Autism Signs in Girls and Women

Girls and women are significantly underdiagnosed for autism. Research consistently shows that the autism criteria were developed primarily from studies of young white boys — and that autism presents differently in girls and women in ways the traditional criteria do not capture well.

Common presentations in autistic girls and women include: strong ability to mask and mirror social behavior (camouflaging); intense special interests that may appear more socially acceptable (celebrities, animals, books, relationships) rather than stereotypically male interests like trains or video games; difficulty that appears in social situations but is not visible in academic performance; exhaustion and burnout after social interaction; sensory sensitivities that may be attributed to anxiety or sensory processing disorder without an autism connection; and a history of being described as "too sensitive," "intense," or "socially awkward" without a clear explanation.

Late diagnosis is common: many autistic women receive their diagnosis in adulthood, often following a child's diagnosis or a period of burnout that removes the capacity to mask. The masking that delays diagnosis is also what puts autistic women at higher risk for burnout, anxiety, and depression.

This page is for informational purposes only. These traits do not confirm autism. A licensed professional must make any diagnosis.