I'm an Autism Assessor — 6 Key Signs in Women That Often Go Unnoticed
The National Autistic Society suggests that obtaining an autism diagnosis is crucial as it enables autistic individuals to gain better self-understanding and pursue suitable support.
But they add Due to stereotypes regarding how autism manifests and which individuals can have autism, numerous females—both young and adult—are often challenged in obtaining an accurate diagnosis, receiving one much later than they should, or being incorrectly identified as having conditions other than autism.
That’s partly because The indicators of autism most of us were taught growing up tend to be more applicable to males than females, they claim.
We spoke to Dr. Mikki Lee Elembaby Psy.D. , a psychologist based in Manhattan from Clarity Therapy NYC who specialises in autism assessment and diagnosis, about why so “many autistic women fly under the radar.”
In what ways does autism manifest distinctly in females?
Dr. Elembaby informed HuffPost UK: "For many years, autism has predominantly been researched and identified based on its manifestation in males."
But autistic women are “often masking their struggles so well that they get misdiagnosed with anxiety, depression, or even personality disorders,” she said.
As stated by the psychologist, several key indicators of un-diagnosed autism in grown-up females include:
1) Engaging socially and feeling drained
" numerous autistic females adopt social behaviors to fit in—such as imitating facial expressions, preparing scripted dialogues, or compelling themselves to make eye contact," explained Dr. Elembaby.
But this exacts a price, frequently resulting in profound exhaustion and burnout.
2) Overanalysing social situations
As per the specialist, autism in females may result in repeatedly going over discussions mentally, worrying about saying something incorrectly, or feeling completely exhausted from even brief social exchanges.
3) Daily life impacted by sensory sensitivities
"Loud sounds, vibrant lighting, specific fabric textures, or potent odors may be overpowering" for women with autism, as the specialist noted.
Some women are called 'picky eaters' because of their sensory-based food dislikes.
4) Strong hobbies (that often go unnoticed)
According to Dr. Elembaby, "Although autistic males may be preoccupied with numbers, trains, or mechanical objects, autistic females frequently cultivate intense interests in literature, psychology, nature, or fictional personalities."
These obsessions may not lead directly to an autism diagnosis as readily as the interests preferred by some autistic males, she indicates.
5) Frequent misdiagnoses
" numerous autistic females often receive diagnoses of anxiety, depression, OCD, or borderline personality disorder prior to autism being taken into consideration," the evaluator informed us.
6) Challenges related to setting limits and experiencing exhaustion
"Autistic women might be perceived as 'overly sensitive,' have difficulty refusing requests, or exert excessive effort to conform to social norms—until they reach their limit," explained the psychologist.
What should I do if I believe I might be autistic?
"For numerous women, this realization—that they are on the autism spectrum—typically occurs during adulthood, frequently after their child receives a diagnosis, which leads them to recognize similar characteristics within themselves," explained Dr. Elembaby.
The NHS recommends seeking an autism evaluation if you believe you might have autism. Both adults and children are eligible to apply; however, the healthcare provider notes that waiting lists could be extensive.
The National Autistic Society Includes a section aimed at assisting adults who believe they might have autism in determining if they should pursue a diagnostic evaluation.
They detail the advantages of receiving a diagnosis, provide several preliminary assessment questionnaires, and discuss which support services require an official diagnosis versus those that don’t, along with appropriate scenarios.
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