Autism in Girls - Talbert Zoo

Autism in girls is a topic of great interest. It is estimated that five percent of autism spectrum disorders in children are females. While some cases of autism in males have also been identified, these are often so severe that they are quickly put into remission or treatment. Because females are more likely to be diagnosed at an earlier age and given better care by the medical community, the number of cases has been steadily increasing.

autism in girls

Symptoms of autism in girls can include general socialization problems, such as poor eye contact and responses to social stimuli. Children with autism will often respond to their environment and will not gain the same ease with strangers or other children. They often show a lack of ability to function in relationships or form friendships. While some autistic individuals are extremely bright, others will struggle with learning difficulties or even have learning disabilities.

One of the first symptoms of autism in girls is the extreme preference for sameness among friends. Children with autism will have frequent tantrums if they are left alone or are criticized by other children. They will also be very sensitive to criticism and have great difficulties making any type of connection between what they are doing and why others think they are doing it.

While these symptoms may seem unappealing, there are actually many benefits to having autism in a child. Because of the extreme preference for sameness, the disorder can help a child in learning basic social skills. These skills are essential in adolescence and should remain stable throughout life.

In addition, another symptom of autism in girls is apparent in the frequency with which they exhibit repetitive behavior. Girls with autism show increased levels of hand flicking and other types of such movements. Also, they will likely spend a great deal of time building repetitive patterns, which will then become incorporated into daily life.

If you believe your daughter may have autism, you will need to carefully examine her behavior. First, note if she is excessively or infrequently talkative. Many children exhibit this symptom as a way to communicate with you, but it is also a way to release pent up emotions. As such, if she is not talking often, this should raise some flags. Look for attempts to form connections and relationships or repeated demands that you take the lead in dealing with her.

Another sign of autism in girls is irritability. This is also seen in boys but usually only in a mild form. It can be triggered by stress and family dynamics, and is part of the autism spectrum. Some autistic girls will even have problems with specific social situations like speaking with friends or eating in public. Irritability can also be expressed as anger, hostility, or sadness.

If you think your daughter may have autism, you should be sure to get an early diagnosis. Doing so will help alleviate the symptoms associated with autism. Your doctor can run various tests to rule out neurological conditions such as migraine headaches, nerve damage from brain tumors, or diabetes. He can also do a physical examination and elicit details from you about your daughter’s diet, lifestyle, and home habits. You can take her to see her pediatrician at once to confirm the diagnosis. Autism is no joke and can have severe ramifications if left untreated or not diagnosed quickly.

The main reason why girls are more likely to be afflicted with autism is because they grow up with families that don’t offer them much independence as they grow older. Other causes can include genetic predisposition as well as imbalances in brain chemicals, or the presence of other mental health issues. There is no known treatment for autism in girls but there are a number of treatment options available for boys. In some cases, doctors will opt for holistic approaches to dealing with symptoms.

One effective way to help alleviate symptoms is to distract the patient. This can be done with special games or with talking to the patient about their favorite pastimes, or by simply being quiet and sitting quietly with them. They need to be allowed a chance to process their feelings and thoughts without constant stimulation and encouragement from the doctor or care provider. Limiting social activities can also be helpful.

For some children, autism can be managed with therapies geared specifically towards that issue. For others, however, it may require years of therapy and the expertise of an autism specialist. Managing symptoms in autistic girls is a big challenge, but it can be done. For more information, contact your local autism professional today.