Which gender is typically reported in higher percentages among autism diagnoses?

Males are reported in higher percentages among autism diagnoses due to several factors related to the presentation and identification of the disorder. Research has consistently shown that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is diagnosed approximately four times more frequently in boys than in girls. One reason for this disparity may be linked to the differences in how symptoms manifest between genders.

Boys may display more overt symptoms of autism, such as difficulties in social interaction and more pronounced repetitive behaviors, making it easier for clinicians to identify. Conversely, girls may exhibit subtler signs or may even develop strategies to mask their difficulties, which can lead to underdiagnosis or later diagnosis. Furthermore, there may be biological and genetic factors influencing the prevalence of autism in boys compared to girls.

The other gender categories, such as non-binary and transgender, are less frequently addressed in the context of autism research and statistics, which primarily focus on the traditional binary understanding of gender. Thus, the robust evidence surrounding the significant difference in diagnosis between males and females supports the conclusion that boys are diagnosed with autism more often than girls.