gender bias

Researchers are now realizing that autism and ADHD have been mostly understood through how they show up in boys, which has led to a real bias in diagnosis based on gender. The criteria for diagnosing autism were initially predicated predominantly on male behavior. As a result, a lot of girls and women with autism are not noticed. A lot of the time, autistic girls "mask" their differences or show them in less obvious ways, which can make them go undiagnosed or even get the wrong diagnosis.

The same goes for ADHD. ADHD often looks different in girls than in boys. For example, girls may daydream, forget things, or have trouble paying attention instead of being hyperactive. Studies show that boys are about twice as likely as girls to be diagnosed with ADHD when they are young. But by the time they reach adulthood, the numbers are the same, which suggests that a lot of girls are just missed when they are young. Girls with ADHD tend to keep their symptoms to themselves more, so they are less likely to be sent for evaluation and are often diagnosed later.

Experts say that this bias in diagnosis can make it harder to get help and hurt mental health. The good news is that more people are becoming aware of the problem. Doctors are learning to spot the less obvious, quieter signs of neurodivergence in girls. Doctors can find and diagnose these conditions earlier if they know that girls who are neurodivergent may act differently than boys. Finding it early is very important because it gives kids access to the help and resources they need to do well.