ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the mental health disorders and a risk experienced by girls and young women with autism spectrum disorder, and discusses an intervention specifically designed to support them in managing both internal and external pressures and stressors. If autism in girls remains undiagnosed, they are at high risk of developing mental health difficulties such as anxiety, depression, self-harm and eating disorders. Mental health affects all aspects of a child’s development including their cognitive abilities, their social skills as well as their emotional well-being. Ensuring that girls and young women on the continuum are effectively screened for risk factors would seem to be an essential given the fact that there is a direct link between their condition and mental health needs and difficulties. Voluntary, community sectors or local authority services may be most appropriate to work alongside schools with providing support to young people around their emotional and mental health.
