The Lost Girls – Why So Many Girls Are Undiagnosed With Autism

Over the years autism has been thought of a condition that affects many more boys than girls. But because it is seen as more of a “male condition”, thousands of girls could be going undiagnosed.

Recent research suggests that there are many more girls and women on the autistic spectrum than previously thought. “Higher functioning” autistic girls often present much quieter symptoms of autism that don’t fit the stereotypes that we expect and are msinterpreted as something else.

Hiding In Plain Sight

Undiagnosed autistic girls are thought to be hiding in plain sight. In our society girls are more likely to be encouraged to be well behaved. They are more likely to have a greater awareness of social rules and conformity and are more likely to want to fit in.

Females on the spectrum often develop a way to camouflage their symptoms. Also, they tend to obsess over friendships and can develop them, or one or two close and like-minded allies.

Learning The Art Of Camouflage

Females on the spectrum camouflage symptoms by carefully watching their peers and copying their behavior to fit in. They learn how to act and behave to by imitating girls around them and then their behavior is much less likely to be picked up on as a concern.

Research has found that as a result of trying so hard to imitate the actions of others to fit in, autistic females are more likely to control their behavior in public and are less likely to make speak too loudly or say socially inappropriate things.

Because they work so hard to mask their autism, females can fly under the diagnostic radar.

How Early Signs Of Autism Can Look Different In Girls

Up until recently everything we know about autism comes from studying the conditions in boys.

One of the common signs of autism is, what is called “repetitive and restricted bahaviors”. This can be seen when children obsessively line up their toys or develop an obsessive fascination with objects. Research now believe that girls with autism often have milder repetitive and restricted behaviors or different ones that are not recognised so easily, because they don’t fit into the stereotype of autistic behavior that we have come to understand.

Girl’s special interests might appear to be more mainstream, at least on a superficial level. They might become fascinated by dolls or shiny stickers, rather than something more obscure such as motors.

When Coping Becomes Too Hard

By the time girls enter secondary school and start puberty it becomes much harder for them to cope by imitating behavior to fit in with their peers. And this is when dealing with undiagnosed autism can become a real problem.

As the enter their teens, girls struggle to keep up with the elaborate rules of social relationships. The effort of trying to blend in now comes ata much higher cost to their inner selves. Working so hard to fit in wears them out. Studies have shown that autistig girls who are undiagnosed by their teenage years have a higher rate of anxiety and depression.

Feeling Different And More Than A Little Bit Lost

Until girls with autism get diagnosed, they have to spend their whole life feeling different. Not broken exactly, but somehow “other”. Unable to do things that most people find straightforward. Plaqued by guilt, fear and a sense of inadequacy.

Creating A World Where Every Girl Can Find Her Place

If we can gain a greater understanding of autism and the way it can present itself through different signs and symptoms amongst boys and girls then we can make sure that every child gets the support and understanding they need. At an early age, when they need it most. We can move towards a place where girls with autism can find their place and not feel isolated or excluded.

It is becoming clearer that autism is not something that most often affect boys. It affects girls too. But because they find ways to mask it they can be overlooked. And become lost.

A late diagnosis of autism is a setback for any child. But, with the right support, they can find their place in the world. We need things to change so that autistic girls are not overlooked until they really start to struggle and go down the rabbit hole with serious mental health problems.

We need to get to a place where there are no more lost girls. Instead, with more focus on diagnoses, we need to get to a place where each and every child on the spectrum can find themselves and find their place in the world.