If you are passionate about neurodiversity and inclusive technology, you will appreciate the National Geographic article That sheds light on how our understanding of autism is evolving, particularly as it relates to gender differences.
Recent studies show that autism diagnoses have increased 175% in the last decade, with the largest increase among women, girls and young adults between 24 and 36 years old. This new research is changing the way we understand autism, especially its presentation in women.
According to research, girls and women often receive an autism diagnosis later in life and require more evaluations than boys. While they can handle basic social interactions like short conversations, they may have difficulty with complex social situations like maintaining friendships. Their special interests might center on things like ponies or fashion, rather than the trains and computers traditionally associated with autism.
The traditional view that autism affects boys more than girls (4:1 ratio) is being challenged. Researchers believe this ratio may be inaccurate since autism was historically studied primarily in boys, leading to missed diagnoses in girls. The article shares the story of Serenity Kiser, who was not diagnosed until age 48, despite showing clear signs of autism in childhood.
New research suggests that autism is not about an inability to communicate, but rather a different way of experiencing and communicating. Autistic people process sensory information differently, which can cause them to feel overwhelmed by too much information. However, this different way of processing also allows them to experience parts of the world with remarkable depth and clarity.
Understanding these differences is crucial for better diagnosis and support. Instead of viewing behaviors like stimming (repetitive movements) as problems to be solved, researchers now recognize them as important self-regulation tools. This changing perspective helps us better understand and support autistic people of all genders.
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Fountain: national geography, Apple+ News (subscription required for both)
A potential tool for increasing accessibility, Claude was used as a research and writing aid for this blog post. Do you think this is an appropriate use of chatGPT? Why or why not? Let me know!
