Why Adult Females with Autism Are Often Missed?
More and more adult women are being diagnosed with autism later in life. Why have they been missed for so long? This article explores gender bias, masking behaviors, and the unique presentation of female autism.
The 'Invisible' Autistic Woman
For a long time, autism was considered a 'male condition'. Early research focused primarily on boys, leading to diagnostic criteria largely based on male presentations. Autistic women often present different traits or are better at hiding them, leading to them being overlooked while growing up.
The Art of Masking
Women are often subject to stronger social pressure to 'behave' and 'fit in' than men. As a result, many autistic women learn to observe and mimic the social behaviors of their peers from a young age. This coping mechanism, known as 'masking' or 'camouflaging', while helping them integrate, also hides their true struggles, making it difficult for professionals to detect their autistic traits.
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