Autism in girls often presents as deficits in social skills and communication. Girls with autism may also have repetitive behaviors, but they tend to be better at boys than hiding them and fitting in with peers. Girls may be hyper-focused on a specific topic and not participate in school to their potential.
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.
Children with ASD may have difficulty developing language skills and understanding what others say to them. They also often have difficulty communicating nonverbally, such as through hand gestures, eye contact, and facial expressions.
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.
Studies have found that autistic girls exhibit less repetitive behavior than the boys do, and as the 2014 findings from Frazier and his colleagues suggest, girls with autism frequently do not have the same kinds of interests as stereotypical autistic boys.
Girls with autism tend to have more mutations than boys with the condition. And boys with autism seem to inherit their mutations from unaffected mothers more often than from unaffected fathers. Together, these results suggest that girls need a bigger genetic hit than boys to have autism.
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.
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.
Even though it is not part of the autism diagnostic criteria, many autistic people experience high levels of anxiety. Research varies but the consensus suggests that it might be common for around 40-50% of autistic people to receive a clinical diagnosis of anxiety.
For autistic people, navigating intimate relationships and dating can present its own unique challenges. As a non-autistic person, it might be difficult to support your autistic partner. They may communicate in a different way to you, or find it hard to express their needs and desires.
Sensory Issues
Many people with autism experience sensory processing disorder. This is more commonly known as sensory overload. Noise, crowds, bright lights, strong tastes, smells, and being touched can feel unbearable to someone with HFA. This makes going to restaurants, movies, and shopping malls difficult.
A child with ASD can be challenging—they may be restless; have trouble sleeping, eating or speaking; experience seizures; or have meltdowns born of frustration or overstimulation. Expectations for a “normal” life may need to be adjusted.
The high rate—and high cost—of challenging behaviors
Aggression, destructiveness, and self-injury are common among children with ASD, with the Autism Research Institute's E-2 database of more than 2,300 cases indicating that 59% of those with ASD engage in one or more of these behaviors.
Although the exact cause of autism is still unknown, there is evidence to suggest that genetics play a significant role. Since autism is less prevalent in females, autism was always thought to be passed down from the mother. However, research suggests that autism genes are usually inherited from the father.
In fact, the generally accepted view is that there is no one specific cause of ASD. Rather, there's a combination of factors that can increase a child's risk. Genetics and environment are two factors considered to affect the likelihood of a child developing ASD.
Provide opportunities for girls to be themselves - allow time for them to follow their interests and sit with people they feel most comfortable with. Support them to understand what makes them feel anxious and why. Identify and help them with strategies to offset anxiety, helping them to recharge.
Blues clues: Young autistic girls tend to have behaviors that resemble depression, such as crying excessively. Autistic children who have behavioral problems tend to have an enlarged right amygdala, a brain region that helps process emotions and detect threats.
Girls and boys with ASD are equally likely to be aggressive. Furthermore, lower parental education, lower IQ and lower language or communication ability are associated with the risk of aggressive behavior in typical children but were not in this group of children with ASD.
Meltdowns are similar to the fight response. When an autistic person is having a meltdown they often have increased levels of anxiety and distress which are often interpreted as frustration, a 'tantrum' or an aggressive panic attack.
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.
Signs of High-Functioning Autism in Children
Delayed speech. Fear of social situations. May appear more mature for their age and have above-average intelligence. A tendency to avoid eye contact.
Every autistic person is different, but sensory differences, changes in routine, anxiety, and communication difficulties are common triggers.