By leah jones
Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a person thinks, communicates, interacts with others and experiences the world.
It is called a spectrum because it presents differently in each person. Common characteristics of ASD include communication issues, repetitive behaviors/routines, sensory sensitivities and cognitive differences.
"But experts are realizing that almost as many females as males may have autism – recent research shows that nearly 80% of autistic females are undiagnosed as of age 18," UCLA Health wrote.
Autism symptoms in females often present differently than in males, leading to misdiagnosis. This can be harmful as a diagnosis can bring a person relief and an understanding of why they function differently than others.
Here are some common female autism symptoms. Recognizing these unique characteristics is important for providing the individuals who experience them with a proper diagnosis and support.
Many autistic females learn to imitate social behaviors and practice social cues to blend in, which can make diagnosis difficult. Their struggles with socialization can also be mistaken as simply being shy.
Many people with autism have intense specialized interests in one thing. This is often the case for autistic females, but their interests may be broader or typical to other women such as books, animals or celebrities.
One of the most prevalent female autistic symptoms is a strong negative reaction to sensory stimuli like lights, sounds, textures or smells. This can lead to reactions like shutdowns or meltdowns.
Instead of obvious repetitive movements (like hand-flapping) that are associated with ASD, many autistic females engage in discreet self-stimulating behaviors like hair twirling, leg bouncing or skin-picking.
Autistic females typically internalize their symptoms instead of outwardly reacting. This contributes to higher rates of co-occurring conditions like social anxiety, OCD, depression, etc., that often lead to misdiagnosis.
ASD can cause struggles with organization, time management and task initiation, especially with tasks and work that the individual finds uninteresting. It can also cause difficulties with self-control and adaptability.
Autistic females can find themselves physically and emotionally exhausted from masking. Additionally, they may feel alone from internalizing symptoms. Recognizing their experiences is crucial so they can receive support.
Learn about Down Syndrome at the link below.