What is different between autistic boys and girls.

 Here is a well-researched, evidence-based treatise on the differences between autistic boys and girls set for an autism awareness blog-a very pertinent topic in the pursuit of reducing gender bias in diagnosis and support.




Understanding the Key Differences of Autism in Boys vs. Girls.


Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) tends to be interpreted as a "male" condition simply because it is about four times more likely to be diagnosed in boys than in girls. Nevertheless, recent findings indicate that **autistic girls are very commonly either underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed** because their symptoms may manifest differently. Here are the facts need knowing:  


---

1. Different Diagnostic Types

**Boys**: which means they are likely diagnosed earlier than girls (at around 3-4 years) because they fit into the "classic" autism types (i.e., repetitive interests and strong interests in instrumentation, such as trains or math).  

 **Girls**: However, usually diagnosed later (teenage years or adulthood), or entirely missed. They may “mask” (camouflage) their traits up in order to fit in, mimicking the other people or hiding the feeling of social confusion.  




2. Behavioral Differences

Studies point to trends that some have common to each autistic child, though they all bring their distinctive characteristics:  


| **Area**               | **Autistic Boys**                  | **Autistic Girls**                  |  

|-------------------------|------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|  

| **Social Interaction**  | May openly avoid social situations. | Observe and may imitate peers to “blend in” (exhausting but less apparent). |  

| **Special Interests**   | Object, facts, or systems: dinosaurs, maps. | Interests might be similar to a neurotypical peer (animals, pop stars, art) but pursued hard core. |  

| **Repetitive Behaviors**| Append obvious stimming (hand-flapping, rocking). | More subtle stims (swinging head, skin-picking) or internalized habits. |  

| **Communication**       | May have delayed speech or glib tone. | Prone to developing advanced vocabulary (in some quarters called "little professors") but struggle pragmatics (eg sarcasm, small talk) as they stumble through the pages of grammatical rules. 




3. Reasons Girls Get Missed Over

Masking/Camouflaging: Mimicking social script, mimicking facial expressions, or suppressing stimming behavior is likely to take place for girls for them not to be conspicuous. This leads to exhaustion and stress or burnout.  

Misdiagnosed: In many cases, the behaviors were confused with that of shyness, anxiety, or "quirkiness." Instead, girls were often labeled "too sensitive" or "daydreamers."  

Research Bias: Historically, research on autism focused on boys. As a result, the diagnostic criteria continued to skew male; those for girls' traits were less likely to match old, outdated checklists.  




4. Unique Challenges of Autistic Girls 

Intense social responsibilities: Society is expected to be so social, empathetic, and compliant by females, so the pull and pressures are intense, and anxiety worsens over these variables.  

Higher Rates of poor mental health: Undiagnosed girls are at significantly increased risk of depression and eating disabilities, as well as poor prognosis for self-harm, because they have to keep their behavior concealed and feel "other."  

Sensory sensitivities: may include more sensory attributes such as textures (e.g., c ...

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