Autism is easier to spot in men than in women. A new report suggests that a significant number of women who have autism can go their whole lives without being diagnosed. The reason behind this could be that women learn how to “mask” their symptoms at a very young age. This makes it extremely difficult for professionals to spot the disorder in women.
“Masking or camouflaging can be described as hiding, disguising, or suppressing parts of yourself to try and fit in with people around you,” Dr Selina Warlow from the Nook Clinic shares, as quoted by Tyla. She adds that it is a “common trait” observed in “spectrum conditions.” Dr. Warlow speaks about how young girls and women often mask their symptoms, but in some cases, men might do the same.
The symptoms for people who get diagnosed with autism can vary from individual to individual. According to Oxford CBT, the main signs to look out for are unique communication styles, high sensitivity to sensory stimuli, social challenges, and intense but socially acceptable interests.
More females with autism are more likely to mask their symptoms just to fit in than males. It is not uncommon for a woman to get diagnosed with autism much later in life compared to males with the same disorder.
Dr Warlow also expanded on exactly why individuals with autism feel the need to mask their symptoms when interacting with others. People with the disorder often mask to “avoid prejudice, stigma, bullying, and discrimination to blend into a neurotypical world.”
What #Autistic masking looks like:#ActuallyAutistic #ADHD #AUDHD #MentalHealth #MentalIllness #Neurodivergent #Neurodivergence #Neurodiversity pic.twitter.com/s0qTjJkFSc
— 🖍🦄🟣Growth&Resilience🟢💜🦄🌸🌈🐸🙈🦩🧚♀️🐧🐰🦒 (@mmysticrainbow) June 24, 2023
The National Autistic Society also notes how the society’s understanding of the disorder is limited. People often base autism on “outdated stereotypes and incorrect assumptions.”
“Stereotyped examples of these include rocking backwards and forwards,” the NAS notes. Another widely believed stereotype is that people with the disorder share a fascination with trains. Females with autism might share the same interests as young girls and women without autism. ‘Twirling hair and reading books, and as such may go unnoticed despite the greater intensity or focus typical for autistic people,” the National Autistic Society notes.
Autistic women often present with slightly different traits than Autistic men#actuallyautistic pic.twitter.com/opLDQqgINK
— HumanBeingAwkward (@humanbeingawk) June 28, 2024
They point out how many medical professionals fail to understand how the disorder can affect females differently from men. This only adds to the struggles of young girls and women getting diagnosed with autism.
The Cleveland Clinic also notes how an early sign of autism in children can be limited eye contact and body language. Repetitive motions or speech are another tell-tale sign of the disorder.
