For a long time, medical research treated men as the default. We now know that conditions such as heart attacks can look different in women, and that this gap in knowledge has had real consequences. Autism is another area where that bias shaped what clinicians looked for, and many autistic women went unrecognised for years as a result.
This article covers common signs of autism in adults, how autism can look different in women and girls, why so many women are diagnosed late, and what helps.
Common signs of autism in adults
Autism is a lifelong difference in how people experience and interact with the world. The NHS guide to signs of autism in adults lists traits such as:
- finding social contact and conversation tiring, and preferring time alone
- finding facial expressions, gestures or tone of voice hard to read
- taking language literally
- preferring fixed routines and finding unexpected change distressing
- repetitive movements, often called stimming
- deep focus on specific interests
- being more or less sensitive than others to light, sound, smell, taste or touch
Many of these are differences rather than problems in themselves. Deep focus, honesty and attention to detail are valued in plenty of jobs. Difficulties tend to arise when the environment does not allow for them, such as a loud open plan office or a manager who only gives vague instructions.
How autism can look different in women and girls
Every autistic woman is different, but some patterns come up often. The NHS notes that autistic women may be more likely to copy how other people behave, appear to cope well in social situations, stay quiet and hide their feelings when things are hard, and show fewer repetitive behaviours than autistic men.
Other patterns women often describe include:
A small number of close friendships
Many autistic women prefer one or two close friends to a large social group, and may stay on the edge of group activity rather than in the middle of it.
Intense interests that look ordinary
An autistic girl’s focused interest might be in animals, books, music or a TV series. Because these interests look typical for her age, the depth of focus is easily missed.
Masking
Masking, sometimes called camouflaging, means hiding autistic traits to fit in: forcing eye contact, rehearsing conversations, copying other people’s expressions. It can work well enough that nobody notices, but it is exhausting, and the National Autistic Society links it to anxiety and overwhelm. Our article on high masking neurodivergent employees explains what this means at work.
Shutdowns and meltdowns
After holding everything together all day, some autistic women experience a shutdown or meltdown once they are somewhere safe. These are a response to overwhelm, not a tantrum or a choice.
Sensory sensitivities
Sensitivity to clothing textures, noise, light or smells is common, and may have been dismissed as fussiness in childhood.
Why women are less likely to be diagnosed
More men and boys are diagnosed autistic than women and girls. The National Autistic Society cites research suggesting a ratio of around three to one, while noting that the reasons for the gap are not fully understood. Several factors are likely to play a part:
- early research focused mainly on boys, so the picture of autism that clinicians learned was a male one
- some assessment tools are less sensitive to how autism presents in women and girls
- masking hides traits from teachers, doctors and sometimes the women themselves
- autistic women are often misdiagnosed with mental health conditions first
The result is that many women are diagnosed in their thirties, forties or later, often after years of feeling different without knowing why. Our piece on late neurodivergent diagnosis looks at what that moment can feel like, and our short history of autism explains how the early research shaped today’s diagnostic gap.
Getting an autism assessment as an adult
In the UK the usual route is to speak to your GP and ask for a referral for an autism assessment. It helps to write down examples of your traits, from childhood as well as now, and how they affect your life. Waiting times vary a great deal by area. You do not need a diagnosis to ask for adjustments at work, and many people find simply understanding their own needs makes a big difference.
Women who have spoken about being autistic
Public figures speaking openly have helped many women recognise themselves. A few examples:
Temple Grandin
A professor of animal science at Colorado State University, Temple Grandin transformed livestock handling design and has written widely about her own autism, including in Thinking in Pictures.
Susan Boyle
The Scottish singer who found fame on Britain’s Got Talent told the Observer in 2013 that she had been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, and described the diagnosis as a relief.
Anne Hegerty
Known as one of the “chasers” on ITV’s The Chase, Anne Hegerty was diagnosed in her forties and has spoken about being autistic on national TV.
Daryl Hannah
The American actress, known for Splash and Kill Bill, was diagnosed as a child and spoke publicly about being autistic in 2013.
For more examples, read about Bella Ramsey’s autism diagnosis and our list of seven inspiring neurodivergent women.
How Enna can help
If you are an autistic woman looking for work where you will not have to mask to get on, our jobs board features employers who want to hire neurodivergent people. Register for job alerts to hear about new roles as they are posted.
For employers, many autistic women in your organisation will be undiagnosed or will never have mentioned it. Our Neurodiversity Awareness for Managers training helps managers spot when someone may be masking and respond well, and workplace needs assessments identify practical adjustments for individual employees. Our page on autism in the workplace is a good place to start.
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