Why are girls not diagnosed with autism, as GRIME, 37, reveals that it only learned that he is in the spectrum

At the age of 37, Grimes finally connects the points.

“It has been diagnosed [with] ADHD/Autism this year and realized that I am dyslexic, which is why I cannot spell it -without spells, “the Canadian singer has recently shared in X, reflecting on how a previous diagnosis could have affected his childhood.

Its revelation emphasizes a worrying tendency: autistic girls and women are often diagnosed much later in life, or at all. Here is everything you need to know about why so many fall for cracks.

The gender division

CDC data shows that about one in 36 north -American children have autism, with traditional estimates that indicate that the disorder is four times more common in boys than in girls.

However, experts are beginning to challenge this proportion, with recent research that suggests that about 80% of autistic women remain not diagnosed at the age of 18, according to UCLA Health.

Why the gap? Since there is no medical evidence for autism, doctors depend on the history and behavior of a person’s development for a diagnosis. But, since most autism research has traditionally focused on men, what we know about the disorder is largely based on how boys manifest.

When it comes to women, the way autism is presented is “not very obvious,” the Post told Dr. Sanjeev Kothare, director of Pediatric Neurology Division at the Medical Center for Cohen Children.

“In general, men have more serious communication and social problems, including repetitive behaviors and outsourcing problems such as ADHD,” Kothare said. “Women have less communication problems and repetitive behaviors, but they have more anxiety and depression.”

In fact, the girls in the spectrum may seem even ahead of their peers.

“Girls with autism often show language skills that may seem advanced for their age, which can ironically lead parents and teachers to overlook the possible concerns of development,” said Ralph Moller, director of operations beyond and beyond therapy.

Experts say that women with autism are also often more suitable for developing strategies to mask their autism features, which makes it more difficult for doctors to detect.

“When a girl shows difficulties with social relationships, but she has learned to mask -it is easy to say goodbye to her struggles as shyness or anxiety instead of signs of something else, including autism,” Moller added.

The consequences of late diagnosis

Although experts can identify autism from the age of 2 years, research suggests that girls often diagnose 18 months later than boys and are much more likely to receive a “late diagnosis” (at 13 or more).

Many women who are diagnosed later in life report that they never fit or that something was not “wrong”, which often leads to struggles with self -esteem, isolation, anxiety and depression, according to the Child Mind Institute.

Without a diagnosis, experts warn that spectrum girls often lose the life support that helps them understand their challenges and develop coping strategies, which may have durable negative effects later in life.

Signs of autism in women

According to Kothare, women adults with autism often retreat inside, struggling to maintain or initiate relationships and prefer solitude.

It often results from the difficulty of reading and responding to social directions, letting them feel anxious and aware of their behavior.

In addition, many women with autism self -evaluate due to sensory sensitivity, where the senses increased, such as smell, light, sound or touch, make it difficult to tolerate external triggers.

Autism can also affect the ability to keep organized, finish tasks or manage emotions. In childhood, girls with autism often develop intense interests, a trait that can continue until adulthood.

Repetitive behaviors, or “estimation”, are another key feature. While men may hit or hit hands, women’s estimation may seem more refined and socially acceptable, such as skin collection or hair rotation, according to UCLA Health.

Coxitent conditions, including anxiety, ADHD, depression, Toc and TIC disorders, are also more common in women, particularly those diagnosed later than life.

Signs of autism to monitor girls

In addition to adult traits, Moller said that girls with autism often have advanced language skills for their age, which can lead parents and teachers to overlook the possible concerns of development.

Imitating others is another common sign. Girls with autism can copy social behaviors, such as forcing them to contact their eyes because they have known that they are expected in neurotypical conversations.

Although this may facilitate the combination, maintaining this act can be drained. That is why, Moller said, it is common for spectrum girls to experience emotional deviations after returning home after social outings.

“If this happens once or twice, probably do not worry, but if these fusion becomes a trend and combine with other signs of autism, it could be worth paying close attention,” he said.