Psychological issues are widespread in Pakistan but are often overlooked. Mental illnesses are underdiagnosed, therapeutic interventions are not opted by the patients, going to the therapist is stigmatized. Amidst the poor mental health of the masses, females are even more marginalized than males because of less social support and underdiagnoses.

Due to lack of research in Pakistan, when it comes to Autism spectrum disorder, girls are often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed because the manifestation of autism is different for girls. Here are some symptoms to identify autism in girls.

• Selective Mutism

It is a condition when a person will opt out of talking in certain social situations. Selective mutism often co-occurs with autism but it is more common in girls than boys.

• Masking

Masking is a defense mechanism for girls with autism. In this condition, the individual rehearses their social scenarios in order to avoid being misunderstood.

• Exhaustion

Masking leads to exhaustion because pretending to be someone else is tiresome and it causes fatigue to the ones suffering from autism.

• Meltdowns

Masking leading to fatigue is manifested through meltdowns at the end of the day.

• Introverted

In most social situations, girls with autism will appear shy and toned down, when necessary they may mask to accommodate their survival strategy.

• Issues with eye contact

Girls with autism will exhibit poor eye contact just like boys with autism.

• Issues in eating

Autism is mostly coupled with sensory processing disorder which leads to picky eating or fussy eating by the individuals.

• Issues in interpersonal relations

Just like boys, girls have issues regarding interpersonal relations.