Autism in Women and Girls: Updated Insights for Awareness and Support
In Honor of My Daughter
This month’s blog is close to my heart. April is World Autism Month, and I’m writing this in honor of my youngest daughter who is autistic. She is bright, intuitive, and wonderfully unique—yet like many autistic girls, her differences weren’t immediately recognized. Her journey opened my eyes to how autism often presents differently in girls and women, and how easily it can be misunderstood and often times misdiagnosed.
Why Autism Often Goes Undetected in Girls
Autism has long been diagnosed using a model based on boys. As a result, girls are often overlooked or misdiagnosed—sometimes for years. They might appear social, imaginative, or "just shy," but underneath, they’re often masking their true selves.
Masking is the ability to copy social behaviors, suppress natural responses, and try to "fit in." While it can help someone blend in socially, it often leads to exhaustion, anxiety, and even identity confusion.
Dr. Devon Price, author of Unmasking Autism, describes masking as a survival strategy that many autistic individuals, especially women and girls, develop at a high emotional cost. He writes, “Autistic people often learn to perform normalcy at the expense of their mental health” (Price, 2022). That hit home for me as both a mom and a clinician.
Common Misdiagnoses in Women and Girls
Because autism can look so different in females, it’s often misdiagnosed as:
Anxiety disorders
Depression
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Borderline Personality Disorder
ADHD (sometimes only ADHD is diagnosed, and autism is missed)
While these diagnoses may sometimes coexist with autism, many girls and women are left feeling confused, unsupported, or like they’re “too much” or “not enough.”
What Autism Can Look Like in Girls
According to Autism Speaks, autistic girls and women may:
Have strong social mimicry skills – appearing social by copying others
Develop intense special interests – often in socially accepted topics like animals, celebrities, or books
Experience high sensitivity – to light, noise, textures, or emotional environments
Internalize struggles – leading to anxiety, perfectionism, or emotional shutdowns
Rather than acting out, many girls "act in." They try so hard to appear okay that no one sees how hard they’re working just to get through the day.
Real Stories, Real Strength
We’re seeing more women bravely share their stories of late diagnosis, helping to change the narrative.
Bella Ramsey, star of The Last of Us, recently revealed her autism diagnosis. She described it as a relief and a way to understand herself better: “It’s part of who I am,” she said. (New York Post)
Khadija Gbla, a human rights activist, was diagnosed at 34. Growing up as a refugee, she masked constantly, trying to be perfect. Her diagnosis helped her understand her sensitivities and strengths—and begin healing. (Adelaide Now)
Ways to Support and Thrive
Being autistic doesn’t mean something is wrong. It means the brain processes the world differently—and that’s something to respect and support. Here are a few helpful strategies:
Therapy that honors neurodiversity, such as EMDR, Parts Work, or trauma-informed care, can help process burnout, masking fatigue, or past misdiagnoses.
Reduce sensory overwhelm with things like quiet spaces, weighted blankets, or headphones.
Structure and routine can reduce anxiety and make life feel more predictable and safe.
Validate strengths—like empathy, focus, or creativity—while offering tools for challenges.
Foster connection with other autistic women and communities who “get it.”
Every autistic woman or girl deserves to be seen not just for her struggles—but for her whole self.
Let’s Keep Learning
As a mom and mental health professional, I’m still learning too. I know firsthand how different things can look outside the traditional diagnostic box. Whether you’re a parent, partner, clinician, or just curious—keep asking questions. Keep listening. Keep honoring the voices and experiences of autistic women and girls.
World Autism Month is about awareness, but more than that—it’s about acceptance and action.
References
Autism Speaks. (n.d.). Signs of autism in women and girls. Retrieved from https://www.autismspeaks.org/signs-autism-women
National Autistic Society. (n.d.). Autistic women and girls. Retrieved from https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/what-is-autism/autistic-women-and-girls
Price, D. (2022). Unmasking Autism: Discovering the new faces of neurodiversity. Penguin Random House.
New York Post. (2025). Bella Ramsey reveals why she publicly shared her autism diagnosis. https://nypost.com/2025/03/25/entertainment/bella-ramsey-on-why-she-shared-her-autism-diagnosis
Adelaide Now. (2025). Khadija Gbla on her autism diagnosis at 34. https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/lifestyle/sa-weekend/human-rights-activist-khadija-gbla-shares-insight-into-laterinlife-autism-diagnosis/news-story/c6f65ef913e4b568df316ea7b5439dbb