[anotherevan]

> Additionally, girls tend to be not be recognized as autist as early as boys. They are much better at masking.

My son and daughter are both autistic and I could go on a complete rant about the patriarchal experiences I've had with regards to the medical profession and women. My son got an autism diagnosis at eight just for being "a little bit odd". After may daughter barely left the house for two years from age fifteen she was first declared "borderline". Women are naturally more anxious than men, you see. Took another 1.5 years and a neuropsychologist to say that yes, she is autistic.

I was fortunate enough to be able to switch my work to part-time fully work from home so I could take her to various medical appointments (she has a lot of issues that are often co-morbid). Too many times this was necessary, not only for emotional support, but to be someone in the room who has a penis to advocate on her behalf.