Sensory hyperreactivity seems to be especially pronounced in autistic females, so much so that many claim sensory issues are the defining feature of their autism. Sensory sensitivities are hardwired in the brain, and therefore cannot be changed.
Some individuals with autism may have heightened sensitivity to certain sensory stimuli, while others may have a diminished sensitivity or a lack of response to certain sensory inputs.
Autistic children are sometimes oversensitive or undersensitive to sensory information. This means their senses take in either too much or too little information from the environment around them. Not all autistic children have sensory sensitivities, but some might have several.
According to the Asperger/Autism network, a female with ASD may: Know that she is different, noticing that her interests veer away from those of her peers. Prefer having only one or two friends, or to play in solitude, having an appreciation of and focus on specific interests.
Does The Father Or Mother Carry The Autism Gene? Autism was always thought to have a maternal inheritance component, however, research suggests that the rarer variants associated with the disorder are usually inherited from the father.
Research suggests there may be some differences in autistic traits between males and females. For example, a 2022 study suggests that autistic females have higher emotional empathy than autistic males. Emotional empathy is the ability to respond appropriately to another person's mental state.
Autistic children and teenagers experience a range of emotions, but they might need support to recognise, understand and manage their emotions. For example, your autistic child might feel all negative or unpleasant emotions as anger. Or they might not recognise when they're excited.
Likewise, a child with autism may not speak, look at other people or play with their peers. Both shy children and those with autism may appear quieter and more reserved than other children, and may find it harder to make friends.
Many autistic people experience hypersensitivity to bright lights or certain light wavelengths (e.g., LED or fluorescent lights). Certain sounds, smells, textures and tastes can also be overwhelming. This can result in sensory avoidance – trying to get away from stimuli that most people can easily tune out.
In children and teenagers with high-functioning autism, this can present as a limited social circle, difficulty completing group work, or problems sharing toys and materials. Many people with ASD have sensory difficulties. Certain tastes, noises, smells, or feelings can be intolerable.
Not All Autistics Are Mathematic Savants, But Many Have Above-Average Math Abilities. It turns out that, despite impressions, most ASD patients may not be any better at math than their counterparts at a particular age or developmental stage.
Every person living with autism is unique; some may struggle with empathy while others may feel completely overwhelmed by other people's feelings, and then there is everyone in between. It seems that autistic expression of empathy may be atypical.
Autistic people often live with the criticism of others as a regular part of their relationships. They often have sensory sensitivities, and though they have done nothing wrong, they may garner criticism from other children, adults, and others for their struggles.
Children on the autism spectrum often keep crying as long as it seems to work for them. When it doesn't, they eventually quit. If they are upset about something, we want them to learn to handle their feelings in more powerful ways.
Although every child with autism is different, here are some common characteristics in girls with autism: A special interest in animals, music, art, and literature. A strong imagination (might escape into the worlds of nature or fiction)
Some believe that autistic people aren't interested in romantic relationships or aren't capable of romantic love. However, this is far from the truth. In fact, autistic people can make wonderful partners.
Some signs of high functioning autism in females include: Difficulty with social communication, such as maintaining eye contact or understanding sarcasm. Strong interests in specific topics, often related to science or technology. Difficulty with transitions or changes in routine.
While some people with autism merely yell or stamp, many really do become overwhelmed by their own emotions. 3 Bolting, hitting, self-abuse, crying, and screaming are all possibilities. These can be particularly frightening—and even dangerous—when the autistic individual is physically large.
Autistic people have a lot to contend with. The difficulties they experience in everyday life – due, for example, to communication and sensory differences - may lead to feelings of frustration and anger.
Autism affects females, too — it just affects them differently. Sometimes symptoms don't show up in the same way they do in boys. In some cases they are more severe; in others, they're less obvious.
There are other brain disorders that mimic autism symptoms, like ADHD and anxiety disorders, including selective mutism. Autism can be misdiagnosed as another disorder with some shared symptoms.
Girls with autism may be harder to diagnose for several reasons, including criteria developed specifically around males and overlapping diagnoses such as obsessive-compulsive disorder or anorexia.