Autism in Girls and Boys: What’s the Difference?

Autistic spectrum disorders manifest differently in each person, and there are gender-specific differences in symptoms. Girls, for instance, may be disorganized, struggle with emotional control or focus, but in such cases, parents and even specialists often assume that the cause is “normal” stress or personality traits.

There is a clear difference in symptoms when it comes to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which leads to incorrect or missed diagnoses for girls.

• Boys are more likely to behave overly assertively and impulsively, and this behavior is easier to notice.
• Girls, on the other hand, often experience inattention, emotional sensitivity, and anxiety, but are less likely to share their feelings.

It’s also important to note that girls are often criticized for being disorganized or unable to multitask. As a result, they face pressure from society, including from their closest family members, who cannot understand the nature of the problem.

It’s possible that the prevalence of autism among girls and boys is similar, and the difference in statistics can be explained by diagnostic shortcomings. Additionally, traditionally, the condition in boys has been studied first, with diagnostic criteria developed based on their characteristics, leading to the impression that autism occurs much less often in girls. Furthermore, the alarming symptoms in boys’ behavior are immediately noticeable, while girls tend to exhibit signs of inattention, such as daydreaming, forgetfulness, or concentration difficulties, which have less of a disruptive impact on their personality and are often mistaken for laziness, carelessness, or mere distraction. As a result, autism is often only diagnosed in adulthood, after years of struggling to meet societal expectations.

Autism in girls often goes unnoticed because, for example, they may perform well academically, which masks their difficulties. These children may behave very differently at school, where they follow socially acceptable behavior due to their desire to plan and execute tasks perfectly, compared to at home. Emotional control can lead to positive results, but these results are usually short-lived, and in the long term, may lead to emotional exhaustion and burnout. This is even more likely since many autistic girls suffer from low self-esteem, feelings of guilt, or a sense of being “not good enough.” When these feelings become constant, they lead to depression.

Most Common Autism Symptoms in Girls

• Issues with attention, including during conversations, forgetfulness, and avoiding the immediate completion of important tasks.
• Difficulty managing emotions, with overwhelming feelings of disappointment, anger, or sadness that seem insurmountable.
• Chronic disorganization: such children leave things scattered around or constantly misplace them.
• Perfectionism, which is a way to compensate for the disorder’s symptoms but can lead to burnout.
• Inability to say no, due to a reluctance to let others down, even while experiencing their own emotional struggles.

With appropriate support and strategies, autism can be corrected. This may involve medication, cognitive behavioral therapy, other psychological support methods, and lifestyle changes—such as sports, a balanced diet, and maintaining a sleep routine. However, these may not be sufficient, especially if the disorder is diagnosed late.

Cell Therapy as a Solution for Autism

It is now proven that the best positive changes can be achieved through cell therapy. This natural method helps overcome or minimize autism symptoms. It involves stem cell transplantation, where stem cells transform into healthy counterparts of damaged cells and replace them, allowing the brain and nervous system to function properly soon after.

This innovative, safe, and highly effective procedure, providing long-term results, is offered at leading clinics around the world, including the Mardaleishvili Medical Center. The center is equipped with modern technology and staffed by highly experienced specialists in stem cell transplantation for treating autism. Its services are offered at a lower cost than in other countries, and patients also benefit from assistance with travel planning, accommodation, and other related matters.

Cell therapy is real help for autism, regardless of the patient’s gender!