A new study based on an analysis of over 338,000 medical records reveals that while autism diagnoses are happening earlier for young children, especially boys, many girls continue to face significant delays.

Conducted by Epic Research, the analysis found that the median age of diagnosis for all children dropped from seven to six between 2015 and 2024. This trend was particularly notable for boys, whose median age of diagnosis fell from seven to five. Nearly half of all boys in the study received a diagnosis before age five in 2024.

The Persistent Gender Gap

In stark contrast, the study showed no similar shift for girls, with their median age of diagnosis remaining at about eight. Only one-third of girls received a diagnosis before age five. This diagnostic gap continues into adulthood, where one in four women are not diagnosed until after age 19, compared to only one in eight men.

According to experts, this disparity is a serious concern because early intervention is crucial. Therapies and support services for autism, like speech and occupational therapy, are most effective when started early in life.

Why the Delay?

One potential reason for the diagnostic delay in girls is that their symptoms may be more subtle or focused on socially typical topics, making them harder to recognize. For families seeking help, experts recommend reaching out to schools or state-run early intervention programs and consulting credible sources like the CDC for reliable information. The story of from abc NEWS.