UC Davis To Study Autism In Girls

There’s a reason a lot of the autism research centers on boys, they’re diagnosed with the condition more often. UC Davis researcher Christine Wu Nordahl says for every one girl diagnosed, there are four to five boys. And she says the lack of research on girls can be frustrating for parents.

“Everything that’s out there is based on boys. And we know that two year old boys and girls are different," she says "So why would we think that two year old boys and girls with autism are the same?"

Wu Nordahl says recent evidence suggests girls with the condition have more genetic mutations than boys. But she says more research needs to be done.

The study at the University’s MIND Institute will enroll autistic girls between the ages of 2 and three and a half. Researchers hope to enroll about 100 girls during the next three years.