Earlier this week The Guardian ran an article on whether the NHS is failing to diagnose and help women who are on the autistic spectrum. Mina, a young woman with Aspergers Syndrome was mis-diagnosed until the age of 24.
A recently published draft of new guidance, designed to improve the care and support NHS organisations and local authorities give to adults with autism, made no mention of women’s differing needs. The campaigning group Women Autism Matter and National Autisic Society have been vocal in highlighting that the report merely uses the stereotype of male behaviour whereas many women on the autism spectrum learn to mask symptoms by copying behaviour and can end up in abusive relationships.
If you would like to read the whole article, click here. You can also read the more on the National Autistisc Society website
Ruth Williams, Counsellor at The Horsforth Centre offers a specialist counselling service for people who have an autistic spectrum condition.
You can find her on the Who We Are page or click on her name above