The Experiences of Late-diagnosed Women with Autism Spectrum Conditions: An Investigation of the Female Autism Phenotype

Sarah Bargiela; Robyn Steward; William Mandy

doi:10.1007/s10803-016-2872-8

The Experiences of Late-diagnosed Women with Autism Spectrum Conditions: An Investigation of the Female Autism Phenotype

J Autism Dev Disord. 2016 Oct;46(10):3281-94. doi: 10.1007/s10803-016-2872-8.

Authors

Sarah Bargiela¹, Robyn Steward², William Mandy³

Affiliations

¹ Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, UCL, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
² Centre for Research in Autism and Education, UCL Institute of Child Health, 55-59 Gordon Square, London, WC1H 0NU, UK.
³ Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, UCL, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK. w.mandy@ucl.ac.uk.

Abstract

We used Framework Analysis to investigate the female autism phenotype and its impact upon the under-recognition of autism spectrum conditions (ASC) in girls and women. Fourteen women with ASC (aged 22-30 years) diagnosed in late adolescence or adulthood gave in-depth accounts of: 'pretending to be normal'; of how their gender led various professionals to miss their ASC; and of conflicts between ASC and a traditional feminine identity. Experiences of sexual abuse were widespread in this sample, partially reflecting specific vulnerabilities from being a female with undiagnosed ASC. Training would improve teachers' and clinicians' recognition of ASC in females, so that timely identification can mitigate risks and promote wellbeing of girls and women on the autism spectrum.

Keywords: Autism spectrum conditions (ASC); Autism spectrum disorder (ASD); Diagnosis; Female autism phenotype.

MeSH terms

Adult
Autism Spectrum Disorder / diagnosis*
Autism Spectrum Disorder / psychology*
Delayed Diagnosis / psychology*
Female
Humans
Male
Phenotype*
Sex Factors
Surveys and Questionnaires
Young Adult