Women’s Health Week 2024: Unrecognised Autism

In order for a person to be confirmed as autistic (by a medical professional, opposed to self-identifying alone) they need to meet certain criteria as outlined in the DSM-V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Illnesses). While some paediatricians might offer a “diagnosis” of autism without using formal tests, they will usually still be using the DSM-V criteria as their benchmark. Unfortunately, the DSM-V definition is of a very narrow field of traits and presentations…