User:Arnoldt.27/Autism

Autism in Women and Girls
As with all forms of autistic spectrum condition, there are many different experiences, factors and behaviors. No two people are the same, including those of the same gender, however; studies have found patterns and varying behaviors which are common amongst female with autistic spectrum condition.

Diagnosis
Studies show that men are 4 times more likely to receive a diagnosis of autistic spectrum condition (ASC) than females, however; many now question this statistic as new research provides research as to why this number may be false. Underdiagnoses of females with autistic spectrum condition has become a hot topic as many females go undiagnosed or are not diagnosed until much later in life compared to males on the autistic spectrum. The average age of diagnosis for males on the Autistic Spectrum is around pre-school age (ages 3-5) whereas the average age of diagnosis for females is often around the time in which they are in elementary school (ages 5-14) or later. This late diagnosis can be attributed to many factors, one of which being the diagnosis criteria itself. The studies used to developed the criteria which is used to diagnose those who have autistic spectrum condition are mainly male-based studies, resulting in diagnosis criteria that is male-based. Due to this bias diagnosis criteria, many women go misdiagnosed with other mental health issues such as obsessives compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder or bipolar disorder.

Female Autism Phenotype
Female autism phenotype describes the common attributed associated with autism and how they may very in females. Women with on the Spectrum often have different traits to their male counterparts. There are many factors that are associated with female autism phenotype:


 * 1) Camouflaging or Masking which is the act of altering ones autistic behaviors, either consciously or unconsciously, to match the behaviors of ones neurotypical peers . This often means that females with ASC will appear to be more social and have better communications skills than their male counterparts . Females with autism are often better at using this tactic to mask their autistic traits, resulting in doctors and family members misdiagnosing or not providing a diagnosis at all.
 * 2) Women with ASC often have fewer repetitive behaviors. Where as boys diagnosed with autism spectrum condition often have restrictive interests and repetitive behaviors, girls tend to stray away from these traits, instead having traits that would be more 'acceptable' among their neurotypical peers . Some autistic females that do have repetitive behaviors often have behaviors that can be classified as 'girly' or 'cute', causing them to be looked over by doctors, friends and family members.
 * 3) Autistic females tend to have more socially acceptable interests, often favoring interests revolving around art or literature as an example. These traits are considered to be more 'normal' resulting in them being less of a flag for autism spectrum condition.