Autism in Girls: Why Signs of Neurodivergence are Overlooked
About one in 36 children in the U.S. is autistic, a diagnosis that is four times more common in boys than in girls.1 What explains this gender gap?Science is working to determine factors that may explain autism’s diagnostic prevalence in males, but many clinicians who specialize in autism in girls and individuals assigned female at birth clearly see that gender bias — in referrals, diagnostic criteria, and tests — plays a role in diagnostic outcomes.Autism is more readily identified in boys than in girls because, historically, the clinical and research focus has been on boys almost exclusively.
Many clinicians who are trained in diagnosing autism are unaware how its traits can uniquely manifest in girls. Failing to realize that girls and women don’t always demonstrate the more stereotypical signs of autism, many clinicians end up overlooking behaviors that are indicative of autism.
This is part of why girls and women are often diagnosed as autistic later in life than boys.Autism is characterized, in part, by difficulties and differences with social communication and interaction.
Some autistic children may have trouble initiating or engaging in social interactions, which can result in them feeling left out or different.
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United States
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Cases: 46 252 513
Deaths: 750 423
Recovered: 0
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India
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Cases: 34 321 025
Deaths: 459 652
Recovered: 0
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Brazil
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Cases: 21 835 785
Deaths: 608 235
Recovered: 0
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United Kingdom
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Cases: 9 215 683
Deaths: 141 607
Recovered: 0
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Russia
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Cases: 8 494 589
Deaths: 237 619
Recovered: 0
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