In recent years, more women and girls are being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Women are more likely to mask their behaviors to fit societal expectations. Unfortunately, this can impact your mental and emotional health.
Receiving an autism diagnosis can make a meaningful difference in your quality of life. If you think you’re autistic, meet with a healthcare professional for an evaluation.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or autism, is a neurodevelopmental condition that’s typically diagnosed during childhood. For a long time, autism was primarily associated with boys and men. However, more recent research has found that autism in women is more common than previously thought. In fact, some counts suggest that the ratio of autistic boys to girls is 3:1, and the numbers may be closer in adults.
Autistic women face some unique challenges, starting with the ability to receive a timely and accurate diagnosis. Learning more about the signs of autism can help you overcome barriers to care and access the right accommodations to improve your daily functioning and well-being.
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 and women is that the vast majority of research focuses on people assigned female at birth (AFAB).
It’s clear that gender and socialization play a role in autism diagnosis and treatment. But we don’t yet have reliable data to show how this experience might be different for gender diverse individuals. 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.
What signs of autism can look like in women
Autism influences how people interact with others and the world around them. Most people with autism experience several core characteristics regardless of their age or gender. However, the way these characteristics present can look different for women.
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1. Social and communication differences
Autism can affect your social and communication skills. You might have a hard time expressing your feelings or have trouble understanding other people’s emotions. Autistic women may be shy or soft-spoken, and they may find eye contact challenging. But it’s important to remember that women who don’t have autism can have similar experiences.
It can be particularly challenging to identify social concerns in autistic women. Compared to men, women tend to be more motivated to form friendships. Autistic women may be more likely to:
Know how to have a reciprocal conversation
Understand verbal and nonverbal communication
Have shared interests with other people
Change their behavior to fit in with their surroundings
2. Sensory processing challenges
Many people with autism experience sensory processing issues. This means they're more or less sensitive to sensory inputs like sound, smell, and taste.
For example, if you’re an autistic woman, you might not like wearing tight clothing, high heels, or makeup. You might also feel overwhelmed when shopping at the grocery store or attending your children's sporting events.
3. Repetitive behaviors and interests
Many autistic people engage in repeated movements and behaviors to help self-regulate. Known as stimming, some common examples include rocking your body, flapping your hands, and repeating words and phrases. Women with autism often engage in less obvious behaviors when they stim. For example, you might twirl your hair or bite your nails.
It’s also common for autistic people to have very specific passions. This varies by person, but women often have more socially accepted interests — like celebrities, animals, and books. Because these are things that many women enjoy, it might not be clear that it’s an autism special interest.
Why autism in women is more often overlooked
Autism in women is often overlooked and misunderstood as early as childhood. Girls are 10 times less likely to be referred for an assessment and 4 times less likely to be diagnosed with autism than boys. And when girls are diagnosed with autism, it typically happens about a year later than boys.
Autism can be difficult to identify in women for several reasons. To start, most autism research focuses on people assigned male at birth. This means screening tools may not account for some of the gender- and sex-based variations in autism. As a result, less is known about how and why the condition affects women.
Women are also more likely than men to mask their symptoms. Masking is when you consciously or unconsciously conceal your behaviors to fit societal expectations.
Examples of masking in women include:
Forcing eye contact
Imitating facial expressions and gestures
Rehearsing conversations or social situations
Hiding special interests
Lastly, autistic women are more likely to have co-occurring mental health conditions. These include anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Having another condition can make it difficult to recognize the signs or complicate your diagnosis.
Understanding how autism affects women
Autism exists on a spectrum, so it can look different for each person. If your symptoms significantly impact your quality of life, you may be more likely to receive a timely diagnosis. But for women with milder presentations of autism, it’s common to overlook or misinterpret the signs.
As mentioned, autistic women often learn to mask their symptoms. Masking can help you feel more comfortable in the moment, but it may have consequences for your long-term mental health and well-being. Concealing part of who you are can affect your confidence, self-esteem, and sense of self.
Research also shows that autistic women are more likely to experience internalizing problems — meaning they tend to turn their struggles inward by blaming themselves or hiding their distress. This can increase your risk of burnout and contribute to anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts* and behaviors.
*The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, confidential support with trained crisis counselors. If you or a loved one is in emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, please call or text 988. If you’re experiencing a life-threatening emergency or you need immediate help, please call 911.
Next steps for women exploring autism
If you believe that you or a woman in your life has autism, consider meeting with a licensed mental health professional for an evaluation. They can help determine if you’re on the autism spectrum and the best way to support you.
For many women with autism, receiving a diagnosis provides a sense of comfort and relief. Learning about the condition can help increase your self-understanding, interpersonal relationships, and ability to cope with challenges. A diagnosis also enables you to access certain accommodations at work and connect with other neurodivergent people.
Many autistic adults benefit from therapeutic techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and applied behavioral analysis (ABA). Your provider may also suggest stress-management strategies or medication for any co-occurring mental health conditions.
If you’re not sure where to start, look for a neurodiversity-affirming therapist who has experience working with autistic women. They'll know how to adapt their approach to your unique strengths and challenges. This is key to helping you feel comfortable and safe.
Before your evaluation or first therapy session, it can be helpful to:
Learn more about autism — especially how it affects women.
Reflect on your past experiences, including your relationship patterns and emotional triggers.
Ask someone you trust, like a partner or close friend, to join your appointment.
Consider what you need to feel comfortable during your evaluation and future appointments.
One of the biggest challenges I see is the emotional exhaustion that comes from years of masking. Many autistic women spend so much energy trying to blend in that they lose touch with who they really are, which can lead to burnout, anxiety, and depression.
Brandy Chalmers, LPC
Clinical reviewer
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For many autistic women, receiving their diagnosis is the first step to feeling more comfortable and living more authentically. Receiving an autism diagnosis can help you receive the support and accommodations you deserve to feel your best.
At Rula, we’re committed to delivering a comprehensive behavioral health experience that helps people feel seen and understood so they can get back to feeling their best.
Rula makes it easier to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who accepts your insurance so you don’t have to choose between affordable care and excellent care. With a diverse network of more than 15,000 providers, 24/7 crisis support, and appointments available as soon as tomorrow, we're here to help you make progress — wherever you are on your mental health journey.
Alex Bachert
Alex Bachert is a freelance copywriter and mental health advocate. Since earning her masters degree in public health, she has focused her career on creating informative content that empowers people to prioritize their health and well-being. Alex has partnered with organizations like Ro, WellTheory, and Firsthand, and her work has been recognized by the Digital Health Association.
When she’s not writing about mental health, Alex is usually playing pickleball, meeting with her local board of health, or enjoying time with her three kids.
Brandy Chalmers, LPC
Having faced challenges like childhood abuse, neglect, and the loss of her father to suicide, Brandy Chalmers is deeply passionate about providing compassionate care. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Nationally Certified Counselor, and Registered Play Therapist with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy.
Brandy also teaches at a university, sharing her expertise with future mental health professionals. With over a decade of experience in settings like inpatient care and private practice, she specializes in helping clients with perfectionism, trauma, personality disorders, eating disorders, and life changes.
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Rula's editorial team is on a mission to make science-backed mental health insights accessible and practical for every person seeking to better understand or improve mental wellness.
Members of Rula’s clinical leadership team and other expert providers contribute to all published content, offering guidance on themes and insights based on their firsthand experience in the field. Every piece of content is thoroughly reviewed by a clinician before publishing.
