A growing number of autistic women are stepping forward to share their experiences, aiming to bridge significant knowledge gaps about how autism presents in females. For decades, the understanding of autism was largely based on male presentations, leading to many women being undiagnosed or misdiagnosed until adulthood. This invisibility has prompted many to take to various platforms, including print and online, to shed light on their realities.
The journey to diagnosis often begins with a realisation that past experiences and struggles make sense through an autistic lens. Alex Morgan, 62, for example, only considered the possibility after taking an online autism test while recovering from COVID-19. She recounted holding common misconceptions about autism, believing it primarily affected 'monosyllabic boys' with specific interests. Similarly, Sarah Hendrickx, who spent years diagnosing autism in boys and men, admitted she 'failed miserably to apply it to myself', underscoring the pervasive lack of awareness surrounding female autism even among professionals.
Neuroscientist Gina Rippon highlights that an increase in late autism diagnoses in recent years has revealed the extensive coping mechanisms women often employ. Known as masking or camouflaging, these behaviours involve consciously or unconsciously suppressing autistic traits to blend into social environments. Morgan, who launched 'The Autistic Woman' website after her diagnosis three years ago, noted, 'We hide how we are because we are conditioned by society to blend in.' This constant effort can lead to severe exhaustion, often termed 'autistic burnout', which Morgan experienced as a teenager, initially misdiagnosed as a breakdown.
Comedian Fern Brady, diagnosed five years ago after experiencing meltdowns, found a 'void of information' for adult autistic women, primarily encountering resources aimed at parents of autistic children. This scarcity spurred her to write her book, 'Strong Female Character', despite initial fears it could impact her career. Brady also observed a reluctance to openly discuss autism, with 'neurodivergent' sometimes used as a euphemism, highlighting the ongoing stigma. Her work, including a Netflix-filmed stand-up show, aims to provide the honest, mainstream discourse she wished had existed earlier.
The personal accounts of these women underscore a critical need for updated understanding and resources within the UK's health system. NHS guidelines and NICE recommendations are continually evolving, but the lived experiences shared by autistic women highlight the importance of recognising diverse presentations of autism. For those concerned about their own potential neurodivergence, consulting a GP or calling NHS 111 is always the recommended first step for advice and potential referral for assessment.