For every woman diagnosed with Autism, roughly 3 to 6 men are diagnosed.
It is also estimated that the most common age for women to be diagnosed with ADHD is late 30s to early 40s, compared to aged 7 for boys.
​
Let that just sink in for a second and the ask yourself how many young girls and women are walking around feeling confused about their self-identity!
It is imperative that all Autistic individuals receive a diagnosis (or at least recognise that they are Autistic) so they can understand who they are, how their brain works, why they feel, or respond the way they do to the world and relationships in their life, and most importantly, access the correct support when life becomes challenging.
​
There isn’t one specific test to diagnose Autism, and because of this, some girls and women aren’t diagnosed correctly, or the diagnosis may be missed. Autistic individuals may have varying abilities, with some needing high levels of support and others needing little help at all.​
​
Autistic characteristics in girls and woman may differ from those of Autistic boys and men. For example, they might seem to make better eye contact, or have fewer social difficulties, but this can be because they are more likely to hide, or 'mask' their Autistic traits (though the stress of doing this can result in extreme anxiety, overwhelm and self-harming behaviours).
At school, Autistic girls may be more likely to be part of a friendship group and this could be a reason that parents or caregivers don't notice their differences as obviously as with their male peers.
​
You may also hear "it's just hormones" float around too which can be extremely frustrating, or even find your parenting approach being called in to question as a reason for their "behaviour" (yes it sounds unbelievable but it happens!!)
Some of the core characteristics of Autism in girls and women:
​
Social difficulties
Sensory sensitivity
Obsessive interests
Sleep issues
Difficulties with eye contact (but not always!)
Emotional regulation issues
Intrusive thoughts, anxiety and depression
​
Unfortunately, some healthcare clinicians can lack knowledge about how Autism may present differently in girls and women, and this means they may be misdiagnosed with mental health issues or their autistic traits may be missed due to the symptoms of co-morbid conditions.
Some tools used to diagnose Autism are designed to identify Autistic characteristics that may be more common in boys and men. This means the process may not be as sensitive to characteristics more commonly found in Autistic girls and women and unfortunately, they might slip through the "diagnostic cracks".
ADHD is just as common in females as males, but often goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.
​
Symptoms may include restlessness, emotional instability, disorganization, hyperfocus, and low self-esteem.
​
Societal pressures and hormonal changes significantly affect ADHD in women.
​
Symptoms may develop gradually or worsen after experiencing life stressors or triggers.
​
Girls and women may only notice symptoms later in life when there are problems at work, at home, or in relationships.
Who is this workshop for and how can it help?
This workshop is for any adult women who have been diagnosed, are going through the diagnosis process now, or suspect they may be neurodivergent and would like advice, support, and a safe place to explore, understand, and most importantly, celebrate their neurospicy brain!
​
Also parents of diagnosed, waiting to be diagnosed, or suspected neurodivergent girls are welcome.
​
The session is delivered by our founder and lead clinician Gemma. As well as a wealth of professional neurodivergent training, she also has personal experience of this particular area, and the struggles that marry with misdiagnosis, incorrect diagnosis, and the general lack of support for not only neurodivergent girls and women, but their parents and caregivers too.