Gender Differences

Autism has always been predominately identified in males. Males display stereotypical behaviors at a younger age that lead to a diagnosis (Calderoni, 2023). The tests that are used to identify ASD measure 3 behavior domains: restrictive and repetitive behaviors, social interactions, and communication skills (Rubin, 2022). Females are less likely to display obvious behaviors that lead to a diagnosis and tend to have less severe symptoms that lead to not being diagnosed or receiving a delayed diagnosis (2022). Females with ASD have a higher percentage - 40%- of having a dual diagnosis of Intellectual Disabilities than males- 32% (2023).

Females are less likely to display obvious behaviors (such as hand flapping) and may have less severe symptoms than males that leads to them having a delayed diagnosis or not being diagnosed at all (Rubin, 2022). Males tend to display more externalizing behaviors, such as oppositional behaviors, conduct problems, and aggression (Calderoni, 2023).

Females are more difficult to diagnose due to:

Different presentation of restrictive and repetitive behaviors
Fewer externalizing problems
More internalizing behaviors
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Withdrawn
Higher social motivation
More extensive camouflaging
Better at masking or camouflaging symptoms
Can more easily switch tasks
Misdiagnosed with internalizing or eating disorders
Repetitive interests are more socially appropriate
Having higher executive functioning skills and cognitive flexibility

Females with comorbid conditions can be misdiagnosed or under diagnosed because they mask their symptoms of ASD.

(Calderoni, 2023; Foggo & Webster, 2017; Hull, et al., 2017; Rubin, 2022)

Females are better at camouflaging their symptoms in order to compensate for social difficulties or challenges they face (Foggo & Webster, 2017). Based on the results of studies conducted on children, ages 5-10, females were found to be better at non-verbal communication skills, pay attention to faces, hold gaze patterns, and tend to play near their peers on the playground (Calderoni, 2023). Females with ASD tend to center their friendships around talking and sharing, have a high level of disclosure, and exclusiveness. Males with ASD tend to center their friendships on games and shared activities (2017).

More diagnostic tools have been and are being created in order to diagnose autism in females. This is the step in the direction for females to have access to being properly diagnosed and getting access to the right interventions for their specific and individual needs (Calderoni, 2023).

Page updated

Report abuse