A Guide to Mental Health Issues in Girls and Young Women on the Autism Spectrum

Download or read book A Guide to Mental Health Issues in Girls and Young Women on the Autism Spectrum written by Judy Eaton and published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. This book was released on 2017-09-21 with total page 240 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book addresses the specific mental health needs of girls and young women with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Looking at the ways autism presents differently in girls than in boys, and the mental health conditions that occur most frequently in girls with ASD, this is the essential guide for clinicians and educators on tailoring interventions and support to meet girls' needs. Describing the current assessment process for autism diagnosis, the book explains why girls are under- or mis-diagnosed, leading to later mental health issues. It outlines the types of intervention that are particularly helpful for working with girls to reduce anxiety, improve social interaction skills, and manage self-harm. The book also covers how to manage eating disorders and feeding difficulties, focusing on working with girls with sensory processing difficulties. There is advice on how to deal with the emotional impact on parents, carers and families, and the challenges they face when negotiating appropriate psychological and educational support.