Nightline Story

GIRLS WITH AUTISM ON "NIGHTLINE"
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23rd

On Wednesday, Nightline continues its series on autism by exploring the relatively rare occurrence of girls with autism. In the U.S., far more boys than girls are diagnosed with autism. That fact alone has consequences: it tends to focus most of the research, effort, and money on boys. But in a surprising twist, correspondent John Donvan and producer Caren Zucker talk to several researchers and psychologists who believe there are actually more girls with autism in the U.S. than diagnosed. Not only may there be many under-diagnosed girls, according to these experts, but some girls with autism may be assigned some other diagnosis. In fact these girls are often being under-diagnosed or diagnosed with something else. The researchers believe that many of the symptoms are being missed, or that they are just more subtle in girls. Nightline takes an in-depth look at how girls and boys are brought up culturally, and how these differences could contribute to a misdiagnosis in girls, resulting in the harsh reality that we just don't know how many cases of girls with autism really exist.

Brenda Smith, a psychologist, suggests girls with autism can fake "normal," because girls in general get more lessons than boys in how to behave. Smith tells Nightline, "They are told not to get angry, to be nice, they are told to share, all of those behaviors." She goes on to say, "It's more appropriate if you will for a boy to have a tantrum and major meltdown than a girl."

John Donvan talked to 14-year old Victoria Roma, about the differences between girls and boys with autism:

Donvan: Do you think it is more challenging for a girl with autism than a boy?

Roma: "It's really harder to hook up with friends, especially the neighborhood kids."

Donvan: Harder for girls than boys?

Roma: "Yeah."

Donvan: Why would that be?

Roma: "Because girls are concerned about how the world thinks of them, less than boys."

Donvan: What are the things that are challenging for you?

Roma: "I feel like I'm thinking but I'm not thinking at all. And also, it's a challenge for me to be aware of everything; am I flapping? Was that a joke I just heard? Should I be laughing? Should I not be laughing? Should I be serious at this time? Can I be a little silly at this time? You know..."


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Nightline's in-depth report on girls with autism airs on ABC News World News with Charles Gibson at 6:30pm (ET) and then on Nightline, Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at 11:35pm (ET/PT).