The Female Autism Phenotype and Camouflaging: a Narrative Review

2020/01/29 by Laura Hull, K. V. Petrides, William Mandy · 13 citations
Medicine · Neuroscience · Psychology · #Autism Spectrum Disorder Research #Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders #Virology and Viral Diseases

paper · pdf · doi:10.1007/s40489-020-00197-9

openalex publication_date 2020/01/29 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29

Abstract

Abstract Autism is more commonly diagnosed in males than females. One explanation is the ‘female protective effect’: there is something inherent in being female which reduces the likelihood of developing autism. However, evidence suggests that the condition is underdiagnosed in females, perhaps because females express their autism in ways which do not meet current diagnostic criteria. This review explores evidence for a female-typical autism presentation, the Female Autism Phenotype (FAP) and the component of camouflaging (compensating for and masking autistic characteristics) in particular. The evidence so far supports the existence of a female-typical autism presentation, although further examination of the characteristics and their impact across all genders and ages is needed.

Citations

• Sex Differences in Autism Spectrum Disorder based on DSM-5 Criteria: Evidence from Clinician and Teacher Reporting
• Heritability of autism spectrum disorders: a meta‐analysis of twin studies

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