– the book, she “wishes someone else had written” for her 30 years earlier – with the goal to share her experience of living with undiagnosed autism and help other “lost girls” self-identify.
The late diagnosis of autism in women is a significant issue that can have negative consequences for mental health and wellbeing – particularly at work. By increasing awareness of the unique experiences of women on the spectrum and supporting early diagnosis and intervention, we can help to ensure that all individuals on the autism spectrum receive the support and resources they need to thrive.
Here are 4 key points of awareness that Jane wants to bring to women who may be wondering if they should seek a diagnosis.The pressure to conform to societal expectations can be overwhelming, leading many to push themselves to excel in every aspect of their lives."Undiagnosed Autistic women normalise high achievement,” Jane says. “If I’m doing a degree I am coming away with a First, a post-graduate course, a distinction.
One of the main reasons women take longer to diagnose is that they are far better than men at masking their autistic traits to fit in with what is deemed socially ‘normal.’ When doing this all the time though, it can lead to burnout. “We do not have a filter,” Jane observes. “We say what we think. I socially mask my ‘no filter’ out [because] I live with a fear that I sound arrogant and rude, when I don’t mean to or want to be.
"All the thoughts I used to have about my life being really hard I now realise were totally valid. It turns out my life has been harder than most,” explains Jane. Pre-diagnosis I felt ‘othered’ and ‘wrong.’ Now I know I am simply different.If you're wondering if you might be on the autism spectrum, it's important to seek out a professional evaluation from a trained healthcare provider or psychologist.