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Study Reveals Equal Autism Diagnosis Rates for Genders by 20

2/5/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A Karolinska Institutet study shows that autism diagnosis rates are nearly equal for females and males by age 20.
The study tracked 2.7 million individuals born between 1985 and 2020.
In childhood, boys are diagnosed up to four times more often than girls.
Systemic biases in diagnosis contribute to underdiagnosis of autistic girls because of masking behaviors.

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Story summary

A Karolinska Institutet study shows that autism diagnosis rates are nearly equal for females and males by age 20.
The study tracked 2.7 million individuals born between 1985 and 2020.
In childhood, boys are diagnosed up to four times more often than girls.
Systemic biases in diagnosis contribute to underdiagnosis of autistic girls because of masking behaviors.