In China, autism is often dubbed “the lonely disease.” In Japan, the native term translates to “intentionally shut.” This global perception frequently casts autistic individuals as detached, socially unadept, and solitary. The common view suggests they not only lack the innate social intuition crucial for successful interaction but also possess no desire to cultivate it. Furthermore, there’s a persistent, yet often inaccurate, stereotype that autism primarily affects men.
For many years, researchers, myself among them, operated under the assumption that autism was a condition predominantly observed in males. Our studies focused on boys and men, gradually shaping what we believed was a clear understanding of autism. So we thought. This singular focus, however, meant we were overlooking a substantial segment of the autistic population.
We now understand that a significant part of the picture remained unseen for far too long. This oversight not only meant failing to identify autism in a considerable number of women and girls, thereby denying them crucial diagnosis and support, but also led to the profound realization that the autistic female brain operates differently from the male brain. This divergence is particularly apparent in areas of social motivation and behavior. Consequently, a new portrait of autism in girls is emerging, compelling a fundamental reassessment of previously held assumptions.
Understanding the Core Characteristics of Autism
Autism is characterized as a neurodevelopmental condition, typically identified by the age of five. The established diagnostic criteria broadly define it by “persistent difficulties with social communication and social interaction” alongside “restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviors, activities or interests to the extent that these limit and impair everyday functioning.” These are the foundational markers used to identify the condition.
According to estimates from the World Health Organization, approximately 1 percent of children globally are identified as autistic. However, this figure may represent an incomplete picture, particularly when considering the historical underdiagnosis in females.