Neuroscientist Gina Rippon has highlighted a concerning trend: autism in girls and women is significantly underdiagnosed. This is due to autistic traits often being masked or misinterpreted, leading to delayed or missed diagnoses and unnecessary suffering.

Reasons for Underdiagnosis

• Historical Bias: Autism research has traditionally focused on male presentations, resulting in diagnostic criteria and research models that don’t adequately capture the female autistic experience.
• Camouflaging: Autistic girls and women often learn to mask or camouflage their autistic traits to conform to societal expectations, making their autism harder to identify.
• Misdiagnosis: Autistic girls and women are frequently misdiagnosed with conditions like anxiety, depression, or personality disorders.
• Lack of Support: Without a proper diagnosis, autistic girls and women miss out on essential support, interventions, and understanding.

Signs of Autism in Girls and Women

• Social Skills: While some autistic individuals may struggle with social interaction, autistic girls and women can be particularly adept at masking these difficulties.
• Emotional Regulation: Look for difficulties with emotional regulation, intense emotions, or emotional dysregulation, which can be mistaken for anxiety or mood disorders.
• Sensory Sensitivities: Pay attention to heightened or reduced responses to sensory input like sounds, lights, textures, or tastes.
• Repetitive Behaviors: Some autistic individuals exhibit repetitive behaviors or interests, but these may be subtle or specific in girls and women.
• Difficulty with Social Communication: Look for difficulties understanding social cues, engaging in conversations, or expressing emotions.
• Academic Struggles: Some autistic girls and women may experience academic challenges, particularly in areas requiring social skills or abstract thinking, which can be misinterpreted as learning difficulties.
• Camouflaging: Be mindful of camouflaging behaviors, such as mimicking social behaviors or hiding autistic traits to fit in.
• History of Misdiagnosis: If a girl or woman has a history of being misdiagnosed with anxiety, depression, or personality disorders, consider the possibility of autism.

Moving Forward

• Increased Awareness: Raising awareness about autism in girls and women and recognizing the diverse spectrum of autistic experiences is essential.
• Improved Diagnostic Tools: Developing diagnostic tools that are more sensitive to the female autistic experience is crucial.
• More Research: Conducting more research on autism in girls and women to better understand their unique experiences and needs is vital.
• Early Intervention: Providing early intervention and support for autistic girls and women is key to helping them thrive.