I am writing this petition on behalf of all the girls and women, remain undiagnosed. Many girls, is not accurately represented in the current diagnostic criteria that heavily rely on characteristics often observed in boys. 

It is widely acknowledged in scientific literature that autism can manifest differently in girls and boys. According to the National Autistic Society, girls are often undiagnosed because they are more skilled at masking the symptoms compared to their male counterparts, as they are likely to mimic social actions in a way boys do not (Jones et al. 2020, Autism in Pink). Girls can also be more social and less likely to demonstrate repetitive behavior, a key criteria typically used for diagnosis (Kopp and Gillberg, 2011).

Due to this systemic oversight, many girls and women go undiagnosed, unsupported, and therefore, unhelped. We must address this critical issue with a sense of urgency to ensure fair access to support and resources for all affected by autism.

We call for a comprehensive review and reform of the diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). These revised assessment protocols should account for the gender differences in how Autism is expressed, to ensure we're not leaving anyone behind. 

Please, help us make this change by signing our petition to reform the autism diagnosis criteria to be more inclusive for girls.