Indicators of autism in women 🧠

Historically, research in the field has centred around men resulting in scientific findings and diagnostic tools being informed by the male experience of autism. Emerging research shows that autistic girls and women may present very differently from autistic boys and men. Some key differences may include women having a greater drive to be sociable, having interests that are more accepted and considered "normal" and using camouflaging and masking tactics to fit in. Due to the above, autism is often missed or misdiagnosed in women resulting in many being diagnosed later in life. The following information seeks to provide an overview of some of the experiences of autistic women; the list is by no means exhaustive and you should seek an assessment for a medical diagnosis.

Social differences

May find it hard to make or maintain friendships
Preference for one-to-one or small-group interactions
May struggle with social "chit-chat" and being perceived as shy
Very literal and not always understanding sarcasm
Feeling exhausted following social interaction and seeking time alone
Getting fired up when talking about passions and interests

Emotional regulation

May be perceived as sensitive
Innate sense of social justice
May be more open to discussing feelings than men with autism
Experience meltdowns
Co-occurring conditions such as anxiety and depression

Sensory sensitivities

Strong sensory perception and being prone to overwhelm
Heightened sense of awareness when it comes to smell, light, sounds and touch
Avoidance of certain places, people or things
Experience shutdowns or disassociation episodes
Seeking a calm, dimly light environment following sensory overload

Repetitions

An almost obsessive interest in a topic/topics
Stimming [such as skin-picking or biting, tapping, nail-biting and hair-twirling]
A strong preference for a set routine and extensive planning of activities
Resistance to change and finding unpredictability distressing
Manages stress with rules, disciplines and routines

Camouflaging

Masks differences to pass as “normal” and fit in
Finding non-verbal communication unnatural, such as eye contact
Awareness, monitoring and adjusting of body language in social interactions
Feeling as if "performing" or "putting on an act" in social situations
Anxiety around the impression made on others
Happiest at home or in other controlled environments

Executive function

May have difficulty planning or initiating tasks
May experience reduced ability to control emotions or impulses
Difficulty analysing or processing information
Slower to comprehend some things due to sensory and cognitive differences
Preference for written rather than verbal instructions

What terms should I use?

Previously, autism was differentiated into various types such as "Asperger Syndrome" and terminology such as "high-functioning" and "low-functioning" were used. In 2013, these separate conditions were replaced by Autism Spectrum Disorder (or condition). As Dr Claire Jack explains in this article, thinking about the autism spectrum as linear can lead to unfair comparisons of experience. Instead, moving toward a pie-chart model better encapsulates the diversity of individual experiences within autism.

Image credit: autism_sketches