title: The Experiences of Late-diagnosed Women with Autism Spectrum Conditions: An Investigation of the Female Autism Phenotype.
abstract: We used Framework Analysis to investigate the female autism phenotype and its impact upon the under-recognition of autism spectrum conditions (ASC) in girls and women. Fourteen women with ASC (aged 22-30 years) diagnosed in late adolescence or adulthood gave in-depth accounts of: 'pretending to be normal'; of how their gender led various professionals to miss their ASC; and of conflicts between ASC and a traditional feminine identity. Experiences of sexual abuse were widespread in this sample, partially reflecting specific vulnerabilities from being a female with undiagnosed ASC. Training would improve teachers' and clinicians' recognition of ASC in females, so that timely identification can mitigate risks and promote wellbeing of girls and women on the autism spectrum.
authors.affiliation: Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, UCL, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bargiela
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research in Autism and Education, UCL Institute of Child Health, 55-59 Gordon Square, London, WC1H 0NU, UK.
authors.forename: Robyn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Steward
authors.affiliation: Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, UCL, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK. w.mandy@ucl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mandy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Autism spectrum conditions (ASC); Autism spectrum disorder (ASD); Diagnosis; Female autism phenotype