Autism in Women: Why So Many Are Diagnosed Later in Life

A few words on autism in adult women, by Dr Alison Lennox.

For decades autism was thought to be mostly a boys’ condition. Diagnostic frameworks, research studies, and clinical training were all built around a male-centred model. Many women grow up feeling “different” without knowing why, only to discover in adulthood – sometimes after years of misdiagnoses or self-doubt – they were autistic all along. 

So, why the delay? Part of the reason is that the traditional stereotype of autism was based on how it appears in boys. 

Girls and women, on the other hand, often become experts at “masking” to blend in. From rehearsing social scripts to mimicking facial expressions, they may learn to camouflage their differences. These strategies can create the appearance of social competence, but often at great emotional cost.

This continual effort to fit in can make life both exhausting and unsustainable. Women may appear confident and sociable, yet feel drained after even brief interactions, often needing time alone to recover. They might be labelled as “shy,” “unstable,” or “too much,” or be misdiagnosed, while the deeper reason – autism – remains hidden.

When women finally do get diagnosed, the moment can feel deeply validating. The recognition brings coherence to experiences that previously seemed random. Suddenly, traits such as intense interests, discomfort with loud noises, a need for routine, or difficulty reading social cues make perfect sense. They are reinterpreted not as flaws but as integral aspects of one’s neurological identity.

For many women, this understanding marks the beginning of self-acceptance, improved wellbeing, and more effective self-advocacy. 

As awareness grows, clinicians are becoming better at identifying autism across genders and life stages. A thoughtful, specialist assessment, conducted with sensitivity to the female presentation of autism, can provide invaluable clarity. Private clinics such as the London Lauriston Clinic offer tailored adult autism assessments, allowing individuals to explore these questions in a supportive, confidential setting.

So yes, autistic women may have arrived “fashionably late,” but they’re changing the narrative with grace. 

This article was written by Dr Alison Lennox, Consultant Neurodevelopmental Psychiatrist, offering adult autism assessments at the London Lauriston Clinic.