Reviewed by the Ridge RTC Clinical Team

Is my teenage daughter autistic? You can’t know without a formal assessment. But asking the question is an essential first step in getting her help if she needs it. 

A shocking 80% of autistic girls go undiagnosed by their 18th birthday, thus missing out on the many benefits of early intervention and support. So if you’ve got concerns, it’s worth exploring the possibility and preventing a missed or delayed autism diagnosis. 

The Ridge RTC is proud to serve as a resource for teen mental health and neurodiversity support. Below, we’re covering the unique signs of autism in girls that parents need to know about, plus sharing some insight on when it’s time to seek professional help. Read on for the basics, and get in touch if you’d like to discuss your concerns more directly. 

Table of Contents: 

• Why Autism Looks Different in Girls
• Most Common Autism Signs in Girls
• Misdiagnoses and Overlooked Symptoms of ASD in Teens
• When to Get Help
• My Daughter Thinks She’s Autistic: Now What?
• Teen Treatment at The Ridge RTC

Why Autism Looks Different in Girls

One reason girls get diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) less often and later in life than boys is that the disorder doesn’t show up the same in both genders. 

Compared to boys, girls are:

• More likely to mask their symptoms by mimicking their peers
• More likely to internalize and hide their struggles
• More likely to appear outwardly depressed or anxious
• More likely to seem at ease in social settings

Symptoms of ASD in teens vary widely depending on where an individual is on the spectrum, and gender itself may play a role in how the disorder develops in the brain. All this results in autism rarely looking the same from person to person – and makes it hard to spot the disorder in teen girls if you don’t know what you’re looking for. 

Most Common Autism Signs in Girls

When it comes to autism in teenage girls, there are several signs to watch for:

• Difficulty reading social cues or maintaining friendships
• Intense hyperfocus on specific interests
• Sensory sensitivities (for example, with clothing, noise, or textures)
• Frequent emotional overwhelm or meltdowns

If your daughter is presenting with one or more of these symptoms, it doesn’t mean she definitely has autism. It does suggest, however, that there’s something going on worthy of your attention, especially if your daughter’s symptoms are interfering with her well-being and ability to function in everyday life. 

Misdiagnoses and Overlooked Symptoms of ASD in Teens

Because girls don’t always seem stereotypically autistic, their symptoms get brushed aside or assumed to be something else. Typical misdiagnoses for teen girls with ASD include anxiety,  attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), personality disorders, and mood disorders. 

With high-functioning autism, girls may have strong academic skills that effectively hide their underlying struggles. Likewise, they may hold it together all day at school, only to break down the moment they get home. Parents can feel like they’re imagining things when they voice concerns to their daughter’s teachers, only to hear that she seems fine in the classroom. It’s a dizzying experience, and one that can prevent proper and timely autism diagnoses in girls of all ages. 

When to Get Help

Early support makes a huge difference, so trust your instincts. 

We recommend reaching out to an autism specialist if your daughter is unable to form friendships, is struggling with daily tasks, or is suffering extreme distress. A thorough assessment offers clarity about what’s going on, and gets the ball rolling if necessary on the therapy and structure your daughter needs to thrive in her teen years and into adulthood. 

My Daughter Thinks She is Autistic: Now What?

We hear it often from parents: My daughter thinks she is autistic and I don’t know what to do.

Or: my daughter thinks she is autistic, but I don’t. 

If it’s your daughter raising the alarm bells, you should take her concerns seriously. Follow the same advice above regarding when to seek help, and show your daughter that not only will you be there for her, but you’ll be her biggest advocate. 

Teen Treatment at The Ridge RTC

You’re not going to find a clear “yes” or “no” answer when you ask, is my teenage daughter autistic?, online. 

What you will find, hopefully, is reassurance that you are not alone. Many families are searching for the same thing, and many resources exist to provide your daughter with appropriate and long-lasting support if that’s the right course of action. 

At The Ridge RTC, we offer residential programs tailored to teen girls with autism, with a strong emphasis on emotional regulation, social connection, and family involvement. Explore our website to learn more about autism-focused care for teenage girls, and please do not hesitate to reach out if you want more information on our services, treatment approach, or admissions. The Ridge RTC clinical and medical team includes qualified counselors, clinical specialists, and board-certified psychiatrists with extensive experience in adolescent mental health treatment. Visit the Team page to learn more.