Take our assessment for autism in women

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or autism is a form of neurodiversity characterized by communication and social challenges, repetitive behaviors, and restricted interests. In the past, it was thought of as a male condition. But today, we know that it can affect people of all gender identities and expressions. 

Unfortunately, much of our understanding about what autism “looks like” stems from research focused on autism in cisgender boys and men. So, many women with autism don’t receive the support they deserve because their symptoms don’t reflect “typical” autistic behavior. Women may also be better at controlling or concealing their symptoms due to the way they’re socialized. This is referred to as masking, and it can make autism harder to detect. 

The choice to pursue an autism evaluation as an adult is a personal one. Some people find it helpful to have a framework for their experiences, and it can also increase access to resources. Only a medical or mental health professional can provide an official diagnosis. But if you’re an adult woman and think you may have autism, the following test can help you better understand yourself. While not a replacement for a professional evaluation, it can uncover meaningful insights and help you know when to seek support.

A note on language: At Rula, we believe that all people, regardless of gender, deserve research-backed information to support their mental health. One of the challenges in discussing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and women is that most of the research focuses on people assigned male at birth. It’s clear that gender and socialization play a role in autism identification and diagnosis. But we don’t yet have reliable data to demonstrate how this experience might diverge for gender-diverse people. This is because, unfortunately, the scientific community has largely focused on autism as it presents in cisgender boys and men. As new, more inclusive research is published, we’re committed to updating our content to reflect these changes.

Are you experiencing signs of autism?

When you take this test, remember that there are no right or wrong answers. Just try to reflect on your recent past and choose the response that feels true for you most of the time.

1. Did you feel like you were an “outsider” as a kid, like everyone knew a secret to friendship that you didn’t?

   • Yes

   • No

   • Sometimes

2. Do you find social interactions performative, like you’re following a script or playing a character?

   • Yes

   • No

   • Sometimes

3. Do you have special interests that you research with intensity?

   • Yes

   • No

   • Sometimes

4. Do you find it difficult to tell when others are being sarcastic or joking?

   • Yes

   • No

   • Sometimes

5. Do you experience sensory sensitivity to certain textures, sounds, or lights? 

   • Yes

   • No

   • Sometimes

6. Does eye contact feel unnatural or difficult for you, particularly in close relationships?

   • Yes

   • No

   • Sometimes

7. Have others told you that you’re too direct, blunt, or rude when you don’t realize it?

   • Yes

   • No

   • Sometimes

8. Do you find small talk confusing to navigate?

   • Yes

   • No

   • Sometimes

9. Is it hard for you to imagine how someone else might feel if their experience is different from yours?

   • Yes

   • No

   • Sometimes

10. Have others told you that you’re too sensitive or take things too seriously?

    • Yes

    • No

    • Sometimes

11. Do you tend to do best with routine and predictability and often seek that out?

    • Yes

    • No

    • Sometimes

12. Do you engage in self-soothing behaviors, like rubbing your hands/feet or shaking your hands?

    • Yes

    • No

    • Sometimes

13. Is it difficult for you to pick up on nonverbal social cues, like facial expressions?

    • Yes

    • No

    • Sometimes

Quiz content written by Lolly Coleman, MS, LMFT.

What do your test scores mean?

After answering each question, tally up how many times you responded yes, no, or sometimes. Once you have your totals, here’s how to interpret your score:

• If you answered mostly yes, you may have symptoms of autism. If you need support, you may wish to consider working with a therapist who specializes in neurodiversity.

• If you answered mostly no, you likely aren’t experiencing autism symptoms. But that doesn’t mean you can’t seek help for other mental health concerns.

• If you answer mostly sometimes, you may have some autism symptoms. While they may ebb and flow depending on the situation, it might still be worth seeking a professional evaluation.

This test was created by a mental health professional who understands how autism can affect women and is informed by research-backed assessments ^[1]. But as you review your results, keep in mind that autism exists on a spectrum. This means that symptoms can show up differently and range in severity from one person to the next. 

For some women, autism might have a limited impact on their lives. But for women with more severe symptoms, autism may negatively affect their daily functioning, relationships, and quality of life. This test can’t determine where your symptoms fall on the autism spectrum. However, just remember that you don’t need to meet a certain threshold of severity to ask for help. 

Next steps to diagnosing autism in women

If you suspect you might have autism, the next steps are up to you. If you’re interested in a formal diagnosis, you’ll need to meet with a medical or mental health professional for an evaluation. Typically, therapists, psychologists, psychiatric providers, and primary care doctors can provide these assessments. 

During your evaluation, your provider will want to understand how your symptoms affect you, when they started, and what tends to make them better or worse. Sometimes, it can be hard to find the right words for these experiences — especially if your symptoms have evolved throughout your life. If that’s the case for you, consider sharing your test score with your provider. Your results can paint a clearer picture of your current strengths and challenges and help ensure you get the right support for your needs.

Clinician’s take

One common way masking shows up is feeling like you’re constantly performing in social situations. Many women realize they’ve been carefully managing their tone, expressions, and reactions for years, which helps explain why social and emotional exhaustion has been a constant theme.

Brandy Chalmers, LPC

Clinical reviewer