Autism in Boys vs Girls: Can Symptoms Look Different?

Autism can present in different ways, and some differences are seen between boys and girls. However, autism is not defined by sex/gender. Children of any sex can have differences in social communication, interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors.

Research suggests that some autistic girls may show fewer obvious repetitive behaviors or may have stronger social and language skills on standard assessments.[1,2] These differences can make autism harder to recognize, especially when a child learns to copy social behaviors or hide difficulties.

Why Is Autism Sometimes Missed in Girls?

One reason may be camouflaging, where an autistic person consciously or unconsciously adapts their behavior to fit social expectations. A 2024 systematic review found that females used more compensation and masking strategies than males in the studies reviewed.[1]

Girls may also have intense interests that appear similar to interests commonly seen among their peers, making them less noticeable. Academic performance or participation in friendships may also hide underlying social or sensory difficulties.[2]

The National Autistic Society's guidance on autistic women and girls provides further information about female presentations and barriers to diagnosis.

Are More Boys Diagnosed With Autism?

Yes. Current U.S. surveillance data show that autism is identified more often in boys than girls. In the CDC's 2022 monitoring data, boys aged 8 years were about 3.4 times as likely as girls to be identified with autism.[3] This difference may reflect biological factors, differences in presentation, and possible under-recognition of some girls.[1,2]

Early signs may include differences in social interaction, communication, play, response to name, or repetitive behaviors in both boys and girls. A child does not need to show every sign to warrant an evaluation.

The CDC's autism screening guidance notes that autism can sometimes be detected by 18 months, while diagnosis by age 2 can be reliable when performed by an experienced professional.[4]

Book an Autism Evaluation if you have concerns about your child's communication, social interaction, behavior, or development. A comprehensive evaluation can help identify individual needs regardless of whether the child is a boy or girl.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do boys and girls with autism have different symptoms?

Some differences have been reported, particularly in repetitive behaviors, social presentation, and camouflaging. However, there is substantial overlap between autistic boys and girls.[1,2]

Why is autism underdiagnosed in girls?

Girls may have less obvious repetitive behaviors, stronger social compensation, or characteristics that are not well captured by traditional diagnostic expectations.[1,2]

Do girls with autism mask symptoms?

Some autistic girls camouflage or mask autistic characteristics. This can make their difficulties less visible during everyday interactions or assessments.[1]

What are early signs of autism in girls?

Possible signs may include differences in social communication, difficulty maintaining friendships, unusual responses to sensory experiences, repetitive behaviors, or highly focused interests. These signs can also occur in boys.

What are early signs of autism in boys?

Signs may include differences in eye contact, response to name, social interaction, communication, play, repetitive movements, or intense interests. These signs are not unique to boys.

At what age is autism usually diagnosed?

Autism can sometimes be identified in the second year of life, but the age of diagnosis varies. Some children are diagnosed later because their characteristics are less apparent or recognized.[4]

Which gender does autism affect more?

Current surveillance data identify autism more often in boys than girls. However, this does not mean autism is uncommon in girls, and some girls may be missed or diagnosed later.[1,3]

References

• Is there a bias towards males in the diagnosis of autism? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Rev J Autism Dev Disord. 2024.
• Improving diagnostic procedures in autism for girls and women: a narrative review. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2024.
• Prevalence and early identification of autism spectrum disorder among children aged 4 and 8 years: Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 16 sites, United States, 2022. MMWR Surveill Summ. 2025.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Screening for autism spectrum disorder. Atlanta: CDC; 2025. Available from: 
• Special considerations for assessing and caring for autism in girls and women. Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2024