Autism and young women

Autism may play a part in anorexia in women, according to Professor Chris Gillberg, of the National Centre for Autism Studies at the University of Strathclyde. The fact that autism is generally regarded as being more common in boys may reflect differences in the way it affects the female brain, he says. He believes that a girl who is withdrawn and uncommunicative may not attracting attention, but if she develops a calorie fixation, she may have a serious problem, with the calorie-counting being a possible manifestation of autism.

The Times