Thousands of GIRLS may have undiagnosed autism because they

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Thousands of GIRLS may have undiagnosed autism because they can hide the signs better than boys

Figures show that boys are nine times more likely to develop the condition than girls and experts assumed this was due to genetic differences

But experts now believe girls are simply better at hiding certain symptoms - such as being able to recognise people's emotions as happy, sad or fearful

This is dangerous because left untreated, these girls may be prone to eating disorders and depression later in life

By SOPHIE BORLAND
PUBLISHED: 12:38 EST, 14 November 2013 | UPDATED: 12:39 EST, 14 November 2013

Thousands of girls may have autism that has never been diagnosed because they cover-up the signs so well, researchers believe.
Figures show that boys are nine times more likely to develop the condition than girls and experts assumed this was due to genetic differences.
But research by University College London and Bristol Universities suggests many more females may have the condition than previously because they mask the tell-tale signs.
The findings have prompted concern that girls are missing out on key treatment and therapy that is leaving them prone to eating disorders and depression later on.
Figures show that 1.8 per cent of boys have been diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder - which also includes Asperger's - compared to 0.2 per cent of girls.
Some scientists believe this is due to genetic differences between the sexes and they have found several 'flaws' in the men's genes which could trigger the condition.


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And here is a book that claims that AS is overdiagnosed, particularly in little boys by feminists trying to criminalize and pathologize behavior that used to be considered normal for them:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C0A ... reoneve-20

Is it true? I don't know. What it does suggest is that girls being under-diagnosed is hardly established fact.

no more "boys will be boys"?

I can believe it, especially since girls may have less "stereotypical" traits. I would have flown under the radar myself if it wasn't for a bout of severe depression and feeling suicidal as a teenager.

I don't know how I got missed. I was flat-out bizarre until about age 13. I was obsessed with history, had godawful hygiene, illegible handwriting, no friends and not much interest in having them except as someone to talk about history with and play history dress-up. I took kids literally when they were teasing me because I thought everybody always meant what they said. I made the neighborhood kids play history and opera plots with me. I chewed on my shoelaces and jacket drawstrings and pens and pencils and bit my fingernails down to the quick and danced my fingers around on my desk (still do this). All I got diagnosed with was "mild ADD".

My mother filled out an autism questionnaire (after diagnosis as being in denial) and except for speech-delay I had red-flag highscores in all areas.
People thought that I was just extremely shy (because apparently though I had ability to speak I never shared information as a child/teenager and now I do rarely, but now I know that people want one to share information, so I am trying, except when I talk about an area of special interest than I can over-talk a bit).

I actually question the assertion that girls can hide it better.

Rather, I would say that autistic behaviors are not taken as seriously in girls, and many of these behaviors are probably viewed differently because people really do view boys' behavior differently than girls' behavior.

I was very shy and mute for 10 yrs of my childhood, how I didnt get diagnosed, I dont know. I didnt get the diagnosis till I was 18 and no longer mute and pretty much knew nothing socially.