing, and the impact of delayed diagnosis.

4. The diagnostic pipeline of autism and the need for early screening to improve outcomes.

Paper Link

https://acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jcpp.14130