Diagnosticele de autism au crescut după COVID-19. Motivul te poate surprinde: de ce mai multe la fete și femei • Newsweek România

A recent study indicates a rise in autism diagnoses post-COVID-19, particularly among females. Researchers suggest this increase reflects previously unrecognized cases rather than a true rise in prevalence. The analysis of medical records showed that while male diagnoses remained stable, female diagnoses surged by 19% annually from 2020 to 2024. The study highlights that autism may be diagnosed later in females due to different manifestations and traditional diagnostic tools being male-focused. The pandemic may have temporarily influenced diagnosis rates, but the trend for women was evident even before 2020. Limitations of the study include its focus on a single healthcare system and a predominantly white demographic, which may affect generalizability.