What is the hubbub that this is a "male disorder?"

[Neonatal RRT]

When I was 5-6 years old, my parents took me to a doctor because they noticed that something about my behaviour was 'off' and they were worried. I isolated myself, had a eating disorder and just didn't do what the other kids did. He told them it was because I was left-handed, I was just weird and that was the end of that. They should probably have gotten a second opinion. 25 years later I was given an ASD diagnosis.

Agree. Always get a second, or third opinion.

The advantage of being in a large hospital system is that you have a care team,...several doctors, nurses, therapists, pharmacists, etc. Everyone has some input, but also, a lot of questions get asked. There's a lot of critical thinking going on. So, even though the lead physician is ultimately responsible, he/she has a team around them questioning their every decision and even guiding him/her through the process.

If you are not in the hospital, but at an office, you and the physician are sort of isolated from that sort of interaction. So, yes, get another opinion.

 

[Forest Cat]

Agree. Always get a second, or third opinion.

The advantage of being in a large hospital system is that you have a care team,...several doctors, nurses, therapists, pharmacists, etc. Everyone has some input, but also, a lot of questions get asked. There's a lot of critical thinking going on. So, even though the lead physician is ultimately responsible, he/she has a team around them questioning their every decision and even guiding him/her through the process.

If you are not in the hospital, but at an office, you and the physician are sort of isolated from that sort of interaction. So, yes, get another opinion.

In the doctors defense, it was the 80s. So maybe it was a little different then. A doctor would probably not do that now.

 

[Ken]

I'm certainly no expert and I know that my experience is miniscule, but throughout my life I have known a few autistic people. The numbers are almost equal between male and female. From my observations, the autistic elements of each is quite obvious - at least to me.

What I have also noticed is that regardless of any "disorders" or even perfectly "normal", more attention is always paid to boys. I think girls are less often diagnosed, not because they are less often autistic, or mask better, but because they are more often overlooked and ignored. Throughout my 70 years, I see parents keep having children until they finally get their cherished boy. When they do, the boy always gets the most attention. I noticed this even when I was a child and always thought it was unfair and illogical and never - to this day - understand why that is the case.