A qualitative exploration of the female experience of autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Open accessAbstract
Autism spectrum disorder is thought to be a predominantly male diagnosis, however recent research suggests a smaller gender disparity in prevalence than previously assumed. Accounts of the female experience of autism are important to help reduce likely male-bias in current understanding and recognition of autism. Eighteen autistic females and four mothers of autistic females took part in discussions with a topic guide around diagnosis, impact and coping. A thematic analysis was conducted. Five themes were identified: fitting in the with the norm, potential obstacles for autistic women and girls, negative aspects of autism, the perspective of others, and positive aspects of having autism. We hope that greater understanding of the experiences of autistic females may lead to improved awareness, diagnosis and support for women and girls.
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Masking social communication difficulties is suggested as a key reason why females may not come to clinical attention and may fail to reach diagnostic thresholds during assessments.
“this has been suggested as a key reason why females may not come to clinical attention and may fail to reach diagnostic thresholds during assessments (Milner et al. 2019).”
From Barriers to Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis for Young Women and Girls: a Systematic Review (2021) · cites this paper as Milner et al. 2019
Black and white thinking may underlie some of the perceived strengths of autism, such as a strong sense of justice, by forcing binary judgements and subsequent beliefs and positions about ethical situations.
“Indeed, black and white thinking may underlie some of the perceived strengths of autism, such as a strong sense of justice [5], by forcing binary judgements and subsequent beliefs and positions about ethical situations.”
From Autistic Cognition: Charting Routes to Anxiety (2021) · cites this paper as [5]
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- Authors
- Milner, V., McIntosh, H., Colvert, E., & Happé, F.
- Affiliations
- King's College London (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Milner, Victoria
- Venue
- Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Published
- 2019-02-21
- Volume
- 49
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 2389-2402
- ISSN
- 0162-3257 (ISSN-L)
- 1573-3432
- PMC
- PMC6546643
- OpenAlex
- W2917614824
- Cited by
- 262
- References
- 31
- Citations by year
- 2026: 25 · 2025: 33 · 2024: 58 · 2023: 42 · 2022: 38 · 2021: 36 · 2020: 23 · 2019: 7
- FWCI
- 15.12
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Research Portal (King's College London) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Funders
- Economic and Social Research Council (ES/M011488/1)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Family and Disability Support Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues
- Keywords
- autism spectrum disorder, autistic women, autistic girls, lived experience, diagnosis, coping, gender bias, mothers of autistic children, autism awareness
- MeSH terms
- Autism Spectrum Disorder, Adaptation, Psychological, Adolescent, Adult, Child, Female, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Mothers, Sex Characteristics, Thinking, Prevalence, Qualitative Research, Young Adult
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