TY - JOUR
T1 - Barriers to Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis for Young Women and Girls
T2 - a Systematic Review
AU - Lockwood Estrin, Georgia
AU - Milner, Victoria
AU - Spain, Debbie
AU - Happé, Francesca
AU - Colvert, Emma
PY - 2020/10/29
Y1 - 2020/10/29
N2 - There is increased recognition that women and girls with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are underserved by the clinical criteria and processes required to receive a diagnosis. This mixed-methods systematic review aimed to identify key barriers to obtaining an ASD diagnosis in girls and young women under 21 years. Six themes were identified that focused on perceived gendered symptoms, namely behavioural problems, social and communication abilities, language, relationships, additional diagnoses/difficulties and restricted and repetitive behaviours and interests. Five themes were identified as (parental) perceived barriers to diagnosis, namely compensatory behaviours, parental concerns, others’ perceptions, lack of information/resources and clinician bias. This review highlights the importance of enhancing widespread understanding and recognition of ASD presentation in females across development. PROSPERO Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (ID 2018 CRD42018087235)
AB - There is increased recognition that women and girls with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are underserved by the clinical criteria and processes required to receive a diagnosis. This mixed-methods systematic review aimed to identify key barriers to obtaining an ASD diagnosis in girls and young women under 21 years. Six themes were identified that focused on perceived gendered symptoms, namely behavioural problems, social and communication abilities, language, relationships, additional diagnoses/difficulties and restricted and repetitive behaviours and interests. Five themes were identified as (parental) perceived barriers to diagnosis, namely compensatory behaviours, parental concerns, others’ perceptions, lack of information/resources and clinician bias. This review highlights the importance of enhancing widespread understanding and recognition of ASD presentation in females across development. PROSPERO Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (ID 2018 CRD42018087235)
KW - Autism
KW - Barriers
KW - Diagnosis
KW - Female
KW - Gender differences
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85094652156&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s40489-020-00225-8
DO - 10.1007/s40489-020-00225-8
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:85094652156
SN - 2195-7177
VL - 8
JO - Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
JF - Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
IS - 4
ER -