Why Is Autism Different in Boys and Girls

We keep celebrating Autism Awareness month through promoting neurodiversity and education. For many of you, this month also brings questions like why is autism different between boys and girls? or  Why was my daughter diagnosed so late?

While autism is over three times more common in boys, growing research shows that girls are often underdiagnosed, misdiagnosed, or simply overlooked. In this blog, we’ll explore the science-based key gender differences in autism—what they look like, why they matter, and how you can better advocate for your children.

Did you know that Autism occurs more than three times frequently among boys than it does among girls? Knowing and understanding gender-specific autism behavior patterns is key to getting the right support and services for your child.

Autism in Boys vs. Girls: What the Numbers Say

Statistics show that Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnoses affect 1 child out of 31 children at age 8. Throughout history autism has shown a “male-dominated” pattern, for ever 4 boys diagnosed, there is one girl. Studies indicate that boys and girls can present their autism symptoms differently and those differences are often overlooked, which makes diagnosis more complicated.

Why Girls with Autism May Be Missed

Girls with autism are often underdiagnosed or diagnosed later than boys. Here’s why:

• Girls may mask symptoms by copying social behaviors, making it harder to detect ASD. Social and nurturing behavior along with politeness receives higher encouragement for girls than it does for boys.. From an early age, which can lead them to observe and copy others’ social behaviors more carefully—even if they don’t understand them.
• Repetitive behaviors which are a major autism symptom manifest with lesser intensity or more suitable social acceptability in girls. EG. A girl devotes her attention to animal knowledge or popular stars instead of displaying classic ASD behaviors such as toy arrangement or train fixation which remain under the radar since these appear “typical” for her age
• The diagnostic assessment tools were mainly created through descriptions of behaviors in boys which created a blindness regarding autism presentations in girls.

The natural behaviors of boys who remain quiet, shy or socially withdrawn draw attention from others. Society considers the same behavior in female children to be signs of respect or shyness which delays their identification period.

Unique Challenges Faced by Girls with Autism

While every child is different, research shows that females with autism often have unique needs:

• Difficulty in romantic or peer relationships may go unnoticed or misunderstood. When girls struggle to understand boundaries, emotional cues, or romantic dynamics, it’s often brushed off as typical teen confusion—when in reality, it may stem from challenges related to autism.
• They might experience more internal struggles, and co-occurring conditions such as anxiety or depression.  Instead of acting out, girls with autism are more likely to internalize their stress—experiencing anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem—rather than showing clear external signs of social struggle. Instead of recognizing social confusion or sensory overload, people may label girls with autism as just “sensitive,” “clingy,” “awkward,” or “quiet”—missing the underlying neurodevelopmental cause.
• Many girls receive support later in life, sometimes after years of being misdiagnosed.

What the Research Shows

Recent studies offer important insights:

• Girls and boys with ASD do not differ significantly in social or communication challenges, but girls are better at unconsciously “masking” them. From an early age, girls may be more motivated to “fit in,” which can lead them to observe and copy others’ social behaviors more carefully—even if they don’t understand them.
• Brain scans show physical differences in areas like the motor cortex and cerebellum.
• These findings suggest that gender-specific strategies in therapy and education may be more effective.

What This Means for You as a Parent

If you’re raising a child with autism, it’s important to advocate for:

• Personalized evaluations that consider how symptoms may show up differently in boys and girls. Consider getting your child evaluated since they start showing autism signs
• Therapies tailored to your child’s specific strengths and needs—whether that’s social skills, emotional regulation, or navigating friendships.
• Awareness among teachers and therapists to look beyond the typical “male” signs of autism.

Final Thoughts

Every child with autism deserves recognition together with proper listening and compassionate support regardless of their gender. By understanding how autism presents differently in boys and girls, you’re already taking a big step in getting your child optimal care.

If you’re in Florida or Georgia and seeking autism therapy services, we’re here to help.

Sources:

Halladay, A.K., Bishop, S., Constantino, J.N. et al. Sex and gender differences in autism spectrum disorder: summarizing evidence gaps and identifying emerging areas of priority. Molecular Autism 6, 36 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13229-015-0019-y

De Giambattista, C., Ventura, P., Trerotoli, P., Margari, F., & Margari, L. (2021). Sex Differences in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Focus on High Functioning Children and Adolescents. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 539835. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.539835

https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2015/09/girls-and-boys-with-autism-differ-in-behavior-brain-structure.html

https://www.cdc.gov/autism/data-research/index.html