Why does autism affect males and females differently?

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So I recently got diagnosed with autism, and my therapist was talking about how it was most likely missed because of how different the disorder can show itself in boys vs girls.

So, why?

It looks like it’s the same over different populations, so I don’t think it’s anything to do with culture or anything like that. So is it something biological? Maybe it interacts with chromosomes or something?

I keep seeing things that tell me that it’s different, but nothing about why.

In: Biology

11 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

A big part of it is socialization and gendered framing of the same traits. If a boy is fidgety and inattentive, it’s just “boys will be boys.” If a girl is fidgety and inattentive, she’s more likely to be punished for that behavior. Boys who are quiet and withdrawn are pathologized; girls who are quiet and withdrawn are “just shy.”

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