Do young children (especially girls) with ASD *always* show signs/traits that can lead to diagnosis?

[Running Girl]

The biggest sign from early childhood for me (only in retrospect) was that I didn't like to be touched, and refused affection - hugs, kisses, especially stroking of any kind - from either parent or any other relative. Made my skin crawl. I was also extremely shy. Not developmentally delayed in any way. I was smart and well behaved.

 

[Rectify]

I don't have any answers to your questions, but I wanted to offer support in that my mom reacted basically exactly like yours. Even though she'd said in the past that she thought my dad has autistic traits, she refused to consider it for me or accept my offer for more information. It definitely hurt. I hope you find out what you're looking for.

That's funny rubicks52. My mother mentioned me and autism many times. Then, when I went to be diagnosed she was certain it wasn't aspergers. Because of that I actually haven't told her, and she never asked, how it panned out.

 

[GrownupGirl]

When I was a child no one knew about the so-called "mild" form of autism called Asperger's Syndrome. I was usually a happy child, but I had some strange fears or anxieties, generally preferred playing by myself than with other kids, and had a very difficult time doing any physical activity that wasn't swimming. But because I was an excellent reader and writer and good at drawing, people just saw my unusual behavior as part of my being an "artist".
Autistic girls and women just seem to be better at coping with their problems or their autistic traits aren't as obvious. As a result, clueless NTs think either only boys and be autistic. Many of us females either get misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all. We may as well be non-existent.

If I hadn't finally been diagnosed as an adult, I don't even want to think how my life would have turned out. I know I wouldn't be here right now, typing this on computer.