For professionals supporting neurodivergent girls
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3 ways you can help
Are you a health professional supporting a girl who might be neurodivergent? Even if a diagnosis isn't part of the plan, exploring her needs now could change the path of her life.
1. Understand the harm caused by doing nothing
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70% of autistic 10 to 14 year olds have co-occurring mental health disorders
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Suicide is the second most common cause of death of autistic people, and autistic women without a learning disability are most at risk.
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1 in 5 autistic women with ADHD have attempted suicide
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Unidentified autistic people seem to be at an increased risk of dying by suicide
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Girls are diagnosed as autistic 6 years later than boys
-> Watch our 'Believe Me' film
2. Think neurodivergence in health appointments
It’s often difficult to spot neurodivergence in a short appointment - girls in particular often 'internalise' their autistic traits. You may see girls in a health appointment for things like mental health concerns, sleep, eating, toileting and digestion issues or problems with joints. Sometimes these can be caused by unidentified neurodivergence:
3. Signpost parents to the NeonDaisy families website
The NeonDaisy families website here has info about:
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Getting comfortable talking about neurodiversity
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Helping girls realise that they are enough as they are
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Places girls can go to find their tribe
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Building her self-advocacy skills
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Finding role models online
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Other resources, organisations and family support groups to explore
-> Visit NeonDaisy families site
What next?
-> Read, print and share with other professionals:
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3 ways you can help: printable PDF
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What to look for: neurodivergence in a health appointment: web / PDF
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Our Believe Me film
Content developed with the support of the Specialist Autism Assessment Service from Sirona care & health.
-> Share the NeonDaisy families site here with parents and carers