Autism Signs in Girls and Women
Autism in girls and women is more likely to be missed. A 2017 meta-analysis found a diagnostic gender bias, with girls who meet criteria at risk of not being diagnosed, and studies find autistic girls and women camouflage their traits more on average than autistic boys and men.
Research suggests autism in girls and women is underdiagnosed, with a diagnostic gender bias and, on average, more camouflaging of autistic traits. The experiences described here are commonly reported, but they are not a diagnosis. Only a qualified professional can determine whether someone is autistic.
Common presentations in autistic girls and women include: strong ability to mask and mirror social behavior (camouflaging); intense special interests that may appear more socially acceptable (celebrities, animals, books, relationships); difficulty that appears in social situations but is not visible in academic performance; exhaustion and burnout after social interaction; sensory sensitivities that may be attributed to anxiety or sensory processing disorder without an autism connection; and a history of being described as "too sensitive," "intense," or "socially awkward" without a clear explanation.
Some autistic women are not diagnosed until adulthood, sometimes after a child's diagnosis or a period of burnout. Greater camouflaging may delay recognition, and in autistic adults of all genders, camouflaging has been linked with more symptoms of anxiety and depression.
This page is for informational purposes only. These traits do not confirm autism. A licensed professional must make any diagnosis.
Sources
- Loomes, Hull and Mandy (2017), What Is the Male-to-Female Ratio in Autism Spectrum Disorder? J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry
- Wood-Downie et al. (2021), Sex/Gender Differences in Camouflaging in Children and Adolescents with Autism, J Autism Dev Disord
- Hull et al. (2020), Gender differences in self-reported camouflaging in autistic and non-autistic adults, Autism
- Hull et al. (2021), Is social camouflaging associated with anxiety and depression in autistic adults? Molecular Autism
- Raymaker et al. (2020), Defining Autistic Burnout, Autism in Adulthood
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is autism so often missed in girls and women?
Research suggests a diagnostic gender bias: a 2017 meta-analysis found the true male-to-female ratio is closer to 3 to 1 than the often assumed 4 to 1, and that girls who meet criteria are at risk of not being diagnosed. Studies also find autistic girls and women camouflage more than autistic boys and men on average. Camouflaging means mirroring social behavior and hiding autistic traits, which can make autism harder to notice from the outside. These are commonly described patterns, not a way to confirm autism in any one person.
What are common signs of autism in girls and women?
Commonly described experiences include a strong ability to mask and mirror social behavior, intense special interests that may look more socially acceptable such as celebrities, animals, books, or relationships, social difficulty that is not visible in academic performance, exhaustion and burnout after social interaction, and sensory sensitivities that are sometimes attributed to anxiety. Some describe a history of being called too sensitive, intense, or socially awkward without a clear explanation. These are traits many people relate to, not a diagnosis.
What does masking or camouflaging mean?
Masking, also called camouflaging, describes the ability to mask and mirror social behavior so that autistic traits are less visible to others. Studies of children and adults have found autistic girls and women camouflage more, on average, than autistic boys and men. Masking can make autism harder to recognize, but only a qualified professional can determine whether someone is autistic.
Why are autistic girls and women often diagnosed later, in adulthood?
Some autistic women are not diagnosed until adulthood, sometimes after a child is diagnosed or after a period of burnout. A 2021 study of autistic children and teens found that greater camouflaging in girls may delay recognition of their needs, and in autistic adults of all genders, camouflaging has been linked with more symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Do these signs mean my daughter or I am autistic?
No. These traits do not confirm autism, and this page is for informational purposes only. Signs and experiences are not a diagnosis. A formal diagnosis can only be made by a licensed professional.
Can masking be harmful?
Research links camouflaging with more symptoms of anxiety and depression in autistic adults of all genders, and autistic adults describe masking as part of what leads to burnout. If any of this resonates, it can be worth talking with a qualified professional who can offer a formal evaluation.
We are not doctors. We are advocates. Nothing on this site constitutes medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about diagnosis, treatment, or any decision regarding your health or your child's health.