Autism Diagnosis Is Delayed In Girls Than Boys, Study Reveals

A new study has claimed that girls who suffer from autism show different and less obvious symptoms than boys of the same age. Therefore, girls are diagnosed with autism later than boys. The study was conducted by the researchers in an attempt to understand the gender differences that exist among children suffering from autism spectrum disorders, or ASD.

“There are clearly major gender differences in prevalence of autism, with more than four boys being diagnosed for every girl. However, we have little understanding of the roots of these differences,” said study author Dr. Paul Lipkin.

During the reasearch, Lipkin and his team scrutinised the online data for 50,000 people with ASD and their respective families. The online data were taken from the registration records maintained at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore. Out of all the records, nearly 10,000 people reported the age at which they were diagnosed with autism, while 5,000 underwent a test to assess their level of disorder.

Study results revealed that girls were diagnosed of the ASD later than the boys. Girls suffering from autism called pervasive developmental disorder, or PDD, were diagnosed at the age of 4 years, in comparison to boys who were diagnosed at 3.8 years. PDD is characterised by delay in communication and social skill development. On the other hand, diagnosis for girls with Asperger’s syndrome came at an average age of 7.6 years, while boys were found to be diagnosed at 7.1 years.

“The later diagnosis of girls appears to be tied to their areas of delay being less apparent, showing up more as shyness and quietness rather than the more unusual behaviors seen in boys, ” said Lipkin, reported Fox News.

The study results were presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies annual meeting in San Diego.

To report a problem or to leave a feedback on the article, send an e-mail to emailtoguneet@gmail.com.