Autism is a neurodiverse condition that affects 1 in 100 adults in the UK. With a historically narrow definition of autism and a predominantly male-centric view, autism stereotypes have led to a limited understanding of autism in women. This gender gap has caused autism traits in women to go unnoticed.
This highlights a continual struggle for women looking to get a better understanding of masking behaviours, their propensity for burnout, and other autism commonalities. These traits can sometimes cause female autism signs to be overlooked or misdiagnosed. This often delays autism diagnosis and prevents them from receiving the right support.
As a result, many women with autism end up struggling with chronic exhaustion, generalised social anxiety and depression.
In this article, we take a deeper look into the female autism phenotype and how this impacts on understanding, assessment and support.
1. The Stereotypical View of Autism
From its earliest days, autism studies have predominantly used male cohorts, often building diagnostic criteria around male autism signs. These autistic traits included overt gestures and repetitive behaviours. Often, young boys and men in these cohorts showed a particular interest in specific technical subjects or had unusual interests.
Combined with sometimes limited verbal expressions and difficulties in social communication, these traits then became the stereotypical view of autism. These stereotypes also led to an increasingly negative portrayal of autism in the media.
However, this view was in stark contrast to autistic signs in female adults, where social adeptness and camouflaging behaviours often helped women with autism fit in better.
2. Commonly Overlooked Traits of Female Autism
Autistic signs in female adults are harder to diagnose because women are known to use a variety of behaviours to mask, camouflage and perform socially. While this is a shared autism trait between both genders, it’s often used more as a coping mechanism by women with ASD who have lower support needs.
A high-functioning autism female “checklist” would typically include commonly overlooked traits like difficulty managing social interactions or getting tired quickly. Females with autism are also more susceptible to the idea of perfectionism, suppress repetitive behaviours and have socially normative interests or hobbies.
Because these traits present themselves more commonly even in non-autistic individuals, only experienced assessment providers like Connect to Autism can undertake assessments that rely on the identification of these subtle nuances.
If you think you may have autism, consider getting an online autism assessment. For a free 30-minute consultation or to learn more, call 07958 449402 today.
3. How Masking and Camouflaging Skew Perceptions
Neurodiverse individuals often struggle to socially fit in. However, for women with autism, masking allows them to navigate social situations effectively. This is a fairly common autistic sign in female adults, especially among women who are on the autism spectrum (ASD).
This often leads to a skewed perception of autism and shows up as mimicking socially acceptable behaviours that don’t come naturally to women with autism. While it helps women with autism appear more socially adept, they’re more likely to experience autistic burnout and feel exhausted.
Therefore, understanding autism in women often requires a nuanced approach that can recognise these subtle autistic signs in female adults.
4. Supporting Autistic Women
Studies suggest that women were largely misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed because diagnostic manuals were created using data based on male cohort studies. The resulting skewed gender perception of autistic traits led to diagnostic tools and assessments being male-centric. It also led to misdiagnosis of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, OCD or personality disorder.
This changed in the early 1980s when scientific research led to the recognition that autism’s missing women. Today, professionals and therapists have developed gender-inclusive diagnostic tools to provide a more balanced and inclusive approach to autism assessments.
It has helped create a safe space for women with autism who can now share their experiences and access formal autism assessments and recovery strategies with relative ease. With the availability of private online assessments, women can take the first steps in their autism journey with peace of mind.
5. What Society Can Do to Challenge Autism Stereotypes
There’s no doubt that society’s view on autism needs to be challenged, as stereotypes continue to impact the understanding of autism in women. Narrow definitions of autism and ASD need to be replaced by a broader understanding that’s both inclusive and nuanced.
One way to push this is to call for a wider representation of females with autism and ASD in autism advocacy. This should include women with autism from varied backgrounds and ethnicities for a more holistic approach.
By bringing under-represented women and communities together and educating people through autism awareness programmes, society can address the challenges women with autism face.
For Professional Female Autism Assessments, Call Connect to Autism
Now that you’ve had a better understanding of autism in women and how stereotypical views miss autistic signs in female adults, do you think you may have autism, or you may know someone with autism?
If yes, a formal autism diagnosis and assessment provided by an experienced therapist can be a great starting point.
Connect to Autism provides online autism assessments and ADHD screening assessments for adults aged 16 and over, with a special emphasis on adult females with autism. The service is led by Anne Marie Gallagher, a Speech and Language Therapist with over 25 years of experience in autism diagnosis and assessments.
Our professional autism assessments include comprehensive evaluations and detailed reports. This results in enhancing self-understanding and the ability to develop tailored strategies for your emotional and psychological well-being.
To know more, book a FREE 30-minute consultation today.