It was once widely believed that autism primarily affected men and boys, with women and girls rarely diagnosed. However, this is inaccurate - many women, girls, and non-binary individuals are on the autism spectrum.

Although understanding of autism in women and girls has improved, outdated stereotypes and misconceptions continue to shape society’s perception.  Aspire at Romsey Mill delivers youth clubs and support, in Cambridge city, South Cambridgeshire and Peterborough city, for around 200 autistic children and young people, over 80 of whom are girls and non-binary young people.

Daisy Fairchild, Aspire Youth Development Worker (pictured below), shares a story about the resilience of one young person in Aspire. 

(*note - the names of the young people have been changed, and they do not feature in the photographs shown)

Daisy says:

"Karly* began attending an Aspire youth club with us at the start of year 5 – the youngest age that an autistic child can join our Aspire work. 

It just so happened that she joined the club on the same day as Annie*.  Both girls were experiencing difficulties with school, emotional regulation, and creating and sustaining friendships. 

The two of them became friends at that first session and, with support from the Aspire team and volunteers, began to talk openly with one another about the difficulties they were facing, especially with school. 

Often these conversations were held over art or craft activities, a key part of the youth club which Karly loves. 

Both the girls told our Aspire youth workers that they had found a friend for the first time." 

Karly displayed some challenging behaviour at times during the youth club, especially after she’d had a particularly difficult day at school. 

The Aspire team worked carefully with Karly and her parents to help find the right strategies to support her during youth club.  Over time she began to respond to the support and was able to regulate her emotional and behavioural responses.  

Key to this was the approach of the Aspire youth workers, who persevered to find the right way forward and worked hard to maintain a youth club that felt supportive and safe for everyone.  For Karly - who so often in the past had tried and failed at various clubs and activities – this allowed her to increase in confidence and see that she hadn’t messed things up for herself when things were difficult. 

“The club helps me make friends and I can be myself there.”

Daisy says:

"Sadly, Karly’s friend Annie moved away from the area and had to stop attending the youth club.  This was a blow for Karly but with ongoing support from Aspire, she continued to attend and enjoy the youth club activities. 

She has now begun to form friendships with other youth club members and just last week proudly said to a member of the Aspire team, “I have made a new friend”.  On top of this she keeps in touch with Annie and both sets of parents are helping to arrange for them to meet up soon. Karly is much more capable and confident to make and maintain friendships.  She told us, “The club helps me make friends and I can be myself there.” 

School had been difficult for Karly previously, but things at school have now improved and the right support seems to be in place. She often appears at youth club with a smile on her face keen to tell people about the positive day she has had. This is worlds apart from where she was two years ago."

*Names have been changed; girls not pictured