Special Needs Gender Bias Against Girls

How Autism in Girls often goes undiagnosed

Introduction

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that affects social communication and interaction. Autism is often thought of as a disorder that predominantly affects boys, but in reality, girls are also affected by ASD. However, diagnosing autism in girls can be challenging as their symptoms often present differently than in boys. This article will examine the differences between autism in girls and boys, the challenges in diagnosing autism in girls, and how parents and healthcare professionals can recognize the signs of autism in girls.

Autism in girls vs. boys

Research shows that there is a gender bias in diagnosing autism, which makes diagnosing autism in girls a challenge.

Studies have shown that autism is diagnosed more frequently in boys, with a ratio of 4:1. This disparity is partly due to the fact that autism in boys is more visible than in girls. Boys may display more obvious signs of social difficulties, such as lack of eye contact, difficulty initiating and maintaining conversations, and trouble understanding social cues. However, girls may have less obvious symptoms that are often overlooked, leading to late diagnosis or misdiagnosis.