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What’s more, they’re more likely to experience greater delays between the time of initial evaluation to receiving a clinical diagnosis of ASD. This is reflected in conversations happening on social media, where the popularity of autism and neurodivergent-centric Tiktok and Instagram pages has exploded in recent years.

April is Autism Awareness Month, so a broadening of the discussion aroundwomen with autismis essential for improving diagnosis and care.

Autism in Women

People with ASD often have issues with communication and interaction in social settings, and display reduced or repetitive behaviors. They may also have different ways of application, learning, or moving.

“The symptoms of autism in women typically aren’t that different from men,” saysAmy Morin, LCSW, psychotherapist. However, girls and women may display different outward reactions to the profile, according to AANE. Of course, every girl and woman with ASD is unique—but many share specific experiences.

“Women may be better at social interactions because they observe and copy other people’s gestures,” says Morin. “They may also recognize that it’s socially appropriate to make eye contact even when they feel uncomfortable doing so.”

Amy Morin, LCSWWomen tend to be better at masking their autism symptoms and we’re used to seeing the classic signs in men which tend to be more obvious.

Amy Morin, LCSW

Women tend to be better at masking their autism symptoms and we’re used to seeing the classic signs in men which tend to be more obvious.

A female with ASD may be aware that she is different—perhaps in the way that her interests aren’t the same as those of her peer group. She may be more comfortable with only a couple of friends than a large group and may enjoy spending time alone. She may also feel an aversion to what is widely considered popular, feminine, or fashionable.

Many girls with ASD are sensitive to textures, favoring comfortable, practical clothing. Sometimes they come across as naive or immature, or bucking social norms.

“Boys with autism tend to have more repetitive and limited areas of play, whereas girls are less repetitive but have broader areas of play. They are also more likely to respond to nonverbal communication,” saysJulian Lagoy, MD, a psychiatrist with Mindpath Health.

“We’re getting better at recognizing autism in women,” adds Morin. “Women tend to be better at masking their symptoms and we’re used to seeing the classic signs in men which tend to be more obvious.”

What to Know About Autism in Boys

Raising Awareness of the Spectrum

Increasing awareness of ASD in general helps to dismantle the stigma, says Dr. Lagoy. “It helps people understand the disorder more and be less judgmental and stigmatizing to those with it,” he says.

For women who arediagnosed with ASD in later life, more awareness and less stigma can be extremely empowering.

“It can help explain a lot of things for individuals, and also helps empower them to understand themselves better,” says Dr. Lagoy. “People tend to look down on individuals with autism, however, they have many unique and positive qualities that should not be overlooked. We should value everyone for their unique gifts.”

Julian Lagoy, MDPeople tend to look down on individuals with autism, however, they have many unique and positive qualities that should not be overlooked. We should value everyone for their unique gifts.

Julian Lagoy, MD

People tend to look down on individuals with autism, however, they have many unique and positive qualities that should not be overlooked. We should value everyone for their unique gifts.

Sometimes people experience a sense of relief when they receive a diagnosis later in life. “They may feel like they finally have a name for all the things they’ve experienced or an explanation for their symptoms,” Morin says. “A diagnosis may also give them an opportunity to connect with other people who share the same diagnosis.”

What This Means For YouEarly diagnosis means timely support for people with autism, but receiving adiagnosis in adulthoodcan lead to connection with the wider neurodivergent community—something many people find hugely comforting and validating.If you don’t have an autism diagnosis but identify with some of the traits of ASD, speak to your primary care physician in the first instance. They can refer you to the appropriate health professionals to help you on your journey of discovery.

What This Means For You

Early diagnosis means timely support for people with autism, but receiving adiagnosis in adulthoodcan lead to connection with the wider neurodivergent community—something many people find hugely comforting and validating.If you don’t have an autism diagnosis but identify with some of the traits of ASD, speak to your primary care physician in the first instance. They can refer you to the appropriate health professionals to help you on your journey of discovery.

Early diagnosis means timely support for people with autism, but receiving adiagnosis in adulthoodcan lead to connection with the wider neurodivergent community—something many people find hugely comforting and validating.

If you don’t have an autism diagnosis but identify with some of the traits of ASD, speak to your primary care physician in the first instance. They can refer you to the appropriate health professionals to help you on your journey of discovery.

What’s It Like to be Diagnosed With Autism as an Adult? New Research Takes a Closer Look

2 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network.Milner V, McIntosh H, Colvert E, Happé F.A qualitative exploration of the female experience of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).J Autism Dev Disord. 2019;49(6):2389-2402. doi:10.1007/s10803-019-03906-4

2 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network.Milner V, McIntosh H, Colvert E, Happé F.A qualitative exploration of the female experience of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).J Autism Dev Disord. 2019;49(6):2389-2402. doi:10.1007/s10803-019-03906-4

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network.Milner V, McIntosh H, Colvert E, Happé F.A qualitative exploration of the female experience of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).J Autism Dev Disord. 2019;49(6):2389-2402. doi:10.1007/s10803-019-03906-4

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network.

Milner V, McIntosh H, Colvert E, Happé F.A qualitative exploration of the female experience of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).J Autism Dev Disord. 2019;49(6):2389-2402. doi:10.1007/s10803-019-03906-4

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