Autism Roundtable: Why Autism In Girls Gets Missed | Holly Willoughby

The Truth About Autism: Holly Willoughby is joined by three women for an important, empowering and hopeful roundtable discussion about autism. Carrie Grant MBE is a campaigner and mum of four, three of whom are autistic, and was diagnosed herself later in life. Journalist Sarah Tetteh is mum to three autistic boys and has spent years fighting for their education. Dr Becky Quicke is a clinical psychologist and founder of Autistic Girls, who is autistic herself and parent to an autistic child. Together they talk honestly about diagnosis, school, masking, family life and why autism in girls and women is so often missed, as well as the small wins worth celebrating along the way. With professional expertise, lived experience and plenty of warmth, it's a conversation that offers understanding and reassurance to any family on a similar path. Please note: this episode includes discussion of suicide and self-harm. Support links are below. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:57 Meet Carrie, Sarah and Becky 02:14 What is autism? 03:08 The biggest myths about autism 04:10 Three brothers, three different needs 06:24 The problem with "high" and "low functioning" 08:22 "We're not all a little bit autistic" 09:42 Carrie's own diagnosis 10:48 Culture, stigma and telling family 11:45 When even a psychologist isn't listened to 13:44 Why so many women are seeking a diagnosis 16:26 Why do people not believe the diagnosis? 17:33 Race and who gets diagnosed 19:06 Parenting without a rule book 23:31 AD: Voy 24:02 Can you adapt to the world too much? 26:12 The Hollyoaks story 28:57 Who supports the parents? 30:50 Standing out in a family that wants to fit in 34:14 Not a superpower, not a tragedy 34:36 How it affects relationships 38:14 Mental health and Carrie's family's story 42:50 Celebrating the small wins 44:44 Why autism gets missed in girls 52:13 How to find a good assessment 55:19 The fight for the right education 1:02:02 Online school 1:05:54 What we've learned 1:08:18 Hopes for the future If you have been affected by anything in this episode, please see the support links below. Help and Support: Autism assessment and diagnosis (NHS): https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/diagnosis/ National Autistic Society: https://www.autism.org.uk/ Autistic Women and Girls: https://autisticwomen.co.uk/ and https://autisticgirls.co.uk/ National Autistic Society, Autism and Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/what-is-autism/autism-and-bame-people Samaritans (24/7, call 116 123): https://www.samaritans.org/ Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk/ Follow Together: Instagram: https://instagram.com/hollywilloughbytogether TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@hollywilloughbytogether Facebook: https://facebook.com/hollywilloughby Follow Holly: Instagram: https://instagram.com/hollywilloughby TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@hollywilloughbyofficial Follow Carrie: Instagram: https://instagram.com/carriegrantsays Follow Sarah: Instagram: https://instagram.com/showbizmama Follow Becky: Instagram: https://instagram.com/drbeckyquicke Huge thanks to our founding partner Voy for making Together possible. Voy is a trusted digital healthcare brand that's supported over 2 million people on the path to better health, and they'd love to help you too. Take your first step at joinvoy.com/together Business enquiries: brands@hollywilloughbytogether.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices