Written for Everyone by Women
Here at Remarkable, we want to ensure that all autistic individuals are given equal opportunities in life and to encourage acceptance. In this blog, we will be exploring how we can break the stereotypes of autism and women, how we can speak up and educate.
This blog was written with the help of our experts and learners with lived experience.
Understanding the Stereotypes
- Why has autism traditionally been associated with men and boys?
Our learner:
“Because people have used the colour blue for autism to represent autism. More diagnosed boys because it’s more difficult to diagnose girls due to masking.”
- What are some common misconceptions about autistic women?
Our learner:
“As an autistic girl people assume that I don’t have empathy, that I am rude and that I don’t ‘look’ autistic.”
Diagnosis & Awareness
- Why are so many autistic women diagnosed later in life and what role does masking play in delaying diagnosis for autistic women?
Our learner:
“Due to high masking and societal pressures many autistic women are diagnosed in later life.”
Staff:
“I think so many autistic women are diagnosed later in life because the characteristics differ from boys and are not always obvious. Many autistic women mask autistic characteristics to fit in with society and because of this can be viewed as ‘shy’ and ‘overly sensitive.’ They generally pick up on social cues, mimicking neurotypical behaviours to fit in and avoid social difficulties.
For me, I wasn’t diagnosed until just after my 30th birthday. I have struggled a lot with my mental health over the years and was diagnosed with anxiety and depression due to undiagnosed autism and not knowing why I was different. I ended up seeking a diagnosis because I had an occupational health assessment in my last job and it was them that actually picked up on it and suggested autism.
I think this is the case for many women who aren’t diagnosed until later in life due to struggling with poor mental health, heavily masking and struggling to fit into a neurotypical society.”
Social Expectations & Masking
- What are the long-term effects of masking on mental health and wellbeing?
Our learner:
“Lots of pressure to mask to fit into a certain friendship group and special interests may be viewed as unusual, and therefore mental health may be affected if girls don’t pursue their special interests which help them to regulate. Additionally, masking can keep bullies away which can lead to autistic burnout. Masking can also be to please people in school.”
Staff:
“I think the long-term effects of masking are detrimental to mental health and wellbeing. Masking takes up a lot of energy which can lead to meltdowns and burnout.
We are expected to heavily mask, hide our autistic traits and act like neurotypicals every day which then leads to us struggling with meltdowns, burnout and poor mental health. It can also cause us to become socially withdrawn and cause us to shut down as a result of being misunderstood and trying to meet neurotypical expectations.”
Autistic Women’s Strengths & Challenges
- What unique strengths do autistic women bring to the world?
Staff:
“I think the unique strengths autistic women bring to the world is having a high level of empathy, a strong sense for justice, being loyal and trustworthy and having many different special interests.”
- How does autism present differently in women compared to men?
Our learner:
- “Autistic women have a lot of knowledge and creativity appears a major strength of autistic girls/women.
- Also, autistic girls/women have a strong sense of justice.
- Autistic girls special interests may be seen as ‘typical’ interests and may be not viewed as a special interest and therefore overlooked.”
- What challenges do autistic women face in relationships, friendships, and the workplace?
Learner & staff responses combined:
“Autistic women face many different challenges especially with being diagnosed later in life.”
- Friendships:
“Friendships can be difficult if arguments happen, they can cause anxiety. Friendships also mean girls probably mask to fit in with the friendship group. Difficulties can also occur when friendship groups change. It’s hard to fit into large friendship groups because there can be ‘drama’ within the group.”
“Autistic women may struggle to make and maintain friendships. They might heavily mask in order to fit in or they might become socially withdrawn and isolated. They may not be able to tell the difference if someone is being genuine or fake.”
- Relationships:
“Autistic women can be vulnerable when it comes to relationships. For example, they might struggle with ‘social cues’ and attract the wrong people which could cause them to get taken advantage off. They might struggle with conflict and avoid arguments. They might not always show affection or feel uncomfortable with showing affection.”
- Workplace:
“Autistic women might struggle with many challenges in the workplace.” These might include:
- Struggling to understand ‘social cues’ and what is expected of them.
- Struggling under pressure
- Being perfectionists because they don’t what to disappoint people.
- Masking heavily and trying to live up to neurotypical standards which can have a detrimental effect on their mental health and lead to constant anxiety, fatigue and meltdowns.
Breaking the Stereotypes
- How can we change the way society views autistic women?
Our learner:
- “Spreading more awareness and acceptance.
- Advocating for autistic girls and women.
- In schools more training for staff around autistic girl’s presentation and how to recognise autism and how to support them.”
- How can autistic women advocate for themselves and others?
“Autistic girls/women can speak up about their lived experience to help other’s understanding.”
References & Resources for Autism and Women
For the Book Lovers
- Girl Unmasked by Emily Katy
- Different, Not Less by Chloe Hayden
- Unmasked by Ellie Middleton
- The Spectrum Girl’s Survival Guide by Siena Castellon
- Nurturing Your Autistic Young Person by Cathy Wassell
For the Google Gurus
For the Social Butterflies
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