Early autism diagnosis more frequent in boys, analysis reveals, while many girls face delayed diagnoses for several years
Article: Delayed Diagnosis of Autism in Girls
A major analysis of medical records has revealed an earlier diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in young children, particularly in boys. However, the study also highlights a concerning discrepancy in the diagnosis of girls, with many still facing significant delays.
Dr. Catherine Lord, a psychiatrist at UCLA, emphasizes the importance of early interventions for autistic children. She expresses concerns about the missed opportunities for early support due to these delays.
The study, conducted by Epic Research, the data and analytics arm of Epic Systems, reviewed records from over 338,000 patients who received their first ASD diagnosis between 2015 and 2024. The analysis found that for boys, the median age dropped from 7 years old in 2015 to 5 years old in 2024, with nearly half diagnosed before age 5 in 2024. In contrast, only about one-third of girls were diagnosed before age 5, and the disparity persisted into adulthood. The median age at diagnosis for all children fell from 7 years old in 2015 to 6 years old in 2024.
The diagnostic gap between boys and girls is due to several factors. Females with ASD often exhibit milder symptoms, making them less likely to meet traditional diagnostic thresholds designed mostly from male-centric data. Girls may also use social camouflaging strategies, which mask autistic behaviors and delay clinical identification. These factors, combined with diagnostic and societal biases, contribute to girls with autism being diagnosed later than boys.
Early detection of ASD is crucial as therapies, school accommodations, and interventions are most effective when started early in life. Early signs of autism can include limited eye contact, not responding to their name, delayed speech, repetitive behaviors, intense or unusual interests, and distress over changes in routine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In girls, early signs may be harder to notice or focused on socially typical topics, which can delay recognition.
For families facing barriers to diagnosis, Dr. Lord recommends seeking evaluations through schools, contacting state-run early intervention programs for children under age three, and relying on credible sources such as the CDC, Autism Speaks, and the Autism Science Foundation for more information. She emphasizes that early interventions can speed up learning and prevent later anxiety and depression for autistic children and their families.
Improving diagnostic tools and training to better recognize female ASD traits and reduce diagnostic delays is essential. Early screenings recommended at 18 and 24 months are critical but can be less effective for girls due to subtler symptom presentation.
Delayed diagnosis in girls may result in untreated challenges during crucial developmental windows, potentially affecting their long-term developmental trajectory. Therefore, it is crucial to raise awareness and promote early detection and intervention for girls with autism.
