By Hillary Soltis
Research shows that many autistic girls are diagnosed later in life, not because their needs are fewer, but because their traits are often misunderstood, masked, or overlooked. Early Intervention ABA gives us a unique opportunity to change that trajectory. When we identify autistic girls earlier and support them with intentional, compassionate, evidence-based intervention, we strengthen communication, self-advocacy, and confidence long before their needs become invisible. Early intervention is not only about improving developmental outcomes, it is about altering life-course opportunities for autistic women by ensuring they are seen, supported, and understood from the beginning.
Studies confirm that autism in females often presents differently than in males: subtle social communication differences, masking behaviors, and less observable repetitive behaviors can all contribute to under-diagnosis or misdiagnosis. Early research on the lived experience of autistic women highlights challenges related to identity, mental health, and social expectations, underscoring the importance of early, tailored support.
ABA with young girls should emphasize autonomy, identity, and emotional safety. Girls are frequently socialized to mask or mimic neurotypical behaviors, which can lead to burnout, anxiety, or diminished self-esteem later in life. Early Intervention ABA can instead prioritize authentic communication, self-advocacy, choice-making, and sensory regulation. When therapists honor a child’s natural way of communicating, encourage self-directed interests, and collaborate with families to build skills that matter in real environments, ABA becomes a tool for empowerment, not conformity. Supporting girls early means supporting the adult women they will become.
This work is advocacy. To improve long-term outcomes for autistic women, systems must adapt, including research, diagnostic criteria, caregiver education, and clinical training. Growing evidence shows that diagnostic procedures might need revision to better detect autism in girls and women, including accounting for compensatory behaviors or camouflaging. The more we understand the unique ways autism presents in girls, the better equipped we are to design interventions that celebrate neurodiversity and strengthen quality of life across the lifespan. Early intervention is not the end of the story, it is the foundation for a future in which autistic women are recognized, valued, and heard.
Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network (AWN) — A nationally recognized advocacy organization run by autistic women and gender-diverse people. Provides community, lived-experience narratives, and resources for navigating diagnosis, identity, and support across the lifespan. https://awnnetwork.org
References
Cook J, Hull L, Mandy W. Improving Diagnostic Procedures in Autism for Girls and Women: A Narrative Review. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2024 Mar 7;20:505-514. doi: 10.2147/NDT.S372723. PMID: 38469208; PMCID: PMC10926859.
Milner, V., McIntosh, H., Colvert, E. et al. A Qualitative Exploration of the Female Experience of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). J Autism Dev Disord 49, 2389–2402 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-03906-4
Rynkiewicz A, Janas-Kozik M, Słopień A. Girls and women with autism. Psychiatr Pol. 2019 Aug 31;53(4):737-752. English, Polish. doi: 10.12740/PP/OnlineFirst/95098. Epub 2019 Aug 31. PMID: 31760407.
