Female Autism Explained

Autism in women and girls often looks different to the way it is described in textbooks. Many females develop strong coping strategies such as masking — imitating social behaviours, hiding struggles, or working hard to appear “normal.” While masking can help in the short term, it often leads to exhaustion, anxiety, and burnout. Key differences often seen in female autism include:

• Strong ability to mimic or mask social behaviours.

• Deep, passionate interests that may appear “socially typical” (e.g. animals, literature, celebrities).

• High empathy and sensitivity, sometimes mistaken as “overly emotional”.

• Internalising struggles rather than externalising behaviours.

• Higher rates of misdiagnosis with anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder, or eating disorders.

Recognising these patterns helps us understand why many autistic women and girls slip through the cracks — and why tailored, affirming assessment is essential.