Autism in women

For many years women and girls with autism have been missed or misdiagnosed due to outdated 

stereotypes surrounding autism. It is often understood that those with autism are prominently boys 

and men and are rarely women. Societies understanding of autism is mainly ruled by stereotypes and 

assumptions. The reason the majority of women and girls get missed or misdiagnosed is due to the fact 

that women often 'mask' their autistic traits and conform to societies standards of 'trying to fit in'.

Autistic women are often described as being more anxious, depressed or socially awkward, leading 

them to a diagnosis later in life. Women tend to often have less 'obvious' and repetitive behaviours in 

comparison to men, and they feel a stronger pressure to fit in with society (this is called masking).

WHAT IS MASKING?

Masking is when a person performs or acts out a social behaviour that is deemed 'neurotypical' 

and hides behaviours that aren't deemed acceptable by society. Masking is the idea to fit in and 

camouflage with your peers. Women often do this, which is why they are harder to diagnose as 

they don't show 'typical' autistic traits and qualities. 

For years I didn't realise that I was masking, and once I did it made a lot of sense. I felt and do still 

feel the pressure to fit in with the behaviours and acts that society deems 'normal'. Having a need 

and desire to want to blend in and be my true self and stick out.

SIGNS OF AUTISM IN WOMEN

I am not a professional, just someone who has autism. In no way am I saying that if you 

experience several or all of the below, you are autistic. If you think you or someone you 

know may be autistic, please contact a professional for further information. 

 Sensitive 

Perfectionist

Hypersensitivity 

Afraid to stand out

Enjoying being alone

Avoiding eye contact

Feeling out of place

Taking things literally

Fixating on the little things 

Struggling with different foods

Misunderstanding social rules

Benefiting greatly from a routine

Masking true emotions/feelings

Coming across as blunt or rude

Constant and heightened anxiety

Being obsessive over things or people

Difficulty understanding emotions/feelings

Excessively talking about their hobbies/interests

xoxo

Lea-Mai