Autistic Girls: Understanding the Ones Who Answer Back

Autistic girls often present very differently from boys, and many go unrecognised or misunderstood. They may argue, shut down, take things personally, or seem determined to push adults away. This session explores what’s really happening underneath these behaviours and offers practical strategies for building trust and connection.

Learning outcomes:

• Recognise how autistic girls present differently and why they’re often missed
• Understand masking and what happens when capacity runs out
• See arguing as a safety behaviour rather than defiance
• Use “drop the rope” approaches to de-escalate without winning
• Respond effectively when girls shut down
• Build trust with girls who push you away