Understanding Autism in Girls
Autistic people are all individuals, which means everyone is different. However, it is important to understand that many Autistic women and girls can exhibit different traits from other Autistic individuals.
Compared to Autistic men and boys, Autistic women and girls may appear to have fewer social difficulties, but this might be because they are more inclined to “mask” their Autistic traits (even if the stress of doing so can lead to overload and anxiety). Teachers may not notice differences in Autistic females since they are more likely to be part of a friendship group at school. Additionally, if their academic success conceals challenges they are having in other areas, they can go unnoticed.
This help sheet is designed to explain these difficulties in a way that is quick and easy to understand and offers advice on how to support a young person using our three core concepts: Ask, Accept, and Develop
Is Autism less well recognised in females?
- Despite displaying similar levels of traits, females are less likely to be diagnosed than males.
- Females who do get diagnosed often have other ‘red flags.’
- Autistic females are identified on average later than males.
Why is Autism underdiagnosed in girls?
- Knowledge gap – most research involves mostly/only males with meta-analysis of all brain volume studies find 8x more male than female participants in past studies.
- Autistic male stereotype – Autism tends to be described differently for males. Socially awkward boys may be Autism whereas socially awkward girls may be described as shy or have social anxiety. Similarly, intense interests to toys and lining them up can be seen as rigid/repetitive for boys, but cute for girls.
- Female Autism looks different – social style may be different for some girls as they may present as ‘clingy’. Their special interests may ‘look’ more ordinary, such as horses or dolls and their sensory needs can be perceived as more socially typical.
- Camouflaging – gender role expectations may lead Autistic females to modify their behaviour. 3 main types of camouflaging are: masking, assimilation, and compensation.
Autistic Females and Mental Health
Research suggests that by age 25, 77 out of 100 autistic women, compared to 62 out of 100 autistic men, had received at least one mental health diagnosis. There is an increased risk of eleven different mental health conditions, including:
- Low mood and depression – those with a black and white view of the world can be at higher risk of depression, and their emotions are experienced more intensely.
- Anxiety – 40-50% of Autistic individuals could receive a diagnosis of anxiety. Autistic individuals are more prone to feeling anxiety in stressful situations, have social anxiety, have emotional overloads and have difficulty understanding emotions.
- OCD – Autistic individuals often find intense interests/routines and ritual behaviour soothing and enjoyable. With OCD this ritual behaviour is more intrusive and upsetting.
- Eating disorders – eating for Autistic individuals may be impacted by sensory experiences, control and routine, rule-based eating, expected outcomes, and experiencing less intense emotions.
- Autistic females are also at higher risk of sleep difficulties, psychiatric disorders, and hospitalisation.
Conclusions
- Autism can look different in women and girls compared to men and boys.
- Historically, we have known little about autistic women and girls.
- Statistically there are probably more autistic girls and women than we thought.
- ’Doing well’ by camouflaging/compensating may have a cost to wellbeing.