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Why are so Many Autistic Girls Missed in School?

Spot the quiet, anxious girl who seems fine at school but may be autistic, and start supporting her without waiting for a diagnosis.

  • 25 minutes
  • 6 modules
  • 0.5 CPD hours
  • Certificate

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What you'll learn

  • Recognise how masking and good behaviour can hide autism in girls
  • Notice the signs, from anxiety and school avoidance to 'fine at school, not at home'
  • Support a girl 'as if' autistic while a diagnosis is pending
  • Help her make sense of feelings and friendships that don't come naturally
  • Talk about autism with her as a strength, and find her role models

About this course

She's bright, well behaved and desperate not to get anything wrong. She causes no trouble in class, then falls apart the moment she gets home. Girls like her are easy to miss, because most of what we've learned to look for in autism came from boys.

Once you know what to look for, you start to see it in anxiety, shyness, masking, friendships that don't quite work, and a gap between the girl at school and the one her parents describe. You'll also learn to support her 'as if' she's autistic while you wait, since the wait for an assessment can be long and the support does no harm either way. Help with naming feelings, a calm space and small breaks through the day all make a difference.

The presenter was diagnosed autistic herself in her thirties, and often wonders what an earlier answer would have changed.

  • For early career teachers, governors and 6 other roles. All phases.

6 modules

Open in order

  1. Introduction

    2 min

  2. Wrap up & resources

    2 min

  3. Autistic girls can be hard to spot

    6 min

  4. Signs to look out for

    8 min

  5. Practical strategies for supporting

    8 min

  6. Taking a strengths-based approach

    2 min