why fitting in isn’t the best solution
By Caithlin White, MSPA CPSP
Studies suggest that males outnumber females in terms of autism diagnoses approximately 4:1. So does this mean girls are somehow less prone to the developmental disorder than boys? In short no.
These uneven figures represent a large cohort of girls whoes challenges are going unnoticed, and slipping under the radar.
In this blog I discuss some of the challenges related to identifying girls, some of the signs that may indicate Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and touch on the benefits of early detection.
Why are girls slipping under the radar?
'Fitting in'
One of the main reasons girls on the autism spectrum are significantly underdiagnosed is that they tend to be more adept at masking their difficulties and imitating expected behaviours than boys - In other words they tend to do a better job at ‘fitting in’ or not standing out.
For instance a girl experiencing social or language difficulties may choose to follow and copy rather than lead, suppress a stimming behaviour in public, or simply remain quiet and appear shy. More energy and general effort appears to be placed on attempts to avoid bringing attention to difficulties, at the sacrifice of putting her real needs to the side.
Our current diagnostic criteria
Other articles examining the low rates of autism diagnosis in girls also suggest that our current understanding and diagnostic criteria fit a male presentation. Girls can still qualify under these categories, but many tend to show up as less pronounced. For instance girls typically demonstrate less repetitive and restricted behaviours which are one of the key component of the DSM-V ASD diagnostic criteria.
Culture can play a part
It is more common in many cultures for boys to take on loud and daring behaviours. So when something goes wrong, or a boy is struggling it can be easier to observe the difficulties in his more outgoing behaviours.
Boys who experience difficulties or frustrations are also more likely to express these outwardly or cause disruptions in groups. These behaviours alert others quickly and also motivate people to understand what's causing/underlying the issues sooner.
Additionally our interpretations of behaviours change between the two genders. For example many could consider a quiet and withdrawn girl a daydreamer or shy. However a boy of this description might be considered more unusual and prompt more concern. So if a boy is loud and experiencing difficulties he is easier to spot, but if he is quiet and having difficulties this also prompts concern. In the mean time these quiet girls just slide by undetected!
Difficulties can show as more pronounced with age
As we get older, social and language skills become more complex. A young girl may be able to avoid standing out by immitating expected behaviours, but this becomes harder to do as she gets older and she will come an age where this is no longer possible.
7 signs a girl with Autism may demonstrate
1. Unusual passivity
A girl with heightened passivity may look like she is uninterested, or lacks assertiveness and the ability to express her own wants and needs.
2. Conversations are restricted to limited topics of interest
You observe that conversation topics are confined to a set number of themes/ topics and she has little to no desire to engage in topics of conversations that deviate from these interests.
The childmind institute highlights how special interests of girls with autism can appear like typical interests of girls in her age group, such as horses or animation characters.
It’s important to look at the amount of attention directed on certain themes and someone's reluctance to change topics.
3. Literal understanding of language
She may interpret figures of speech such as "it's raining cats and dogs" literally, misunderstand sarcasm or have difficulty understanding and using humour.
4. Relies heavily on others to talk for her
Relying on others to talk could suggest an underlying language problems or be symptomatic of difficulties relating to social communication. Your daughter may have very verbal and talkative friends who are able to understand her needs and request things for her.
5. Difficulty making and maintaining friendships
Difficulties may be observed in forming friendships such as a reduced interest in others or perhaps having an interest in engaging with others but not being able to talk on the topics introduced by peers.
6. Difficulty regulating feelings when frustrated
Your daughter may be more prone to stress/anxiety or she may take the longer to calm after experiencing emotions such as anger. Another indication of regulation difficulties is that once an emotion (such as anger) is triggered this often begins a chain of increasing stress and anger.
7. Unusual sensitivity to sensory input
Most people with autism encounter some sensory challenges. They may have increased sensitivity or seek more sensory input. For example your daughter may be overly sensitive to sounds or certain tastes/ touches, or perhaps she presents as a particularly active and or fidgety girl.
And moving forward?
Observing the subtleties and indications that your daughter may not be flourishing as well as she could is not a comfortable task. However by investigating more closely you may be able to give her support and well needed compassion that will help her find better self awareness and healthy solutions to different challenges.
The signs listed above are by no means a full list of what to expect in autism, and definitely everyone on the spectrum presents with unique strengths and difficulties to different degrees. If you observe some of these signs listed above the best thing to do can be to discuss these with other key people in your daughters life, such as your partner, teachers, doctors or if very concerned seek the opinion of a specialist.
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