Autism symptoms in GIRLS

Autism symptoms in girls can be quite different from the stereotypical presentation we see in the media (and which was taught to me as a Psychology undergraduate 10 years ago).

Autism in women and girls is far more likely to be diagnosed later in life, but we still struggle just as much as men on the spectrum, and struggling through when undiagnosed can be very detrimental to our mental health.

Watch this video for more information on:
- Stims
- Social skills/communication
- Executive functioning
- Special interests
- Sensory issues
- Co-morbid/ misdiagnosed mental health conditions

Suggested videos:

#autismingirls #actuallyautistic #autism

[izzydandrea]

I’m just an introvert, I’m just an introvert, I’m just an introvert, ...

[souphater]

"Shy? Weird? Lazy?"
me: *who summmoned me*

[lemon]

is anyone else just like "maybe i just have all the symptoms listed but im not actually autistic"

[abbigailcarr]

Me: “I’m probably not autistic I just have social anxiety and am weird and don’t understand social cues and politeness and unspoken rules”

Also me, 10 times a day: “Am I making too much eye contact or not enough?”

[evelynraye]

ahh yes the daily struggle of “is this a symptom of adhd.. anxiety.. depression... asd or all of the above?” 🤠

[kappapride]

My main struggle so far is constantly asking myself "Am I autistic or am I just deluding myself to give myself an excuse to all my failures?". I've learned so much about symptoms that all the tests that are given to me only cause more anxiety because I feel as though I'm cheating on it.

Updating this for those who are curious. I self diagnosed myself with autism after a continuous research and conversations with autistic people. Unfortunately it's near impossible for me to get an official diagnosis in this country at my age but it's probably for the best considering how autism is perceived in this country to begin with (i.e. this might cause complications with jobs). Other than that, it's really nice to finally be at peace with myself. It obviously doesn't end there as I've still got a lot to learn. Hope this works out for you guys as well.

[von]

Sees thumbnail:
"Shy? Weird? Lazy?"


**is panicking**

[sarahellis]

I relate to:
Feeling like you dont fit in, in friendship groups and with people in general
Inability to talk to boys
Being obsessed with certain things and info dumping on people
Finding it hard to ask for help
Always procrastinating and doing things last minute
Being depressed and suffering with social anxiety
I used to bite my cheeks a lot/ hair sucking as a child
Daily adult tasks such as managing a house is really difficult
Retreating into my own world
Feeling so different and not knowing why

[its_Vampyre]

Either this needs to stop being relatable or I need to get tested.

[louise]

im just a hypersensitive introverted nerd, im just a hypersensitive introverted nerd, im just a hypersensitive introverted nerd...

[nicoleolmsted]

"You constantly feel different and you don't know why." Oh dear now I'm crying...

[thenerdasaurus]

God the last past where you talked about slowly developing social anxiety due to micro rejections…. nearly brought me to tears. That shit is exactly what happened to me in middle school. You set out to help at least one person with your video and I think you’ve outdone yourself. Thank you so much for making this.

[ellarenee]

i’m an introvert with anxiety, just an introvert with anxiety, just an introvert with anxiety

[TheFreekje]

im just gonna act like I didn't relate to any of these points and never watched this video

[lesborashomon]

The daily struggle of “is this adhd, anxiety and depression combined” or “is this adhd and autism”

Edit : I got diagnosed with all four

[saturn]

The part about outwardly having friends but not feeling like having them, I relate to SO much. I used to tell my parents all the time that I had no or very few friends. I remember saying this a lot in middle school especially. Then my sister would ask me to name all my friends and I would list off seven or eight people and my sister was like see? You have friends!
But I would always feel like such an imposter when with them. Only one person out of those eight was someone I felt truly, wholeheartedly comfortable with. I was always afraid they weren't real friends or that they were always secretly judging me, even though, looking back, they always treated me like I was one of them and they probably did consider me a friend. After growing older, I just assumed those thoughts were from anxiety, especially since I STILL have those thoughts with people who are close friends. But maybe it's not entirely anxiety

[emileealizabeth]

I'm scared to tell my mother I believe i have autism because I dont think she'll believe me and think I'm being dramatic :/

[gracelewis]

"I could write an essay on a complex topic but I couldn't express my basic needs" That resontated with me more than I expected it to.

Edit: why do comments that just agree with what the video says get so many upvotes? Don't like this comment, like the video. I didn't contribute anything to the conversation!

[imogencorrigan]

One of my issues is not knowing how to talk to people my age. I find it extremely difficult to relate to them. Talking to older people has always been way easier for me. I also experience a lot of social anxiety and see every little thing, like you said, as a sort of rejection: shifting eyes, pauses, sighs, etc. This would explain it, but my parents would never take me seriously if I mentioned my concerns.

[dabarr]

I was clocked for autism within the minute I met my therapist. My brother was diagnosed but I was overlooked and struggled so hard. It came as such a shock for everyone, especially me