Hidden Triggers That Could Unravel the Mystery of Autism Spectrum Disorder

5. Gender

One of the most persistent myths about autism is that it primarily affects boys. While autism diagnoses are more common in boys, this disparity is largely due to differences in symptom presentation and historical research biases. Early studies focused almost exclusively on boys, leading to diagnostic criteria that overlooked how autism manifests in girls. While boys may exhibit external symptoms like meltdowns and fixations on trains or numbers, autistic girls are more likely to internalize their experiences. A girl struggling with sensory overload may withdraw rather than act out, leading to misdiagnosis or complete oversight. Girls may also develop intense fixations on socially accepted topics, such as fashion or animals, making their special interests less noticeable. Recognizing these variations is crucial to ensuring that all autistic individuals receive the support they need.

6. Siblings With The Condition

Children with an older sibling on the autism spectrum are significantly more likely to be diagnosed themselves. Research suggests a 14-fold increase in autism risk among younger siblings of autistic children compared to those with neurotypical siblings. This heightened likelihood exists regardless of whether the child is born prematurely or at full term. In studies examining sibling diagnoses, boys with an autistic older sibling were more likely to receive diagnoses than girls. However, since autism is underdiagnosed in girls, the true sibling correlation may be higher than reported. Genetic predisposition and shared environmental influences likely contribute to this familial pattern.