Why Do Mental Health Issues in Autistic Girls Go Unnoticed?
Mental health challenges that occur alongside autism in girls often go unnoticed, which delays necessary support. Understanding why these struggles are harder to identify can help parents and professionals provide better care.
How Masking in Autistic Girls Hides Mental Health Struggles
It is very common for autistic teen girls to mask their struggles by mirroring the neurotypical behaviors of their peers, such as:
- Copying facial expressions and social scripts
- Forcing eye contact despite discomfort
- Suppressing natural self-soothing behaviors
While masking can help them socially, it leads to exhaustion, anxiety, and burnout and makes mental health challenges harder to see. As one article explains, “Autistic girls can often ‘pass’ the assessment of signs and symptoms doctors are looking for to give a diagnosis. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t struggling” (Connections Child and Family Center, 2019). This ability to "pass" can delay proper diagnosis and support, increasing the risk of anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges.
Why Autism Symptoms in Girls Are Mistaken for Personality Traits
Struggles related to autism are often mistaken for personality traits:
- “She’s just shy.” → May struggle with social communication and sensory overload.
- “She’s a perfectionist.” → Could be dealing with anxiety and rigid thinking.
- “She’s quiet and mature.” → Might prefer solitude due to social difficulties.
- “She’s a picky eater.” → May have sensory sensitivities to food.
These misconceptions make it difficult to intervene early.
Common Mental Health Conditions That Co-Occur with Autism
The following mental health conditions commonly co-occur with autism but are often mistaken for general stress:
- Anxiety from sensory overload and social challenges
- Depression from chronic masking and feeling different
- Obsessive-compulsive behaviors as coping mechanisms
- Eating disorders linked to sensory sensitivities or control needs
Recognizing the relationship between autism and mental health challenges is vital to finding and providing effective treatment and support.
Support That Understands Autism in Girls
Many autistic girls struggle with anxiety, depression, and feeling misunderstood. If you’re looking for a program that truly understands her needs, call us to learn more about Discovery Ranch South.
Key Signs of Mental Health Struggles in Autistic Teen Girls
As autism is a wide spectrum, mental health challenges manifest in different ways among autistic teen girls. Understanding these signs is crucial for early intervention and having the right support. As Autism Awareness Australia (n.d.) states, “The constant effort to cope with an environment that often feels overwhelming can lead to significant anxiety” and other mental health challenges.
Emotional Signs
- Increased Anxiety in Social Situations: Autistic girls may experience heightened anxiety, particularly in social settings, due to challenges in interpreting social cues and fear of making mistakes.
- Persistent Sadness or Mood Swings: They might exhibit prolonged periods of sadness or frequent mood fluctuations, which can be indicative of underlying depression.
- Emotional Shutdowns: Difficulty expressing emotions may lead to withdrawal or emotional shutdowns, where the individual becomes unresponsive or disengaged.
Behavioral Signs
- Increased Masking or Social Withdrawal: To fit in, autistic girls often mask their authentic behaviors, leading to social exhaustion and eventual withdrawal from interactions.
- Intensified Rigid Thinking Patterns: A heightened need for routine and predictability can increase inflexibility and distress when faced with changes.
- Escalating Perfectionism or Obsessive Tendencies: A desire for control or fear of failure may manifest as perfectionism or obsessive behaviors.
- Self-Harming Behaviors: Behaviors like scratching, skin picking, or hair pulling can develop as coping mechanisms for overwhelming emotions.
Physical Signs
- Frequent Unexplained Physical Complaints: Regular headaches, stomachaches, or fatigue without a clear medical cause can be physical manifestations of emotional distress.
- Altered Sleep Patterns: Insomnia, excessive sleeping, or nightmares may indicate anxiety or depression.
- Unusual Eating Habits: Changes in appetite or increased sensitivity to food textures can be linked to emotional challenges.
Communication and Social Signs
- Avoidance of Eye Contact: Increased reluctance to make eye contact can signal discomfort or anxiety in social interactions.
- Expressing Feelings of Being Different: Verbalizing a sense of not fitting in, yet struggling to articulate the reasons, is common.
- Sudden Social Withdrawal: Pulling away from friends or social activities they previously enjoyed can be a red flag.
It's important to note that these signs may differ from those observed in neurotypical peers. Early recognition and understanding of these signs are essential for providing the appropriate support and interventions to improve the well-being of autistic teen girls.
How Mental Health Challenges in Autistic Teens Differ from Neurotypical Teens
While some mental health symptoms in ASD kids appear similar to neurotypical kids, the underlying manifestations and causes are often quite different. Knowing how mental health challenges present differently in autistic teens is needed to provide appropriate support and intervention.
Autistic Burnout vs. Depression: Key Differences and Signs
Autistic burnout can closely resemble depression but there are some important differences.
“Autistic burnout is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic life stress and a mismatch of expectations and abilities without adequate support” (Raymaker et al., 2021).
Autistic burnout often involves:
- Loss of previously mastered skills
- Increased sensory processing difficulty
- Extreme fatigue after social interactions or masking
- Temporary communication challenges
- Strong need for solitude
- Improvement with reduced demands and sensory input
Depression typically involves:
- Persistent low mood
- Loss of interest in activities
- Consistent negative thought patterns
- Changes in appetite and sleep not linked to external demands
- No significant improvement with reduced social interaction
Social WIthdrawal vs. Social Anxiety in Autistic Teens: What’s the Difference?
When autistic teens withdraw socially, the underlying reasons often differ from social anxiety:
Autistic social withdrawal often stems from:
- Sensory and social exhaustion from masking
- Need for processing time and recovery
- Difficulty managing multiple social interactions
- Preference for solitude that isn't anxiety-based
- May feel relief and restoration when alone
Social anxiety typically involves:
- Fear of judgment or negative evaluation
- Physical symptoms of anxiety in social situations
- The desire for social connection despite fear
- Persistent worry about future social interactions
- Distress about being alone
The Link Between Sensory Processing and Mental Health in Autistic Teens
Sensory challenges can significantly affect an autistic teen's mental health in ways that might not be immediately apparent:
Sensory-related emotional distress may include:
- Sudden mood changes in response to environmental stimuli
- Emotional outbursts that seem disproportionate but are linked to sensory overload
- Anxiety that increases in specific sensory environments
- Physical symptoms (headaches, nausea) triggered by sensory input
- Exhaustion from constantly managing sensory experiences
Sensory sensitivities can trigger anxiety and emotional distress. Many autistic teens experience sensory overload in social settings, leading to withdrawal or masking. Addressing these challenges can improve emotional well-being and reduce mental health struggles.
How Executive Functioning Challenges Affect Mental Health in Autistic Teens
Mental health challenges in autistic teens often intersect with executive functioning differences:
- Difficulty initiating tasks may look like depression but stem from executive challenges
- Problems with organization might be mistaken for anxiety
- Time management struggles can create stress that appears similar to ADHD
- Emotional regulation difficulties may be related to executive functioning rather than
- mood disorders
Since executive functioning affects emotional regulation, difficulties in this area may be mistaken for mood disorders. For example, trouble starting tasks can resemble depression, while poor organization may contribute to anxiety. Understanding these differences helps ensure autistic teens receive appropriate interventions.
Helping Your Daughter Thrive Starts Here
If you’re considering residential care for your teen, we’re here to answer your questions and explore if Discovery Ranch South is the right fit. Call today to start the conversation.
How Parents Can Support Autistic Teens with Mental Health Challenges
Supporting your daughter through her mental health challenges can be stressful, but you can make a meaningful difference in her life.
- Open Conversations: Create a safe space for your teen to communicate with you in ways that feel natural to them, without fear of judgment.
- Seek Professional Evaluations: Look for specialists who are experienced in both autism and mental health.
- Find the Right Therapist: Look for professionals who understand autism in girls and use approaches that respect and support your teen’s unique strengths.
- Consider Practical Support Systems: explore school accommodations, peer support groups, and structured coping strategies to help your teen manage daily challenges.
Why Discovery Ranch South is the Right Choice for Autistic Teen Girls
At Discovery Ranch South, we specialize in helping autistic teen girls who struggle with their mental and behavioral health. Our experienced team provides individualized therapeutic support, academic accommodations, and a structured environment to help them build confidence, emotional regulation skills, and resilience.