With autism rates soaring, one thing is clear. Too many children with autism grew up and missed out on early support that could have helped empower them to navigate through life. While that fact is difficult to accept, it’s important to also see the flip side. Today, more children than ever are beginning to get access to the early intervention they need to become stronger, healthier, and more independent.
One important area that still needs to be addressed more fully is studying early intervention for girls with autism. Many girls continue to get diagnosed at much higher ages than their male counterparts. One reason why, researchers believe, is that girls are more likely to successfully mask.
A recent study conducted in Sweden seems to back up this theory. The study looked at 2.8 million people who were enrolled in Sweden’s universal health care system. Health records for these individuals covered 35 years of each person’s health history. What researchers discovered was that boys under the age of 10 were around three to four times as likely to be diagnosed with autism as girls around the same age. This statistic, according to researchers, doesn’t suggest girls have an overall lower rate of autism, but that they are not getting diagnosed as early as boys. The statistic that backs this up is that the gender gap in autism diagnosis doesn’t exist by adulthood.
While this study focused exclusively on Sweden, it represents a global issue.
Not only are younger girls more prone to masking, but they’re also more likely to be better with communication and eye contact, two key traits of autism. What’s more, young girls are socialized to be quieter, so they’re far less likely to show big, externalized behaviors that typically result in autism diagnosis, like tantrums or aggression.
Another theory is that girls are more likely to get misdiagnosed with other conditions. Anorexia and disordered eating, for instance, could be mistaken for eating problems due to sensory-related or routine-related problems. When a misdiagnosis occurs, the child is likely to receive treatments that cause more stress and don’t address the root of the issue.
While this gap in early diagnosis of autism in young girls still exists, researchers are working diligently to investigate how to identify autism in girls sooner. The goal is to ensure every child, regardless of gender, receives the support they need to live the most fulfilling life possible.
Do You Know a Las Vegas Child Who Could Benefit from Autism Services?
Are you currently in the Las Vegas area? Do you know a child who could benefit from additional autism services? At the Nevada Autism Center, our team offers individualized ABA therapy to children. We offer community support, family guidance, and plenty of opportunities for socialization.
If you’re interested in learning more, then consider giving us a call now at (702) 660-2005 to discuss our services in more detail. You can also go through our online enrollment process to get a head start on joining our team.
