How Autism Spectrum Disorder ASD Symptoms Manifest In Women?

A Quick Guide

Males are more likely than females to be diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder ASD. ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication, rigid interests, and repetitive behaviors. Many women may not become aware of their autism until they are adults. Women with ASD tend to internalize and conceal their symptoms, leaving them without proper assistance. In this article, we will go over what ASD is, along with its common symptoms and how it manifests in women.

Understanding ASD

Autism Spectrum Disorder ASD is an umbrella term for a variety of developmental disorders. These factors may have an impact on how people act, interact with others, and communicate. ASD used to be classified into subcategories, such as Asperger’s syndrome but is now thought of as a spectrum with a wide range of symptoms and degrees of severity.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that boys have ASD nearly four times as often as girls do. Unfortunately, a lot of autistic females might not be identified or given a diagnosis until they are adults. This might be the case since females whether it be young girls or adult women are more likely to disguise their ASD symptoms than their male counterparts are. Continue reading to find out more about ASD symptoms in women and ways to notice and manage them.

Common Autism Symptoms

Neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism affect people of all sexes and races. People with autism are quite different because it is a spectrum disorder. For instance, some people have exceptional intelligence while others struggle with cognitive issues. Some people struggle to speak, while others are articulate. While some people enjoy their alone time, others are more social. Even if the diagnosis is not made until much later, autistic symptoms must be evident by the age of three.

Communication Difficulties

Every person with a proper diagnosis of autism struggles with communicating to some degree. Some of the most typical issues with speech include:

• Idiosyncratic language use, including repeating TV dialogue or constantly repeating the same words in a similar way
• Not being able to distinguish between speech patterns and body language that indicate comedy, sarcasm, etc.
• Not being able to communicate effectively through speech.
• Vocalization with flat prosody that sounds robotic

People with ASD struggle with social communication in addition to speech and body language issues. They can range from minor to really severe, and they can include the following:

• A lack of capacity to differentiate between friendly and romantic conversation.
• Being unable to judge when it is acceptable to speak, ask questions, or engage in social interactions.
• Having trouble talking about anything other than a preferred subject, like solely discussing a single TV show.

Behavioral Differences

Depending on how often and how severe it occurs, autistic behavior might be simple to spot or challenging. As far as examples of typical autistic behavior go, we know the following:

• Major temper tantrums, often known as meltdowns, typically happen when a person is agitated, anxious, or overwhelmed.
• Some (but not all) individuals with ASD may exhibit aggressive behavior, hitting or throwing objects or hurting themselves.
• Stimming refers to seemingly pointless gestures and noises done to calm oneself down. Rocking, humming, pacing, and repeating words are just a few examples.

There may be a preference for isolation or a lack of interest in social engagements with others. Many people with ASD prefer to be alone, and sometimes it can be challenging to interact with someone on the spectrum because they are so preoccupied with their own ideas or pursuits. The majority of autistic individuals struggle to establish and sustain social interactions.

Sensory Differences

The DSM-5 updated its list of symptoms for autism in 2013 to include “Hyper- or Hyporeactivity to Sensory Input or Unusual Interest in Sensory Aspects of the Environment,” such as “Apparent Indifference to Pain/Temperature,” “Adverse Response to Certain Sounds or Textures,” “Excessive Smelling or Touching of Objects,” and “Visual Fascination with Lights or Movement.”

How are ASD symptoms different in women?

The symptoms of ASD in women might not be all that different from those in males. Yet, research has shown that while women can internalize their ASD symptoms more, men may have more overt behavioral issues. This may cause autistic women to occasionally experience more mood disorders than autistic men, such as anxiety and depression. Not all studies conclusively back up this claim though.

Autistic women were found to have higher externalizing tendencies, according to a significant evaluation of the literature published in 2020 that compared behaviors between autistic men and women. On the other hand, according to another study, autistic men exhibit more externalizing tendencies. The same detailed review also noted that while autistic girls may exhibit inferior cognitive and adaptive abilities, overall levels seem to be comparable to autistic boys.

To make clear conclusions concerning the diagnoses and behaviors among and between autistic males and females, further long-term studies are required. Specialists are still in the dark regarding these discrepancies, particularly if they are genuine or merely the effect of masking.

Masking

Adult women and girls with ASD are more inclined to hide their symptoms, according to researchers. This is especially prevalent among women with ASD who require less help. A few typical types of masking are:

• Forcing yourself to look people in the eye while speaking
• Imitating other people’s social behavior
• Mimicking gestures and facial expressions
• Preparing jokes or catchphrases in advance to use in conversation

Both men and women with ASD are capable of masking their symptoms, but it seems that women do it more frequently. This may also be the reason they are less likely to be given an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis, in addition to the variations in presentation.

Comorbidities in ASD

These are other diagnoses that can be established in addition to a primary diagnosis. Comorbidities are more prevalent in women than men with ASD, according to recent studies.  Moreover, comorbidities are more probable among those who receive an autism diagnosis later in life. Some comorbid conditions that are typical among autistic women are:

• Anxiety
• Anorexia nervosa
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Depression
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Sleep disorders
• Tic disorders

Why do Autistic Girls Go Undiagnosed?

Some girls exhibit blatant signs of autism, such as self-stimulating behaviors (stims) or severe speech and language impairment. Girls are typically referred for therapy and diagnosed early on if difficulties with social interaction or cognitive functions are noticeable. Autism may not be identified or even discussed in girls with mild symptoms or those who have mastered masking until they are pre-teens, adolescents, or adults. Missed autism diagnoses can also be attributed to cultural attitudes and myths. Oftentimes, girls are expected to act more meekly and subduedly than boys.

A female who appears reserved and withdrawn can be considered “feminine,” yet a boy with the same traits might require attention because he isn’t acting more obviously “typical “masculine” behavior. Similar to how a female who appears “spacey” and uninterested is frequently referred to as a “dreamer” in a good way, the same actions in males may be seen as disruptive and would likewise result in intervention.

Mental health specialists and healthcare providers can overlook autism in girls as well. The diagnostic standards for autism spectrum disorder ASD were developed using the information that was available, much of which had previously been concentrated on boys and men. There is still a long way to go, but steps are being taken to make the criterion more inclusive for autistic people who are not men.

Potential causes of ASD 

The majority of the time, autism has no known cause. Nonetheless, autism is a highly heritable illness, meaning that it has a genetic basis and runs in families. Several individuals with autism are known to have rare, non-inherited genetic abnormalities. In addition, the following are some known causes of autism:

• Being born to parents that are older, especially if the father is.
• Especially when the infant is premature, or low birth weight.
• Hereditary diseases like fragile X syndrome and others.
• The mother’s use of specific medications throughout pregnancy.

How is it diagnosed?

Autism cannot be diagnosed medically, instead, it is determined via observation and certain testing. Autism is typically identified in children as compared to adults, and diagnosis is typically made with the help of specialists in speech and physical development by a developmental pediatrician, psychologist, or neurologist.

Parents respond to questions on their child’s growth, behavior, and skills on a range of surveys about their infant and toddler years. Additionally, to ascertain whether a kid is autistic and whether comorbidities, if any, are present, doctors may employ a variety of hands-on and observational approaches. Autism specialists in psychology and psychiatry frequently make the diagnosis of autism in adults.

Assistance and medical care

Autism has no known treatment. Nonetheless, there are numerous therapeutic options accessible. While some treatments are medical and must be prescribed by a doctor, others are behavioral and/or developmental and may be provided by a therapist or even a parent. Parents frequently have the last decision when selecting treatments for their children because there is no one “optimal” treatment for autism. The following are a few of the frequent treatments:

• Applied Behavioral Analysis
• Certain symptoms can be treated with drugs like Risperdal (risperidone) or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
• Developmental therapy that includes Floortime, SCERTS, and relationship development intervention (RDI)
• Nutritional treatments such as gluten- and/or casein-free diets
• Occupational therapy
• Play therapy
• Social skill training
• Speech therapy

Due to their relatively high functioning, adults with autism are much more inclined to seek assistance with cognitive (talk) therapy. Also, some adults look for support groups made up of autistic self-advocates, sensory integration therapy, and social skills training.

Learn More About Autism Spectrum Disorder ASD And Social Skills

Outlook

Researchers are beginning to have a better understanding of the disparities in how men and women experience ASD symptoms, which appears to be more common in males than in girls. Even while this is encouraging for the future, adult women who suspect they may have ASD still have trouble acquiring a diagnosis and finding support for their symptoms. Yet, as knowledge about ASD and its various manifestations increases, so do the resources that are available. Connecting with others has become much simpler thanks to the internet, even for people who deal with social anxiety, a typical ASD symptom.

If you relate to any symptoms associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder and you suspect you may have the condition, it is important that you consult a doctor. While there are different mental health specialists that can diagnose the condition. If you are unsure whom you should visit, then consult with your General physician who can then refer you to an appropriate specialist. 

We hope you found this article helpful in understanding more about how the signs and symptoms of ASD present themselves in women.