Challenges in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Older Autistic Women

• By: Mary P. Donahue, PhD Mindful Paths Psychological Services, LLC
• April 11th, 2023
• adult diagnosis, camouflaging, communication, diagnosis, gender bias, girls and women, masking, older adults, research, Spring 2023 Issue, supporting sensory needs, treatment
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Autism has a unique neurological structure with a wide variety of expressions. This diversity of strengths, challenges, and experiences is why autism is considered a spectrum disorder. It’s also what makes it challenging to diagnose and treat because the myriad of symptoms manifested in any given...

Late-Diagnosed Autism and Camouflaging in People Assigned Female at Birth

• By: Britt Boylan (They/Them) Naropa University Student Pursuing an MA in Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Counseling
• April 9th, 2023
• adult diagnosis, camouflaging, diagnosis, diagnostic barriers, gender, inclusive diagnostic criteria, living authentically, masking, societal expectations, Spring 2023 Issue
• 1959    0

It is becoming increasingly understood that there are marked differences in autism between genders. This has led to people assigned female at birth (AFAB) to being diagnosed in adolescence or adulthood at a higher rate compared to people assigned male at birth (AMAB) (Wood-Downie et al., 2020). I...