Artist, Rosanna Rosetti created Russian Dolls to represent the emotions and struggles faced by females with autism.

Pink on the Spectrum

Autism in girls, less common or undiagnosed?
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About
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

'Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, refers to a range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication, as well as by unique strengths and differences.' -​Autism Speaks

Research
What are experts saying?

Studies are suggesting that ASD is effecting 1 in 68 children, 1 in 42 boys, and 1 in 189 girls.  Autism is thought to be three times more common in males rather than females. New research suggests the disorder often looks different in females, many of whom are being misdiagnosed and missing out on the support they need.  Previously researchers pointed to genetic differences as the reason for this. More recently, clinicians have also come to realize that many “higher functioning” autistic girls are simply missed because they don't fit the suggested stereotype.

Autistic girls exhibit less repetitive and restricted behavior than boys do. Studies have also found brain differences between autistic boys and girls help explain this discrepancy.  On average, girls who have mild symptoms of autism are diagnosed two years later than boys.  Behavioral and preliminary neuroimaging findings suggest autism manifests differently in girls.  It is suggested that females with autism may be closer to typically developing males in their social abilities than the typical boy with autism.

Happening
Stereotypes are getting in the way of accurate diagnosis of autism in females.  


“The model that we have for a classic autism diagnosis has really turned out to be a male model. That’s not to say that girls don’t ever fit it, but girls tend to have a quieter presentation, with not necessarily as much of the repetitive and restricted behavior, or it shows up in a different way.”
Susan F. Epstein, PhD, a clinical neuropsychologist

The girls who are not being diagnosed or misdiagnosed are missing out on the support and accommodations that they need to be successful.  Many females with autism are giving diagnosis such as attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and even some researchers believe, anorexia.  As scientists study how the disorder works in girls, they are changing their ideas about autism as a whole and differences between males and females.  The way sex manipulates the disorder both biologically and socially affects various aspects of development.  This is the beginning to finding ways to meet the unique needs of girls and women on the spectrum.

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