“Autism means that I miss what others catch and I catch what others miss” - Anonymous
We recognize the diversity of perspectives and ongoing conversations regarding the terminology used to describe Autism and neurodivergence. Individuals, whether diagnosed or undiagnosed, may have differing preferences in how they wish to be identified. While this post uses identity-first language, it's important to acknowledge that some members of the Autistic community prefer person-first language. We advocate for awareness and sensitivity on this matter, and we encourage respecting and honoring each person's choice in how they choose to identify themselves.
What is Autism?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a person thinks, feels, socialises, and experiences their environment. Whilst autism should not be considered a disorder, it is a disability, but one that has unique strengths and skill sets.
Although there are a common set of characteristics that define an ASD, the spectrum part of the classification refers to the different combinations of abilities and conditions that make up a person. It’s a bit like the visible colour spectrum.
As you can see, the different parts of the spectrum are noticeably different from each other: blue looks different from red, but they are both on the visible colour spectrum. We don’t say “red is more spectrum than blue”, because when we talk about colours we don’t talk about how far along the colour spectrum a colour is. We say “that’s red”, or “blue”, or “green”.
When we talk about autism we often talk as though autism is like a gradient, rather than a spectrum; the way colours can be light green or dark green. But that’s a gradient, not a spectrum. Someone can’t be ‘a little bit autistic’ or ‘very autistic’ the way a colour can be light or dark green. Autism isn’t defined as a set of symptoms that collectively worsen as you move ‘up’ the autism spectrum.
Autism is a collection of interrelated conditions and abilities. Even though each person with autism has difficulties in the areas of social communication, socialisation, flexibility of thought, and narrowed interests or behaviours, each has a unique combination of characteristics. So autism may be better understood as a circular, rather than linear spectrum.
Autism in Women and Girls
The symptoms of autism in women and girls are similar to those in men and boys. However, researchers believe that females are more likely to camouflage or mask their symptoms. This may explain why they’re less likely than males to be diagnosed with autism.
Why is There a Gender Gap?
Some theories suggest that more boys and men have a diagnosis of autism than girls and women because:
The way autism is currently diagnosed is biased towards ‘conventional’ (male) features.
Autism is missed in women and girls due to mental health (mis)diagnoses (e.g.: anxiety, eating disorder, depression) that may overshadow autism symptoms.
Stereotypical social expectations of girls and women means that being quiet and shy is considered ‘normal’.
Autistic females are more socially motivated to engage with peers, leading to missed diagnosis.
What Does Autism Look Like in Girls?
Common signs of autism in girls include:
Copying others to blend in.
Being passive which is often seen as ‘just being shy’.
One or few close friendships.
A tendency to ‘camouflage’ difficulties.
Being able to control emotions at school, but having less control at home.
A vivid imagination (might escape into worlds of fiction or make believe).
Strong interests such as animals, music, environmentalism, art.
A desire to arrange and organise objects.
Trouble playing: wanting to dictate the rules, or preferring to play alone.
Sensory sensitivities: such as food textures, clothing, certain lighting etc.
What Does Autism Look Like in Women?
Because girls are often good at masking (or camouflaging) their symptoms, many reach adulthood without an autism diagnosis. Some common signs of autism in women include:
Mimicking or replicating social behaviours to fit in (e.g.: forcing yourself to make eye contact).
Pre-preparing phrases or jokes for conversation, and spending substantial time thinking about what to say and how to talk to others.
Feeling exhausted after socialising or being at work; often needing time alone to recover.
High self-awareness.
Coping by apologising and appeasing others.
Feeling a tension between being your true self and perceived pressure to conform to societal expectations of females.
Consistently feeling unable to fit in, throughout your life.
Feeling isolated because of consistently feeling misunderstood, and not being taken seriously or believed when you mention you might be on the autism spectrum.
Difficulty understanding female neurotypical peers due a lack of straightforwardness in their communication and behaviour.
Developing anxiety management strategies that are difficult to notice: such as hair twirling, foot tapping, playing with jewellery, fiddling with fingers etc.
Sensory sensitivities: such as heat, light physical touch, clothing etc.
At Logos Psychology Clinic, we are particularly interested in working with girls and women who are diagnosed with an ASD, or who suspect that they may meet criteria for diagnosis. If you think that you, or your child, may meet ASD criteria for diagnosis, you may wish to contact the clinic for assessment and/or support for understanding neurodivergence.
A Link Between Autism and Trauma
Research suggests that autistic people may be at increased risk of developing post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This could occur because:
Being autistic may make people more likely to experience certain types of trauma, such as bullying, chronic ostracism, and other forms of abuse.
Experiences not typically defined as being traumatic may be experienced as traumatizing for someone who is autistic. Experiences may include exposure to fire alarms, the loss of a pet, or failing a school test.
Being chronically misunderstood or judged negatively by others because of autistic characteristics/traits can be traumatic.
The experience of trauma complicates the behavioural symptoms of autism. Understanding the overlap and distinct features of autism and trauma is therefore important for diagnosis and developing support interventions. At Logos Psychology Clinic, we are dedicated to correctly identifying and understanding autism and trauma in our clients, and tailor our interventions accordingly. Sometimes, our counsellors may notice that our clients present with symptoms consistent with autism. When this occurs, referral is typically made to our psychologist, and an autism assessment can be pursued if desired.