Quiet Patterns of Autism in Adult Women and Why They Are Often Missed

Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder—commonly referred to as ASD or simply autism—is a developmental disorder that affects a person’s behavior and communication skills. People with autism may have difficulties interacting with other people and adhering to social norms as well as show a preference for rigid routines.

ASD is usually diagnosed at a young age—parents may notice their child avoids making eye contact, does not respond to their name, and talks without inflection and echoes words and phrases instead of forming their own sentences. Nevertheless, many individuals remain undiagnosed until adulthood—this is especially common for women with autism.

Symptoms of Autism in Women

While there is no universal set of criteria to determine whether a person is on the autism spectrum, for the most part the symptoms of this disorder are similar for men and women. At the same time it is important to keep in mind the diagnosis may be missed in women and girls since they are better at masking their symptoms and fitting in.

Below are the most typical signs of autism in adult women:

• Difficulty in Social Interaction. Women with autism may struggle to develop friendships, feel uncomfortable in large crowds, and fail to understand nonverbal communication—for instance, they will not be able to figure out if the person is angry or sad based solely on their facial expression.
• Sensitivity to Stimuli. It is common for autistic individuals to be very sensitive to their surroundings—sounds, lights, smells, and even the fabric of their clothes may cause discomfort.
• Special Interests. Often people on the spectrum have one or two hobbies they are passionate about—they may spend hours learning more about their interest and talking about it to anyone who will listen.
• Problems With Speech. From an occasionally flat voice to the inability to talk when the person is anxious, there are various speech difficulties an autistic woman may have.
• Poor Self-Esteem. Sadly women who were not diagnosed on time and never received proper support for their autism may suffer from mental health issues—eating disorders Depression, anxiety, impostor syndrome, and struggling to accept oneself are common issues for autistic individuals who feel different from their peers.

Diagnosis of Autism in Adult Women

If you believe you or a woman in your care is showing signs of autism described above, it is crucial to reach out to a mental health professional who will be able to properly diagnose the disorder and offer a treatment plan tailored to the needs of the patient.

There are several screening tools a doctor may use to understand whether you are on the spectrum—for example, you may be asked to fill out the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) scale designed to measure the level of a person’s autistic traits. A healthcare provider will be able to evaluate your behavior and come up with strategies to help you cope with the disorder.

Challenges Faced by Women With Autism

Unfortunately, women with autism face numerous obstacles in their personal and professional lives, especially when they remain undiagnosed and do not realize the reason behind their behavior.

Women on the spectrum have trouble building relationships with their peers—they may come across as awkward and aloof when in reality they simply do not know how to behave in social settings. Increased levels of anxiety and depression are to be expected—when a woman cannot fit in and constantly masks her true personality to be accepted, it will negatively affect her mental health.

Supporting Women With Autism

Whether you have been recently diagnosed with autism or you are a caretaker or a friend of an autistic woman, you can do a lot to help the affected individual.

Here are a few tips to support a woman with autism:

• Educate Yourself. Learn more about autism and the unique challenges women on the spectrum face—this will give you a better understanding of their struggles and empathy for their plight.
• Be There for Your Friend. Listen to the autistic woman in your life—ask her what triggers her stress and what you can do to make her feel comfortable. If your friend does not like loud parties, maybe she will enjoy a quiet night in with a small group of friends.
• Offer Your Assistance. It might be helpful to have a friend when you visit a doctor to get an autism diagnosis—if your autistic friend comes up with a treatment plan, ask her if you can do something to help her stick to the routine.