Signs of Autism in Women

Mental health and other challenges affect men and women alike. However, sometimes the way those challenges present themselves might differ. One example of this is with signs of autism in women versus men.

Understanding autism in women

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which is often simply spoken of as autism, refers to a developmental disorder that can affect the way a person behaves, socializes, and communicates with others. As one can imagine, this can affect one’s relationships and ability to successfully negotiate social situations. ASD has a wide range of symptoms, and different levels of severity affect the level of support an individual may require.

There is a greater prevalence of ASD in males than in females; according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is around four times more common in boys than in girls, although this may be simply because autism in women and girls often gets misdiagnosed, and it is also often tougher to spot.

Additionally, parents, teachers, and doctors often associate autism with boys, leading to a significant number of girls and women with autism being overlooked. Another reason autism may be harder to spot in girls and women is that they are more likely to mask their symptoms to adapt to social situations, and this can result in a misdiagnosis as well as a later diagnosis.

Key signs of autism in women

Many women with autism may not receive a proper diagnosis until they reach adulthood. One reason for this is that females can present with different symptoms and may mask their ASD more than their male counterparts. The consequence of an under-diagnosis or a misdiagnosis for many women is that a woman can judge herself harshly for finding life difficult when that difficulty can be attributable to autism.

Getting a proper diagnosis of autism enables a person to isolate the source of their difficulties, and they can also receive the support they need to meet their challenges. If you see any of the following signs present, you should see a doctor and ask them to refer you or your loved one for an autism evaluation and screening. Some of the signs to look out for include:

Repetitive behaviors

Self-stimulating behaviors such as rocking, repeating words or phrases, spinning, hair twirling, skin picking, pacing, or feet rubbing are associated with autism.

Social and communication difficulties

One may find it difficult to respond well to social cues, especially in groups of people, which can make it difficult to initiate and maintain relationships and friendships. By creating a social checklist of socially appropriate responses, many women can negotiate this difficulty, but they will often find themselves feeling socially anxious and left out.

Some of the social difficulties a person has may manifest as having difficulty making eye contact. Autistic people struggle to maintain eye contact or start a conversation, though an autistic woman may force herself to maintain eye contact to mask any autistic traits. It can also be difficult to express or recognize emotions, which makes social interactions difficult.

Sensory sensitivity

Many women with autism will experience the world differently than other neurotypical individuals. They will be sensitive to strong smells, loud noises, certain kinds of fabric, touch, and light. This makes it difficult to sleep, work, or go shopping and relax in certain environments where she can experience sensory overload. She may avoid certain foods because of their texture or avoid wearing clothes with textured materials.

Difficulty regulating one’s emotions

Many autistic people find it difficult to regulate their emotions, likely due to a poor connection between the amygdala, which is our emotional center, and the frontal cortex, which is the part of our brains that makes rational decisions. If this connection is poor, making rational decisions and staying in control can be more difficult, which can lead to meltdowns or emotional outbursts.

Difficulties with executive function

Executive function refers to the ability to plan, be flexible in one’s thinking, and work toward a goal. The underdevelopment of these skills means that changing routines is difficult, as is organizing oneself and getting things done. There may be many tasks begun but not finished, which can cause difficulty at work or in other areas of daily life.

Anxiety and depression

While these conditions may result from other sources, they are often present and indicative of ASD due to the difficulties of living with ASD, especially as one gets exhausted and stressed from their attempts to mask their autistic traits.

Having obsessive interests

Women and men with autism tend to have areas of specialized interest, such as animals or how people and their minds work. This can sometimes lead to talking excessively about a subject without being attentive to how the people around them are reacting.

Sleep problems

Many women with autism struggle to sleep well, and this may relate to sensory issues such as a sensitivity to light, sound, and temperature that makes finding the ideal sleeping environment difficult.

Finding support for women with autism

Autism will often present differently in women than in men, which often results in women being undiagnosed or underdiagnosed. While some women with autism mask and learn to cope with their symptoms, ASD has a significant impact on a person’s behavior, social skills, and learning. It can be a heavy burden to try and mask the symptoms of autism, and it affects a person’s mental and emotional health as well as their quality of life.

If you see these signs in yourself or a loved one, speak to a mental health professional such as a Christian counselor. There is so much amazing support available for women, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and organizations such as the National Autistic Society that can provide you with further information and resources for addressing signs of autism in women.