Girls on The Spectrum

Autism in Girls – Understanding and Supporting Neurodivergent Pupils

For many years, autism was widely believed to affect mostly boys, leaving countless girls, women, and non-binary people overlooked, misunderstood, or misdiagnosed.

This insightful and practical CPD session challenges that outdated narrative. You’ll explore the unique ways autism can present in girls, including how traditional stereotypes often lead to missed or late diagnoses. We’ll cover common traits such as masking, internalising behaviours, special interests, and co-occurring conditions—and how these can affect how girls are seen (or not seen) in school.

✅ What you’ll learn:

How autism in girls may differ from traditional presentations

The impact of masking and how it complicates identification

What signs to look out for in school, especially in quieter or compliant pupils

Practical strategies to better support autistic girls and create a more inclusive learning environment

Whether you’re a SENCo, teacher, support staff or SLT, this session will help you feel more confident in recognising and responding to autism in girls with empathy and clarity.