'I just rolled up my sleeves': Mothers' perspectives on raising girls on the autism spectrum.
Irish mothers prove girls still face late autism diagnosis and mom burnout, yet peer support fuels family resilience.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Fowler et al. (2021) talked to Irish mothers who are raising autistic girls.
The team asked open questions about diagnosis, school, and daily life.
Mothers told long stories in their own words.
What they found
Moms waited years for someone to believe their daughter was autistic.
They saw anxiety, eating issues, and bullying that services rarely caught.
Still, they built tight friend groups and called that support a lifeline.
How this fits with other research
Diemer et al. (2023) asked Australian parents the same thing and heard the same delays.
Together the two papers show girls get missed in many countries, not just one.
Nahar et al. (2022) counted higher depression in moms of autistic kids.
Karen’s moms say the same stress, yet they also show strong coping.
The numbers and the stories match: risk is high, but resilience is real.
Why it matters
If you assess girls, update your intake forms with female autism traits so you spot them sooner.
When you meet parents, ask how mom is doing and hand her a local women-only autism support number.
A five-minute check can shorten her wait and boost her strength.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
Autism in boys has been well researched but very little is known about the everyday experiences of autistic girls or their families. Mothers' views and insights can be very helpful in increasing knowledge around the unique demands of raising a daughter with autism. This study conducted interviews with Irish mothers to examine their own experiences regarding (a) getting an autism diagnosis for their daughter, (b) their daughters' personal characteristics and (c) the impact of caring for a daughter with autism. The study suggests that the route to an autism diagnosis for girls in Ireland is made more difficult by delays and missed diagnoses, and often followed by inadequate supports. Mothers described autistic girls as presenting with social challenges and mental health difficulties. Many mothers experienced judgement from other parents and family members, acute stress and mental health struggles. However, these challenges were offset by mothers' resilience, pride in their daughters and support from other women. The findings of this study highlight the importance of specific support for autistic girls and their families.
Autism : the international journal of research and practice, 2021 · doi:10.1177/1362361320956876