Please tell me about autism in women?

[MamaPingu]

I can't seem to find information on it when I google it, just seems to come up with loads of babble.

I have an eating disorder that is linked with autism and was wondering if I had it. I have always known I'm different but I always though that was just how I was until another MNer suggested I mention it to my doctor.

So what is autism like in women? I realise it's different to autism in men but that's all I know. Apparently it's not as noticeable as it is in men?

[Meglet]

It seems to be more understood in women these days. I was textbook ASD as a child and teenager, but have learnt how to act normally as an adult.

IIRC it tends to show as eating disorders, anxiety, depression, self harm etc. Something to do with women learning how to hide their ASD tendencies but then struggling to constantly fit in.

I had an assessment last year at the age of 39 (pushed by sister who works in mental health). Sadly the woman who did it knew nothing about ASD in females and said she couldn't give me a diagnosis as an adult, (despite having lots of ASD tendencies as a child and on paper) as I was able to make eye contact, appropriate hand movements and I didn't like train spotting etc. But she did say I had depression and severe anxiety . So I'm getting a second opinion from a centre who has experience in females instead of a batshit woo lady who lights candles in her office.

Sorry, I've waffled a bit. There's a couple of good books on the subject, let me google them and come back.

[Meglet]

....there's a book called Aspergirls. And I think the ones by Tony Attwood are helpful.

[Khimaira]

There's a section about Gender and Autism on the autism.org.uk website. Might be useful or have references in it? (I haven't read it)

[MamaPingu]

I just read what you suggest an be autism website thankyou very much. I am starting to get an idea about this. Some things on there do ring a bell for me where a few others do not.

I'm hoping some others with autism will come along and post soon it would be great to hear more experiences with it. They kept talking about the struggles autistic women have at work, I wasn't fully sure what they were getting at?
And any ideas how to spot someone who is learning social codes rather than doing them naturally? I feel that could be me, I was slightly socially awkward when I was younger but I remember actually observing people and consciously learning how to do what they do in order to fit in around the age of 16 and things have improved since I learnt how to communicate a little better

[MamaPingu]

Bump

[willyoulistentome]

Tony attwoods book is good and has a section on AS in females. ' A complete guide to Aspergers' may be of interest. You could get your gp to refer you to a local specialist in ASD.

[JenBehavingBadly]

I was about to recommend Aspergirls too.

I think a lot of girls with Aspergers are wrongly diagnosed as having borderline PD because of the way it can manifest itself. I've certainly come across one RL example.

People with Aspergers can learn social norms, but it takes time and still won't always work.

You can ask your GP to send you for assessment and if they're sympathetic, will do so.

[darjeelingdarling]

Hi Mama. I teach children with ASD. Have you heard of/ read about Temple Grandin? She has written a lot about her autism.