Studies and statistics. Various studies suggest that the ratio of autistic males to females ranges from 2:1 to 16:1. The most-up-to-date estimate is 3:1. In Leo Kanner's 1943 study of a small group of autistic children, there were four times as many boys as girls.
The research is pointing to the fact that autistic females are not rare. What was thought to be a 4:1 male to female prevalence of autism is now predicted to be more likely 2:1 (male to female).
finding it hard to understand what others are thinking or feeling. getting very anxious about social situations. finding it hard to make friends or preferring to be on your own. seeming blunt, rude or not interested in others without meaning to.
Social factors make it harder to diagnose autism in girls and they may need to have more behavioral issues or cognitive disability than boys in order to be diagnosed. Girls with autism may score the same on indicators of friendship or empathy as boys, but not the same as typically-developing girls.
Differences with social communication (which increases with age) Choosing behaviors that seem to be shy, quiet, or unusually passive. Having symptoms of anxiety or another co-occurring mental health condition. Challenges with controlling emotion.
With autism their play may be repetitive but not raise suspicions if it remains in the realms of gender specific toys and activities. Girls sometimes develop narrow and obsessive interests in collecting insects, stones, leaves or a variety of other random objects or items.
Autism and love can be challenging because your partner may not always be able to read your emotions. Keep in mind that autism involves difficulty with communication, so dating someone with autism means that your partner may not be able to tell from your body language or tone of voice that you are upset.
Research suggests that autism genes are usually inherited from the father, despite some research showing it's passed down from the mother.
A girl with Aspergers who does not mimic others appears shy and socially awkward. Her body language is different from her peers, and she seems oblivious to the body language of others. Her voice may lack inflection, and she may show no happiness at the good fortune of others.
Many people with autism face challenges in their daily lives, but with the right support and resources, they can lead fulfilling and meaningful lives. One of the biggest misconceptions about autism is that people with this disorder cannot lead "normal" lives. However, this is far from the truth.
While there is no universal definition of "high-functioning autism," it remains an important distinction: ASD can otherwise be missed if a person doesn't have overt signs and symptoms, such as difficulty with communication, inappropriate social interactions, and repetitive or obsessive behaviors.
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.
Experts also believed that girls with autism were, on average, more seriously affected—with more severe symptoms, such as intellectual disability. Newer research suggests that both these ideas may be wrong. Many girls may, like Frances, be diagnosed late because autism can have different symptoms in females.
Autism Prevalence
Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls. Most children were still being diagnosed after age 4, though autism can be reliably diagnosed as early as age 2.
Risk Factors
Having a sibling with ASD. Having certain genetic or chromosomal conditions, such as fragile X syndrome or tuberous sclerosis. Experiencing complications at birth. Being born to older parents.
If someone in your family has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), you may be more likely to have a child with ASD. ASD can look very different from person to person, so taking a careful family health history can be important for early diagnosis.
Although 2019 research suggests some symptoms of ADHD and ASD overlap, there are distinct differences. A person with ADHD may have attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity challenges. But an autistic individual may have difficulties with communication, social interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors.
Repetitive behavior, like flapping their hands, is one sign of autism that most doctors recognize. But girls with autism might not have as many repetitive behaviors as boys, or they might be quieter about them. Having an intense interest in something specific is also common in people with autism.
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.
Between us: Autistic girls use plural personal pronouns such as 'they' and 'us' almost twice as often as autistic boys do. During conversations, girls with autism use “we,” “they” and other words related to social groups differently than autistic boys do, according to a new study.