Female gender and autism: underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis – clinical and scientific urgency

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by difficulties in communication and social interaction, along with restricted interests and repetitive behaviors. Symptom expression is highly heterogeneous, encompassing a wide range of functional impairments and levels of severity (1, 2). Epidemiological data indicate a higher prevalence of ASD among males than females. Some studies suggest that this apparent gender disparity is largely attributable to underdiagnosis and/or misdiagnosis in females, rather than a true lower incidence of the condition.