Introduction
Have we ever imagined this – whenever we think about Autism, we often consider a boy with certain symptoms like social difficulties, But did we know that autism can look different in girls?
But the fact is, many girls with autism went unnoticed or are diagnosed so much later than boys because their traits are different.
So in this blog, we will understand how autism manifests in girls, why it’s harder to diagnose, and why learning these differences is important to support girls on the spectrum.
Traits of Autism in Girls
In girls, ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) presents differently as compared with boys, which can lead to challenges in early detection.
Here are some key signs indicators to watch for girls :
What are the main differences in symptoms of autism in girls and boys?
| Traits | Symptoms In Girls | Symptoms In Boys |
|---|---|---|
| Social Interaction | They try to fit in the group | Prefer to play alone |
| Camouflaging | May mask just to fit in society | Likely to mask signs |
| Communication | Advanced language capabilities but problem in functional language | Delayed or unusual speech patterns |
| Interest | Aim to socially acceptable subjects but with the same level of intensity | May show deep interest in specific topics |
| Behaviour | Repetitive behaviour | Over repetitive behaviour |
| Sensory Imbalance | Over or under sensitivity to light, sound or smell | Clear sensitivity to sounds and light |
| Emotional Struggle | More likely to experience anxiety or depression | May experience meltdowns |
| Diagnosis | Masking leads to late diagnosis or misdiagnosis | They diagnosed due to overt symptoms |
| Co-occurring Situation | Anxiety and Depression | ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) |
Why are girls with autism often undiagnosed?
Autistic girls often go undiagnosed because of a combination of social, systemic and biological factors.
Here are the reasons why:
Stereotypical criteria of diagnosis – Historically criteria for diagnosis of autism were based on observations of boys, leading to male centric conditions. And this result, girls whose symptoms are different, are often missed.
Masking Behaviour – Many girls with autism develop masking their symptoms, which means they try to hide or just fit in society, and this makes it harder to diagnose.
Gender Biases in Diagnosis – There is prevalent bias that comes with male autism behaviours, such as deep interest in specific subjects. Girls have less stereotypical behaviours, which result in their signs being unnoticed.
Lack of Research – Traditionally most of the research on autism was focused on males, leaving a huge gap in understanding symptoms of autism in females.
Let’s take an example to make it more clear, a young girl who excels academically but is facing difficulties with social interactions and suffering anxiety. People might think her anxiety is the main problem without considering that she could also have autism. Without a full picture of symptoms, she might not get the support she needs.
So it is important to identify these symptoms so that autistic girls can also get the accurate diagnosis and support at the right time.
What are the differences in diagnosing autism in boys and girls?
Imagine this – a young girl who loves spending time with a few close friends but hesitates with small talk and understanding jokes. She may come across as introverted, and people think this is her personality.
Importantly, her struggles could be a sign of autism, which might not be recognized because they are unable to fit in the typical pattern.
If her traits are not observed, she may not receive the necessary support. So early diagnosis can help her to get support socially and emotionally.
ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) develops differently in boys and girls, which can affect the process of diagnosis.
What are the methods for testing a girl for Autism?
Methods of diagnosing autism in girls involve a comprehensive evaluation process. However, core diagnostic tools remain the same for both the genders, so it is essential to adapt the approach to address gender specific presentations.
Let’s start with:
- Medical History – The evaluation test starts with gathering a detail about medical history which includes childhood development, and other medical issues. And for females it is crucial to observe subtle signs that may have been unnoticed.
2. Screening techniques – This includes:
3. Comprehensive Diagnosis – Includes:
Summing Up..
“Every thoughts is an experiment” This was mine —
Written by Prachi – May,2025
Curious about understanding your special mind? Follow Rachna Sawhney Pargi Journey for Autistic Child Support
Reference
- Cook, Julia, Laura Hull, and Will Mandy. 2024. “Improving Diagnostic Procedures in Autism for Girls and Women: A Narrative Review.” Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment Volume 20 (March): 505–14. https://doi.org/10.2147/ndt.s372723.
- Digitale, Erin. 2022. “Study Finds Differences between Brains of Girls, Boys with Autism.” News Center. 2022.[Stanford Medicine] .
- Giarelli, Ellen, Lisa D. Wiggins, Catherine E. Rice, Susan E. Levy, Russell S. Kirby, Jennifer Pinto-Martin, and David Mandell. 2010. “Sex Differences in the Evaluation and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders among Children.” Disability and Health Journal 3 (2): 107–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2009.07.001.
- Evans, Spencer C., Andrea D. Boan, Catherine Bradley, and Laura A. Carpenter. 2018. “Sex/Gender Differences in Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder: Implications for Evidence-Based Assessment.” Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology 48 (6): 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2018.1437734.
- OxfordCBT. 2024. “Autism Test for Teenage Girl | Oxford CBT.” Oxford CBT. September 24, 2024. https://www.oxfordcbt.co.uk/autism-test-for-teenage-girl/.
