Introduction
Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by difficulty in social interaction and communication, as well as restricted and repetitive behavior. It is estimated to affect 1 in every 68 children in the United States, and is more commonly diagnosed in boys than girls. In recent years, research has focused on why this gender discrepancy exists.
Gender Differences in Diagnosis
The exact reasons for this gender discrepancy are still unknown. It is theorized that girls may be more adept than boys in masking the symptoms of autism, or that girls may have different symptoms than boys. Additionally, many doctors are more likely to diagnose autism in boys than girls, leading to a greater number of boys being diagnosed.
Why Girls May Be Less Likely to Be Diagnosed
There are a few theories as to why girls may be less likely to be diagnosed with autism. One theory is that girls may be better at masking the symptoms of autism than boys. For instance, girls may be more skilled at using social cues and compensating for difficulties in social interaction. Additionally, girls may have different symptoms than boys, leading to them being less likely to be diagnosed with autism. It is also theorized that many doctors are more likely to diagnose autism in boys than in girls.
Conclusion
The exact reasons as to why girls are less likely to be diagnosed with autism are still unknown. However, it is theorized that girls may be better at masking the symptoms of autism, that girls may have different symptoms than boys, and that many doctors are more likely to diagnose autism in boys than in girls. It is important to note that this gender discrepancy in diagnosis is not a reflection of the prevalence of autism in girls, but rather a reflection of the difficulty in diagnosing autism in girls.