She's Just Quiet: What Parents Miss When Autism Shows Up Differently in Girls with Dr. Stephanie Pinch

Guest: Dr. Stephanie Pinch — Licensed clinical psychologist and founder of Pinch Psychology in Denver, specializing in autism evaluation, child development, and family relationships; former award-winning teacher.Episode Summary: Dr. Stephanie Pinch joins Dr. Courtney to unpack why autism so often gets missed in girls and women from the diagnostic criteria itself to the exhausting, invisible work of masking. They talk through the subtle early signs parents can watch for, why so many women aren't diagnosed until adulthood, and how to help a child (or yourself) start to unmask safely.What You'll Learn:Why the current autism diagnostic criteria were originally built around boys, and how that skews who gets diagnosedWhat masking actually looks like day to day, and why it's so exhaustingWhy girls are more likely to mask than boysThe subtle early signs of autism in girls (toe walking, restricted interests that look "socially acceptable," scripted conversation, eye contact without communicative intent)Why 80% of autistic girls go undiagnosed by age 18How undiagnosed autism can show up first as anxiety or depressionWhat to ask for during a neuropsych evaluation, and how to advocate for your childWhy a diagnosis can bring both grief and relief — and why that's normalThe "spoon theory" and how to help kids track their own energy and avoid burnout Resources & Links:Learn more about Dr. Stephanie Pinch and Pinch PsychologyBook a consult call with Integrated Behavioral Health: Schedule hereIntegrated Behavioral Health website: integratedbhs.comSign up for the IBH newsletter: Subscribe here Legal Disclaimer: While this podcast may provide information that is educational in nature, it is not intended to be a health care service, psychotherapy, or the practice of psychology. This podcast’s main purpose is to provide educational insights for all stages of child and family development. We will not provide diagnoses or specific recommendations for your family. At no point is a therapeutic relationship established by way of your unilateral participation by listening to these episodes, and we cannot provide advice or privileges associated with a therapeutic relationship. We recommend that anyone who is seeking a therapeutic relationship reach out to Integrated Behavioral Health at info@integratedbhs.com to begin the interview process of becoming a client or receiving a referral. If at any point in your listening or engaging with the content of this podcast, you experience an emergency, please immediately call 911 or go to your local emergency room.