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Topics: Advice, Health, Mental Health, Women's Health
Mia Williams
Topics: Advice, Health, Mental Health, Women's Health
Studies show that the signs of autism in women are much different to those that appear in men, after doctors say it is harder to diagnose.
Autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning that signs show up differently in every single person.
However, research suggests that traits experienced by men can be wholly different from those experienced by women.
While it's commonly known that more men suffer with the condition than women, doctors are now suggesting that there may actually be a huge amount of women undiagnosed - a possible explanation for the huge difference in numbers.
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It's also been showed that women are more likely to 'mask' their symptoms from an early age, making it more difficult for professionals to spot.
"Masking or camouflaging can be described as hiding, disguising, or suppressing parts of yourself to try and fit in with people around you," explains Dr Selina Warlow of The Nook Clinic (a neurodevelopmental clinic).
"It can be a common trait in spectrum conditions, and it is a trait which we will often see in women and girls with autism. However, men with autism may also mask."
While the condition is very individual, there are some common symptoms that women tend to experience.
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Oxford CBT revealed that key signs include social challenges, unique communication styles, intense but socially acceptable interests, and high sensitivity to sensory stimuli.
As well as this, camouflaging symptoms to fit in is seen far more in females than males.
But this can lead to significant mental health impacts.
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Among women, mild autism and late diagnosis are also extremely prevalent, and the research suggests how important it is for children to get professionally evaluated, if autism is remotely suspected.
Dr Warlow warned that masking is a more common trait in people with autism 'who may mask to avoid prejudice, stigma, bullying and discrimination to blend into a neurotypical world'.
The National Autistic Society noted that ‘society’s understanding of autism has been limited to outdated stereotypes and incorrect assumptions’.
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They explain: "Stereotyped examples of these include rocking backwards and forwards, and a fascination with trains. However, in autistic women and girls these behaviours and interests may be similar to those of non-autistic women and girls, such as twirling hair and reading books, and as such may go unnoticed despite the greater intensity or focus typical for autistic people.”
The society added that some healthcare professionals and doctors don't even understand how the condition affects women differently, which only contributes to the problem.