QMU researchers highlight progress in diagnosing neurodivergent females in Scotland yet delays persist
A new study published in the ‘Autism’ journal reveals encouraging progress in recognising neurodivergent girls and women in Scotland, but also highlights that they are diagnosed, on average, five years later than males.
Researchers from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh and the National Autism Implementation Team (NAIT) analysed case notes from 408 individuals across 30 diagnosing teams in Scotland. The study examined sex ratios and age of diagnosis for autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and intellectual disabilities.
The findings indicate that Scotland’s gender gap in neurodevelopmental diagnoses has significantly reduced by 60% since 2014, yet girls and women continue to face delays in identification. Previous research has consistently found far more males than females diagnosed with neurodevelopmental differences, but it continues to be unclear whether this reflects a genuine difference in prevalence or a pattern of under-recognition in women and girls.
Their analysis revealed several notable trends:
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In 2014, 5.5 boys were diagnosed as autistic for every 1 girl under 10. Now, in 2025, 2.2 boys are diagnosed as autistic for every 1 girl under 10 – a 60% reduction in the gender gap since 2014.
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Across all lifespan neurodevelopmental diagnoses, the male-to-female ratio is 1.3 to 1.
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Women slightly outnumbered men seeking diagnosis in adult autism and adult ADHD services. There were also more autistic female teenagers than males.
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Across all neurodevelopmental diagnoses over the lifespan:
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Females are diagnosed around five years later than males (this does not mean that every girl experiences a five-year delay; rather, as a group, females are at greater risk of delayed identification).
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Among adults, there is no significant difference in age at diagnosis, indicating that the delay is primarily driven by under-recognition in children.
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The median age of adult diagnosis is around 28 years.
We're finally diagnosing more autistic women and that’s very good news. But a five-year delay is still five years of missed support. Our study shows real progress in recognising neurodivergent women and girls, yet many are still overlooked because of masking, cultural bias, and male-focused diagnostic tools. We need reform in awareness, training, and service design so that every person can be recognised and supported when they need it.
Early identification can make a lifelong difference by validating identity, supporting wellbeing, enabling connection with the neurodivergent community, and providing crucial shorthand for requesting adjustments in education, employment, and mental health services. Delayed diagnosis therefore carries real and lasting consequences.
Dr Marion Rutherford, Co-lead for NAIT, added: “When our team completed a similar research project in 2014, there were 5.5 autistic boys for every girl diagnosed under 10. Now, we see that the figure has dropped to 2.2. We are doing something right in recognising autistic girls and women, but they are still waiting years longer to be identified.”
For more information, email nait@qmu.ac.uk
For further media information contact Emma Reekie, Media and Content Officer, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, E: ereekie@qmu.ac.uk (copy to E: pressoffice@qmu.ac.uk).
