{"id":1529,"date":"2025-08-06T14:58:57","date_gmt":"2025-08-06T13:58:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.awesomearchie.co.uk\/?p=1529"},"modified":"2025-08-06T14:58:57","modified_gmt":"2025-08-06T13:58:57","slug":"you-spoke-we-listened-recognising-the-autistic-signals-in-girls-and-why-we-think-its-so-often-misdiagnosed-in-comparison-to-our-boys","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.awesomearchie.co.uk\/?p=1529","title":{"rendered":"You Spoke, We Listened. Recognising the “Autistic signals” in girls and why WE think it’s so often misdiagnosed In Comparison To Our Boys!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Archie and I are fortunate to be in regular contact with hundreds of neurodivergent families, multiple schools and thousands of online followers . We aim to answer their many questions and always give OUR honest opinion and advice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’m sure by now you know that there is NEVER a one size fits all situation and EVERY autistic person is completely unique. Although there are similarities and its those commonalities that are used for a formal diagnosis, the traits” present very differently in everyone. This why official diagnosis has to be done by very well qualified professionals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For decades, autism has been widely misunderstood by so many\u2014 and it feels like nowhere is this more evident than in the way we so often<\/em> miss or misinterpret the “signs” in girls. Despite the ever growing awareness, many autistic women and girls still go undiagnosed until adulthood, if at all. And by then, they\u2019ve often spent years struggling, masking, and wondering why things feel harder for them than everyone else. This was me!! I was also diagnosed with HFA when all along my anxiety is a byproduct of my AuDHD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So why does this happen? And more importantly \u2014 what can we do to understand ourselves (or our daughters, sisters, nieces, granddaughters, pupils) better?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Autism Was Historically Studied in Boys<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Much of the early research into autism was based on young boys, meaning that the diagnostic criteria and examples used for years have been “male-presenting” by default. The old fashioned classic signs \u2014 like intense interests in trains or lining up toys \u2014 don\u2019t always reflect how autism might look in girls even today!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Newer studies are suggesting that girls often present VERY differently. Their autistic “traits” can often be more internal<\/strong>, less “disruptive”, ( sorry for the negative language, I mean no offence) and more emotionally complex. As a result, many professionals simply don\u2019t <\/em>recognise them<\/em> or see them as something else. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Girls Are Often The Masters of Masking – I Mask Every Day!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many autistic girls (and women) become expert social<\/strong> chameleons<\/strong>. From a young age, we have had to learn to copy others, mimic behaviours, and rehearse \u201cscripts\u201d to get through social situations. I did this all through my adolescence but I didn’t even know I was doing it! It was only as we learned about the boys diagnosis we could see the similarities and struggles .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the outside, we may seem chatty, friendly, or even popular( I know, big headed!) \u2014 but inside, we are so often exhausted, anxious, or confused by the constant effort it takes to \u201cfit in.\u201d This is why I try not to fit in any more and adapt my surroundings to be with mostly neurodivegent people or those with a great understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For little girls this masking<\/strong> can hide their challenges so effectively that even teachers, parents, or doctors may not see the signs. But masking doesn\u2019t mean a person is coping \u2014 it often means they\u2019re trying to survive. THIS IS NOT SUSTAINABLE!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Struggles Are Often Mislabelled<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Instead of being identified as autistic, many girls are diagnosed with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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