For decades, autism has been seen through a male-centric lens, leaving countless autistic women misdiagnosed, misunderstood, or completely overlooked. But as more women are finally receiving the diagnoses they’ve long sought, it’s clear: this isn’t a trend—it’s a long-overdue recognition of what has always been there.
A recent study, Exploring the Lived Experiences of Autistic Women (Gosling, Hartley, & Purrington, 2024), sheds light on the unique challenges autistic women face throughout their lives—from childhood to adulthood, education to employment, relationships to healthcare.
Why Are So Many Autistic Women Missed?
Autism often presents differently in women than in men, but most diagnostic criteria were developed based on studies of autistic boys and men. This means that women’s unique autistic traits—such as social masking, internalised distress, and sensory sensitivities—are often missed or misinterpreted as anxiety, depression, or personality disorders.
Without proper recognition, autistic women are left to navigate years, sometimes decades, of misdiagnosis, self-doubt, and frustration before finally getting the answers they deserve.
School: Struggling in Silence
For many autistic girls, school is a daily exercise in survival.
Masking to fit in: Many autistic girls learn to camouflage their struggles—mimicking social behaviours, forcing eye contact, or memorising scripts to blend in. While this helps them avoid bullying, it also makes their struggles invisible to teachers, delaying diagnosis.
Sensory overload: Loud, bright, and chaotic classrooms can be overwhelming, making it harder to focus and learn.
Emotional exhaustion: The effort to keep up with social expectations often leads to burnout, anxiety, and self-doubt—long before they even reach adulthood.
Many autistic women only realise they’re autistic later in life, often after seeking answers for their own children’s diagnoses.
Workplaces Aren’t Built for Autistic Women
Finding and keeping a job is another major challenge. Autistic women are significantly less likely to be in paid employment compared to neurotypical women, even when they have the same qualifications.
Social exhaustion: Workplace cultures are built on unspoken social rules, office politics, and small talk—all of which can be draining for autistic employees.
Sensory challenges: Fluorescent lights, noisy offices, and unpredictable schedules can make work a daily struggle.
Lack of accommodations: Few workplaces recognise or accommodate the needs of neurodivergent employees, leading to burnout, instability, and underemployment—where women work far below their level of skill and education.
Getting a Diagnosis: A Long and Difficult Road
Many autistic women spend years being misdiagnosed before finding a doctor who understands.
Labeled with anxiety, depression, or personality disorders: Many doctors fail to recognise autism in women, instead diagnosing them with conditions that only tell part of the story.
Diagnostic tools are built for men: The “typical” signs of autism—like avoiding eye contact or repetitive behaviors—are based on male traits, leaving women undetected.
Masking hides the signs: Because autistic women often adapt their behaviour to fit in, they don’t always match the classic autism profile—which means they’re dismissed or overlooked.
This misdiagnosis or lack of diagnosis means many autistic women miss out on vital support that could have helped them navigate life more easily.
The Invisible Struggles of Autistic Women
Even after receiving a diagnosis, many autistic women struggle to access the right support.
Burnout and exhaustion: Years of masking take a toll, leading to autistic burnout—a state of deep mental and physical exhaustion.
Gaps in medical care: Many healthcare providers lack training in autism in women, leaving them unable to offer adequate support.
Higher risk of abuse and exploitation: Research shows autistic women are at an increased risk of experiencing abuse, making it crucial to provide better education and protective measures.
Autism in Women: A Reality, Not a Trend
The growing number of women receiving autism diagnoses isn’t a new phenomenon—it’s a long-overdue correction. Just like the rise in left-handed people after the stigma and bans on left-handedness were lifted, autistic women have always been here. We just haven’t been seen.
What Needs to Change?
Clinicians need better training to recognise autism in women and avoid misdiagnosis.
Researchers must prioritise studies on autistic women’s experiences, including the long-term effects of masking and burnout.
Society must move beyond stereotypes and create inclusive environments in schools, workplaces, and support services.
For too long, autistic women have been left out of the conversation. It’s time to listen, learn, and take action—so that no woman has to spend her life searching for answers alone.
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