Teen Daughters with Autism

Hi K.,
I have a 12 yo daughter with Asperger's. She reminds me every day that she'll be a teen in 4 months, lol. If I can help at all, I'd be glad to. It's so hard to find people who understand the female aspect of autism. I have a son with autism, and the 2 are like night and day!

B.

Are there any social skills groups for HFA teens in your area? At that age they might even be dividing them by gender and you might have the chance to meet other parents. Are there parent support groups run by local wrap-around agencies or ABOARD or another advisory council? I found a listing of some of these groups on the aboard.org website. http://aboard.web.officelive.com/Documents/ABOARD_SUPPORT...
I have a little boy on the spectrum and have met a lot of other parents (usually of other little boys) while waiting for him at his OT and speech sessions. So far only one pre-teen girl has turned up here. I'm sure I saw the parents reading a book specific to teen Asperger's girls. I think there are a couple such books out there. Best of luck!

Sorry I can't help with your current issues, I have an almost 5 yo daughter who was diagnosed first with high functioning autism, and now changed to aspergers. I know we will face some unique challenges as she gets older and it has been hard to get her help even now as girls present so different from boys. It took her TSS to go to a workshop specifically on the differences between girls and boys with autism to really help my daughter, before that she kept saying she was just a behavior problem and questioned the diagnosis. It was very frustrating. After her training, she came back and had all these techniques that worked with my daughter, but there really is very little info out there on girls diagnosed on the spectrum. Almost everything including treatments is based on boys with autism. Anyway, sorry I can't help, but I know I will be in your shoes someday. I hope you can find some other parents with girls around the age of your daughter. Good luck, and blessings!

Hi K., My step daughter will be 14 on Thursday and she is high functioning MIMR and autistic. My email is ____@____.com if you would like to be in touch!

Our daughter is recently DX as having Aspergers. Prior to that Inattentive ADD. Focalin has helped her inattention as well an intesive program through LearningRX a growing support company for kids with math and reading difficulties focused on the brain and written and verbal studies and tests. That helped a good amount too. And you are Right. Where are they the Girls with Aspergers. I "read" that about 40% of cases of Aspergers would be girls so many many are being missed, under the table, under the blanket.... It is shocking that Professionals are not quick to study, accept and learn to help girls with Aspergers! I just went to a small meeting where John Menges originally from the U.K. has set up fun groups for after school skills practice. Most of his kids in the group as you can guess are Boys.
He said he is lucky if he could get 3 girls in the group. He has had one girl in the group who took advantage of the situation, Dressing up to get noticed etc. He did say if there were 3 they could have girl talk time and practice to live amongst girls and women who love to do that. What I have also read another girl not neurotypcial may take a girl with Aspergers on like a mother and child to try to help them cope and grow. That is a good thing if and when that happens! Some of these girls will go on to be Engineers, Scientists, etc. As they area high-functioning and work harder at things.

I sure would like to have such a meeting/group in our area. Our child is 10 years old, now. Just a side note see if you have not the Temple Grandin movie!