Unseen and Unheard: Shedding Light on Autism in Women

Strategic Insights -

Dr. Rachel Moseley, Principal Academic in Psychology at Bournemouth University, recently hosted an event titled "Autism and Women" at the Talbot Campus, where she shared her personal experiences of growing up with undiagnosed autism and its lesser-known female experience. Dr. Moseley emphasized that women and girls often go unseen and unheard due to societal expectations and outdated stereotypes. She highlighted that common portrayals of autism in media, such as the exceptional abilities of white autistic males, contribute to the under-diagnosis of autistic people assigned female at birth.

Key Takeaways:

  • Dr. Rachel Moseley defined autism as a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by difficulties with social imagination and the ability to imagine how others may feel, think, or experience.
  • Women and girls often learn to camouflage or mask their difficulties by copying social behaviors, which can protect them from bullying or exclusion but also lead to burnout and misdiagnosis.
  • The portrayal of autism as exceptional abilities in media, such as the Big Bang Theory and The Good Doctor, perpetuates the misconception that autistic people have exceptional abilities and contributes to the under-diagnosis of women and girls.
  • Dr. Moseley highlighted that despite being an expert in her field, she experienced burnout during her studies and later in the workplace, emphasizing the need for support and accommodations for individuals with autism.
  • Women are often diagnosed with autism later in life, after being misdiagnosed with mental health conditions or personality disorders, due to outdated stereotypes and cultural gender expectations.
  • Diagnosis can be a relief, but it can also trigger feelings of grief, regret, and anger about previous suffering that could have been avoided.
  • Dr. Moseley emphasized the importance of including people of all genders, sexes, races, ethnicities, and backgrounds in autism research to improve our understanding of the condition and deliver more effective support.
  • The event highlighted the variability in how people with autism experience their condition and the need for varying levels of support.

Statistics:

  • Screening tests for autism are still based on male presentations of the condition.
  • Women and girls often experience undiagnosed or misdiagnosed autism due to societal expectations and outdated stereotypes.
  • Research suggests that autistic people are often misdiagnosed with mental health conditions or personality disorders.
  • Diagnosis of autism can be delayed, with women often being diagnosed in their late 20s or early 30s.
  • Camouflaging or masking can lead to burnout, mental health issues, and misdiagnosis in women and girls.

Sources:

  • [No source date] Seed Talks hosted the event "Autism and Women with Dr Rachel Moseley" at Bournemouth University on Wednesday 9 October.
  • Dr. Rachel Moseley, Principal Academic in Psychology at Bournemouth University.