Empowering Early Detection of Autism in Girls

On average, women experience a 10-year delay in receiving an autism diagnosis from their first presentation to mental health services? This delay is particularly evident in women who exhibit more nuanced autistic traits and do not have intellectual disabilities.

A questionnaire conducted by the Autistic Girls Network found that 43% of autistic girls waited up to two years for a diagnosis, while 24% waited more than three years.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is diagnosed more frequently in males than females, with traditional estimates suggesting a 4:1 male-to-female ratio. However, recent research indicates that this disparity may be due to under-diagnosis in females. Studies have found that nearly 80% of autistic females remain undiagnosed by age 18.

In the United States, approximately 1 in 36 child is diagnosed with autism. Boys are nearly four times more likely to be diagnosed than girls, with about 4 in 100 boys and 1 in 100 girls identified as having autism.

A 2022 study published in Autism Research found that autistic girls are more likely to first be misdiagnosed with anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder, or eating disorders before receiving an autism diagnosis.

Almost 50% of autistic females surveyed reported receiving a mental health diagnosis before their autism was identified.

A 2021 meta-analysis found that late-diagnosed autistic women were three times more likely to experience major depressive disorder, self-harm, or suicidality compared to early-diagnosed individuals.

Boys are diagnosed with autism at much higher rates than girls. According to research, about 1 in 42 boys (around 2.4%) are diagnosed with autism, whereas 1 in 189 girls (around 0.5%) are diagnosed. This means boys are about four times more likely to be diagnosed early compared to girls.