Hey! Girls Can Be Autistic, Too!
Did you know that girls can be autistic, too? It may come as a surprise to some, even professionals. Unfortunately, women/girls are more likely to be misdiagnosed with autism than boys. It's easier to pinpoint autism in men than it is for women since the diagnostic criteria is male-based. However, more and more women are getting diagnosed nowadays, even if it's a later diagnosis. Think about the amount of autistic women you may know...it's hard isn't it?! Today, I would like to briefly go over why it's important to know about autism in our friends who are girls.
Going back to the question I just asked, did you think of anyone? I've been reading into this concept of autism in women since I found out about my diagnosis. It's very interesting. While boys are diagnosed about three times more often than girls (according to the CDC, May 2025), researchers believe that many autistic girls go unnoticed or are misdiagnosed. I've said this before and I'll say it again, but the only autistic people I really knew growing up were boys. (Honestly, same with ADHD. I feel like I was the only girl I knew growing up that had severe ADHD.).
As I've mentioned earlier, the traits of autism are more male-focused. When I was younger, my mom told me she tried to get me officially diagnosed with Asperger's (now, it's just autism), but my ADHD doctor told her that my interests were "normal" for a girl my age and that I could communicate and make eye contact. I have a friend who is a girl who told me she was diagnosed with autism at the age of 13. I know many girls who I've met with an official diagnosis who were diagnosed as a teenager and some who are in their late-20s who haven't got a diagnosis because they're worried that they won't "have it". Even though the criteria is male-centered, I feel like we've come along way in the autism world with getting girls a diagnosis. Unfortunately, "severe" cases of autism weren't handled well back in the 20th century. For instance, Temple Grandin, a woman who is known for her advocacy on autism and animal behavior, was told that because of her misbehavior that she should go to an institution, but her mom fought against it. Actress Daryl Hannah (from movies like Splash and Steel Magnolias), also on the autism spectrum shared her mother fought for her to not be put in an institution. There's also more notable female public figures who've come out and chosen to advocate for autism: Tallulah Willis (daughter of Demi Moore and Bruce Willis) came out in 2024 that she was on the spectrum with a photo on Instagram. She shared that she was diagnosed at 29 years old. Greta Thunberg, Swedish activist shared her diagnosis of Aspergers at the age of 15. Susan Boyle, singer, was also diagnosed with autism.
Why are less girls autistic?? Well, it's due to masking symptoms through stress. Like I've said, we've come a long way with autism, but there's so much that's being missed without a proper autism diagnosis. Let's bring more awareness to autism and neurodiversity so that we can get more girls diagnosed!!
Here are some clips I found on YouTube about the women I've talked about who have autism.
Here is a website for Autistic girlies:
If you liked this blog post, PLEASE comment down below what your favorite part was, share with your friends and family, etc. Have any comments, questions, etc. about what you were reading? Reach out to me by messaging me on Instagram or TikTok @neurospicyblondie or email me alyssa.onthespectrum@gmail.com.
