More and more women are being diagnosed with autism. Only the disorder manifests itself very differently with them, so that it is often not recognized until late. “Often these women become very good at something they are not really good at:being social.”
Limitations in verbal and non-verbal communication and social interaction are the best-known behavioral features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Want to know more about ASD in women? Check Femaleautismnetwork.jimdo.com
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According to statistics, autism is mainly a male thing, because in the Netherlands only one in five people with ASD is female. How did that happen? According to doctor-researcher Anne Fleur Stapert of the Autism Team North Netherlands, autism is often not recognized in women. “This is partly because women are naturally better at communication and social interaction than men. That starts at a young age. Where boys have more tantrums and tantrums and are interested in specific topics such as the galaxy, girls mainly look at social behavior in their environment. They figure themselves out in class, making them appear shy. For example, they learn from an early age to disguise their autism with socially desirable behaviour. And they often keep it up for a long time, so that their autism is not always revealed.”
Research also shows that the diagnosis of autism in women is often wrong or late. This is because current diagnostic tools are mainly aimed at men. As many as 45 percent of women with autism are first misdiagnosed, such as an anxiety, mood, or personality disorder. Fortunately, that is changing. Stapert:“The realization that autism looks different in women than in men is growing, which is why, for example, camouflage behavior is now also specifically looked at.”
Women with ASD often mirror themselves to women who know how to keep all the balls in the air. And that while that costs them a lot more energy. The problem is that women with an autism spectrum disorder set the bar too high for themselves. Stapert:“Often women with ASD are so used to adapting to any situation from an early age that their camouflage behavior has become second nature. They come a long way with that, but the downside is that they ask too much of themselves and no longer know what behavior really belongs to them.” According to her, contact with other women with ASD can help with the recognition and acknowledgment of herself.
To what extent do you recognize these autistic traits? Answer with yes, sometimes or no.
Do you find it easy to have a conversation?
Yes – Sometimes – No
Do you find it easy to keep a conversation going?
Yes – Sometimes – No
Can you estimate when eye contact is appropriate?
Yes – Sometimes – No
Do you find it easy to understand the body language of others?
Yes – Sometimes – No
Does it cost you a lot of energy to be at a birthday or party?
Yes – Sometimes – No
Do you have a good sense of what is appropriate behavior in social situations?
Yes – Sometimes – No
Do you find it easy to pretend to be different from how you feel?
Yes – Sometimes – No
Do you have a high physical pain tolerance?
Yes – Sometimes – No
Do you recognize it when other people use sarcasm or irony (humour)?
Yes – Sometimes – No
Do you quickly become overstimulated by sounds, touches, structures, tastes, patterns or colors?
Yes – Sometimes – No
Do you find it difficult to notice your own needs and limits?
Yes – Sometimes – No
Are there certain movements that you compulsively repeat when you are stressed?
Yes – Sometimes -No
Do you have trouble with changes in your daily routine?
Yes – Sometimes – No
Can you completely lose yourself in one specific hobby (or subject)?
Yes – Sometimes – No
Do you often notice details that others don't?
Yes – Sometimes – No
The more often you have answered yes or sometimes, the more characteristics you have from the autism spectrum. But… more important is whether this affects you in your daily life. If so, discuss this with your doctor. They may refer you to a specialist in the field of ASD.
(Source test:Mentaalbeter.nl)
Source:Santé February 2020, text:Esmir van Wering
