Does autism affect more boys or girls?

• A. Boys
• B. Girls
• C. Equal
• D. Not specified

Answer: (A)

Autism spectrum disorder is more commonly diagnosed in boys than in girls. Across many studies, the prevalence ratio is about four boys for every one girl, with estimates typically ranging from roughly three to five to one depending on the population and methods used. This difference reflects both a higher true prevalence in boys and factors that can make autism harder to recognize in girls—girls may show different symptom patterns, may mask difficulties more effectively, or be less often referred for evaluation. For clinicians and therapists, this means staying attuned to a broader range of presentations in girls and ensuring screening and assessment consider how autism may appear differently across sexes.