Some girls are missed completely and never get the support they need. Girls may be better at imitating socially appropriate behaviors and tend to have fewer behavioral problems than boys.

When we were seeking a diagnosis for Ryley, we had to fight so hard. One doctor would say that girls don't get autism. One would say Ryley has a close emotional bond with her dad and me so she can't have autism. We quickly learned that it is not abnormal for girls to be affectionate, form connections and even be social. Did you know that Ryley has done several beauty pageants? She thrives and enjoys pageants. Yes, they can be a struggle but she honestly loves them. I feel the more sociable the girl the harder it is to get an official diagnosis.

Also, anxiety is a major issue with girls and boys but boys tend to blow up from anxiety more frequently and more severe. Where many girls with anxiety tend to cry or hold it in. Due to boys and girls' symptoms being very different and at different ends of severity, girls often get left behind unless their form of autism runs on the severe end. Girls with Aspergers tend to be the most difficult to get diagnosed.