Sociological and Cultural Aspects of Autism - Gender Aspects

Gender Aspects

Autism is thought of as a condition mostly affecting males, with males up to four times more likely than females to be diagnosed with autism or Asperger syndrome. Females with autism spectrum disorders are "research orphans" according to Yale's Ami Klin; some drugs used to treat anxiety or hyperactivity that may accompany autism are rarely tested on females with autism. Autism may express differently in the sexes. Females may be more concerned with how they are viewed by peers and the failure to connect with people outside of their immediate family could lead to severe anxiety or clinical depression. Females with autism who have normal intelligence may be more socially disadvantaged than males because of the "rising level of social interaction that comes in middle school," when females' "friendships often hinge on attention to feelings and lots of rapid and nuanced communication." Females may suffer additionally by being placed in specialized educational programs, where they will be surrounded by males and further isolated from female social contacts. Although sample sizes are too small to draw firm conclusions, one study suggests that females are less likely than males over the long-term to marry, have families, go to college, have a job, and live on their own. Females may also be different from males in terms of interests; females with autism rarely have interests in numbers or have stores of specialized knowledge. The profile of autism may change as more is understood about females, whose autism may go undiagnosed.