A recent study by The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry suggests that lower intellectual or behavioral challenges in girls is a likely contributor to their lower diagnostic rates than boys displaying autistic-like traits at the same equivalency. It is not clear from the research if the results are indicative of the way girls cope and adapt, or a true gender bias in diagnosis.

The study set out to investigate disparities in gender with respect to diagnosis, and elements that influence the autism spectrum diagnostic criteria in girls as opposed to boys.

I am a neurotypical doctoral student at the University of Windsor. I am doing my dissertation study on sexuality and its social context in the lives of people on the autism spectrum. I am looking for someone on the spectrum who would be interested in acting as an adviser on my study. I will provide an honorarium in appreciation of your time and expertise. 

My study is an investigation of sexuality and romance as it is experienced by people with ASD. I am interested in people's personal accounts. I am also interested in the social and legal context of those accounts. For example, how do laws and service policies impact sexuality? I am approaching this topic from a sexual and disability rights perspective. 

My children are both diagnosed on the autism spectrum. I wrote this to address some of the misconceptions and stereotypes about autism, and to help their voices be heard.

My children want you to know that being of few words does not mean being of little intelligence.

My children want you to know that being socially awkward doesn't mean they cannot be wonderful, kind, loving, and loyal friends.

My children want you to know that they may flap their arms, rock, hum, or spin because they need to, not because they are brats with little self-control who wish to irritate you.

I always feel the need to add a disclaimer when writing about why I chose to homeschool and why I think it is better for my family. I do believe that public school is better for some children/families, and I want to be very, very clear that I do not think less of a parent who chooses to send a child to a brick-and-mortar school. That said...

With the start of the school year approaching, this is the first year since my children were born that I have known exactly what I was going to do and felt completely confident in that decision.

Calling Ohio autistic activists and autism advocates: If you support the fact that autistic individuals should have a voice in policies that directly affect us despite exclusionary language, whether you're part of the community or an ally - please contribute to the Autism Rec. Forums being held throughout the state! Can't make it in person? Share your recommendations online (link provided below)! Solidarity and support are needed to ensure that all individuals not only have a voice and visibility, but also have access to the support, acceptance, and resources needed. No decisions about us, without us!

We are putting together three interest surveys: one each for (1) autistic parents who are parenting autistic daughters, neurotypical parents and caregivers parenting daughters with autism (2) autistic women (3) and the professionals that work with us in order to figure out what the community needs, and where their interests are focused.  

(*) This is the first survey in the series. 

We value your input and appreciate you taking the time to share your opinions and suggestions with us. Please follow the link to take the brief 10 question survey. Thank you! http://bit.ly/IKoO4r

^{Mara Fritts is the mother of four, she is diagnosed AS, and she sits on the AWN Board of Directors.}

I started Homeschooling when our oldest son was 7 years old, after fighting a school system that would not listen to my pleas that there was something different about him. I saw it. Why didn't they? Why did they say that our son was normal when his teacher said there was something different with him? I saw him as being alone and not understanding why he was having issues at school. Why didn't all the children throw gravel at other students when they were frustrated ? 

When our son was 5 years old, he started Kindergarten in a private school. They said that he was too immature, so they put him into the preschool. Our psychologist at the time said our son has Attention Deficit and Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) and that he needed additional observations. We were told the public school would also do testing on him, so we sent him. 

From the beginning, we had issues with getting the school to observe our son. They were supposed to look at him at the beginning of the school year. After several months of not hearing anything and many phone calls, they finally had the Occupational Therapist (OT) and the school psychologist look at him. They said that everything was normal. His homeroom teacher, who was a former resource teacher, disagreed with this. She helped us place him in a behavioral program from the local university. It was the only help she could offer. It was based on rewards, but he wasn't really interested in earning anything. Over that summer, our son went to a private OT to help with the hand weakness and balance issues that his pediatrician diagnosed him with. The balance issues were something else that the school missed.