Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often shows up in girls and boys in different ways, which can cause signs to be misunderstood or not diagnosed right away. Figuring out these differences can help girls, their families, and their teachers see things more clearly. The main signs that may point to autism in girls are talked about below, along with the different ways it can show up.
Signs You Have Autism as a Girl
1. Difficulty in Social Interactions
In order to make and keep friends, girls with autism often have trouble. Even though they might seem socially adept at first, these conversations can be too much for them. Some key signs are:
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Struggling to make friends: Girls may feel anxious in group settings and prefer one-on-one interactions.
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Mimicking social behavior: Some girls try to fit in by watching and copying what their friends do without fully understanding the subtleties of social behavior.
Intense fear of rejection: This can lead to avoiding social situations altogether.
You may want to Read: 15 Hidden Signs You Have Autism as a Girl—Discover Now!
2. Special Interests That Differ in Intensity
One hallmark of autism is having strong, focused interests. When it comes to girls, these interests may seem more normal, but they are followed with great passion. As an example:
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A deep fascination with animals, books, or certain people.
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Putting together groups of things like dolls or stationery in very specific ways.
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Putting hours into getting better at crafts or hobbies.
In contrast to their neurotypical peers, these hobbies often take up all of a girl’s free time and thoughts.
3. Masking or Camouflaging Behavior
Girls on the range often hide their autistic traits to fit in with their peers. Camouflaging is the name for this effect, which can make you exhausted and upset. Some common masking habits are
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Copying the movements and speech patterns of friends.
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Suppressing natural responses in public, like stimming (making the same sounds or movements over and over).
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Practicing social scripts or talks ahead of time.
Masking can make it take longer to diagnose autism because this adaptable behavior hides the outward signs.
4. Heightened Sensory Sensitivities
Sensory sensitivity is a significant sign of autism. For example, girls may be more sensitive to the following:
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Textures and fabrics: It hurts when clothes or seams are scratchy.
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Sounds: Overwhelmed by loud sounds like sirens or places with a lot of people.
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Lights and smells: Not liking bright lights or strong smells.
When coping strategies reach their limits, sensory overload can result in meltdowns or shutting down.
5. Communication Challenges
A lot of girls with autism are proficient with words, but the way they talk to each other may still follow clear patterns, like:
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Difficulty understanding sarcasm or idioms.
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For their age, they should use formal or advanced language.
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Having trouble starting or continuing talks, especially with people they don’t know.
People often think that these problems are caused by shyness or introversion.
6. Emotional Regulation Difficulties
For girls with autism, emotions can feel stronger, which makes controlling them a constant challenge. Some signs are:
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Frequent meltdowns: These happen when your feelings get too much to handle.
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Shutdowns: Some girls don’t react at all; instead, they pull away totally.
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Difficulty expressing feelings: Often leading to frustration or misunderstandings.
7. Preference for Routine and Predictability
Girls with autism often thrive on order and predictability, and they find comfort in sticking to routines. When these routines are broken, it can cause stress or worry. Some examples are
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Following strict schedules: Not wanting to change plans that have already been made.
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Repetitive rituals: Eating the same food or following specific steps in daily tasks.
Any changes, no matter how small, can be too much to handle without warning.
