Yes, autism does occur in boys more commonly than girls. The current estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that autism affects 1 in 54 boys and 1 in 252 girls, making it about 4.5 times more likely to occur in boys than girls.
The exact cause of this gender difference is unknown, but there are several possible explanations. Research suggests that boys may be more vulnerable to environmental triggers that can lead to autism, such as exposure to certain chemicals or viruses. Additionally, boys may have a genetic predisposition to autism, as certain genetic mutations have been linked to an increased risk for autism in males.
Another possible explanation for the gender discrepancy is that girls may be better able to compensate for the effects of autism. Girls may be more able to learn social and communication skills, and they may be better able to mask their symptoms, leading to a lower diagnosis rate than in boys.
Finally, there is evidence that girls may have a better prognosis than boys when it comes to autism. Studies have found that girls with autism tend to have better social and communication skills, fewer disruptive behaviors, and better functioning overall than boys with autism.
Overall, the research suggests that autism occurs more commonly in boys than girls, but the reasons for this gender difference are still not fully understood.