Females with autism, and especially young females, have been underrepresented in research on students with autism. Females with autism are typically diagnosed later than are males, due in part to differences in their presentation and lack of awareness of autism in females. This means that potentially serious mental health disorders originating in preadolescence in females can go unnoticed and untreated. We addressed this gap by examining the school-related wellbeing of females with autism aged 7–14 through an anonymous online survey completed by 38 parents. Seven key themes were identified: social issues, sensory issues, change issues, bullying, lack of understanding of autism, academic issues, and issues related to food or eating. By mapping these issues against aspects of wellbeing identified in the literature, we highlight their negative impacts on social and emotional wellbeing among females as young as 7 years and conclude that greater awareness and understanding of autism among young females is needed.
