Autism Article Round-Up: March 2020

Girls and autism: Why are so many going undiagnosed?
Research suggests disorder often manifests differently in girls with many missing out on vital support
by Michelle McBride
March 3, 2020

Research suggests that four times as many boys than girls have autism, with that ratio dropping to twice as many when an intellectual disability is taken into account, but some now also believe that not all girls with autism are being diagnosed.

Kirsten Hurley, lecturer in autism studies in UCC, was 22 when she was diagnosed with autism and agrees that masking can be exhausting.

Before she received her diagnosis, Hurley struggled in school and college and felt there was something wrong with her. She was a bright student, but her behaviour served to frustrate her teachers as opposed to flag her autism.

The lower number of girls diagnosed with autism limits the impact they have on how autism is understood.

“If you have a group of people for a study and most of them are male and you derive your understanding of autism from that group of people, then you have criteria completely skewed towards the male aspects of autism,” says Hurley.

Other studies indicate the existence of gender bias. The research shows that girls were less likely to receive a diagnosis even if their symptoms were as severe as boys.

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Vans Celebrates People on the Autism Spectrum with New Sensory Friendly Footwear
by Elizabeth Nelson



It’s common for people with autism (and sometimes even people who are not on the spectrum) to be sensitive to sensory input. This manifests itself in different ways for different people, but it’s common for people with autism to dislike loud noises and particular textures in their food or clothing. There may be other textures and visual effects, however, that they find particularly pleasing and can’t get enough of.

With their new line of shoes, Vans hopes to cater to this sensory-sensitive group by taking away the negative sensory stimuli that are commonly found in footwear (such as tags and seams that can poke the foot) and add positive ones instead.