Autism affects every child differently, so diagnosing and providing treatment may present a few limitations. While autism awareness has grown significantly in recent years, autism in girls still remains misunderstood. Frequently, girls with autism will go years undiagnosed since their symptoms don’t match the stereotypes. To give your daughter the best support, you should understand the often-overlooked signs. Keep reading to discover four signs and symptoms of autism in girls.

The Importance of Understanding Autism in Girls

Autism is more commonly found in boys, so research and diagnostic criteria have mainly focused on symptoms predominantly seen in males. However, girls can also have autism, and they may demonstrate different symptoms. Girls often develop clever ways to cope with their autistic traits, making diagnosing them even more difficult.

The earlier the diagnosis, the sooner intervention can begin and the better you can help your child understand their unique traits. This way, your child can gain a more positive self-perception and improve their quality of life.

Key Signs and Symptoms of Autism in Girls

As mentioned previously, each child with autism has distinct strengths and areas for growth. To provide optimal support, caregivers and parents must acquaint themselves with the signs and symptoms typically exhibited by girls.

Social Difficulties

Girls who have autism might have limitations when it comes to establishing and sustaining friendships. They often prefer engagement with adults or younger children instead of individuals their age. At times, these girls exert significant effort to blend in by copying the behaviors and mannerisms of others, which can make identifying their autism more difficult. Girls tend to 'mask' their autism more than boys do. This can look like using scripted or banked words, forcing eye contact, hiding their special interests, and rehearsing social situations. 

Communication Limitations

A common sign and symptom that girls with autism possess is communication limitations. Despite having a broad vocabulary, they may grapple with subtleties in communication, such as non-verbal cues and sarcasm. They might also struggle to express their emotions directly or comprehend the feelings of others.

Sensitivity to Sensory Inputs

While sensitivity to sensory stimuli is a common experience among children with autism, it may be particularly pronounced in girls. If your child has autism, you might observe that she reacts strongly to sensory inputs like touch, taste, sound, or smell. They also might find loud sounds or diverse textures to be intolerable.

Special Interests and Imagination

Girls with autism often cultivate passionate yet narrowly focused interests, participating in repetitive activities related to these interests. Their preferences frequently overlap with traditionally “child-like” pastimes, including doll collections, TV shows, or animal play. This alignment can make their intense focus less conspicuous than boys with autism.

How HANDS Center for Autism Can Help

Girls with autism may show different signs and symptoms than boys. If you suspect that your daughter may have autism, seeking support as soon as possible is crucial. HANDS Center for Autism offers center-based ABA therapy designed to improve the lives of children on the autism spectrum. Don’t hesitate to contact us today to learn more about our life-changing programs.