Early Autism Signs Look Similar in Girls and Boys, Global Study Finds
A large international study suggests that autism in toddlers may appear almost identically in girls and boys. Published in Nature Human Behaviour and summarized by Science News, the findings challenge long-held assumptions and could lead to more inclusive, earlier interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
The research addresses a key concern: gender-based disparities in diagnosis. Historically, ASD has been diagnosed more often in boys, with global estimates indicating about four boys for every girl. Critics argued that diagnostic criteria, often developed around male presentations, might underdetect autism in girls. The current study counters this by showing near-identical patterns across 18 measures—eye-tracking attention, language development, and basic self-care skills—among 2,618 children aged 1 to 4 years. The lead author, a neuroscientist and co-director of UC San Diego’s Autism Center of Excellence, noted the surprise at how little difference emerged across the assessments.