How to Recognize the Missing Signs of Autism in Girls
As the parent of an autistic child, there are many things that I have studied, read about, and looked into. One of those things was raising an autistic girl. And moreover, it was about learning to recognize the signs of autism in girls. Why Autism in Girls Is Often Missed Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has historically been diagnosed more frequently in boys, leading to significant underdiagnosis in girls. The reasons for this include: ✔ Camouflaging Behaviors → Many autistic girls learn to “mask” their symptoms by mimicking social interactions. ✔ Subtle Repetitive Behaviors → Instead of obvious stimming (like hand-flapping), girls may engage in small, unnoticed repetitive actions. ✔ Different Special Interests → Girls often have intense interests in socially acceptable topics, such as books, animals, or…