According to The Australian, Autism researcher has labelled current diagnosis “meaningless”.
German developmental psychologist, Uta Frith claimed that too many people were being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
An essay published in Cambridge University Press, which Frith took part in, raised questions in the dramatic jump in diagnoses since its inception in the 1940’s.
Frith and other researchers argued:
Marked differences now exist between those first disgnosed in childhood and others first diagnosed in adolescence or adulthood. The time has come to examine reasons for these conceptual changes and the consequences for clinical practice and research.
(“Autism Spectrum Disorder: has it lost its meaning and is it leading to misdiagnosis”, Published: Cambridge University Press, 4 August 2026).
The essay concluded that there are “marked differences” between those diagnosed in early childhood versus adolscence and adulthood.
Social models and misdiagnoses
In recent years, the term ‘neurodiversity’ has been used to destigmatise autism. The change in language saw a shift in how people saw ASD — not as a disability, but a natural variation. This view focuses on strengths of nerodivergent individuals, rather than their struggles. This way of thinking, researchers argue, benefits those diagnosed as adults, rather than children.
The report authors argue this to try to promote inclusion and “harm avoidance”. As a result, the disgnosis threshold has been lowered, and more people “identifying” with an autism label.
Sex differences
Interestingly. the study showed that AMAB (assigned male at birth) people were more likely diagnosed in early childhoo, whereas people assigned female arpt birth (AFAB) were often diagnosed in adolescence or adulthood.
I have been told that this happens for two main reasons. Social conventions teach females to mask autistic traits, more than males. Secondly, ASD is often mistaken for anxiety, a mood disorder, or even borderline personality disorder (BPD). This would add to the fewer or later diagnoses in females.
Let’s talk about masking for a bit.
AFAB (assigned female at birth) people are taught to mask from an early age. This is not often a neutral or good thing.
According to Simply Psychology, masking can:
- Cause or exacerbate stress, anxiety and depression
- Cause a loss of identity
- Cause low self – esteem and feelings of shame
- Increase isolation
- Increase the risk of exploitation and people violating personal boundaries
- Increased risk of abuse and manipulation in relationships
- A delay in diagnosis and ongoing struggle that comes with it
- Mental and physical exhaustion
People with ASD, regardless of sex or gender identity, deserve to live without the stress masking brings and get their needs met.
How can someone stop or reduce masking
To limit or avoid masking, Simply Psychology advises:
- Identify and reflect on your own masking behaviours
- Find a supportive and accepting network. If possible, a family member may be a good start
- Set small goals and slowly exhibit your natural behaviours (interests, stims, etc)
- Look back at a time when you stimmed in front of another person. How did they react? Did they even notice?
Diagnosis, regardless of age is not the problem
Is ASD overdiagnosed? Misdiagnosed? Here are my (non – professional) thoughts.
My understandijg is that neurodivergence is often missed in AFAB people. This is because a lot of the research is outdated, and centres around AMAB (assigned male at birth) people.
I’m always a little weary of people claining that a diagnosis is wrong , overdiagnosed or doesn’t (or shouldn’t) exist (i,e, histrionic personality disorder/ HPD).
People’s struggles are real and should be taken seriously, rather than denied, Everyone deserves appropriate mental health care, and live in a world where they feel understood. If that means someone fits the criteria for ASD, then so be it. I don’t think it’s up to others to judge.