7 Signs of Autism in Females - Autistic traits in girls and women

In this video, I'm going to talk about the 7 signs and symptoms of autism in females, that may be overlooked. I'll discuss the different symptoms that are common in girls and women, and what you can do if you or a loved-one has some of these autistic traits.
Autism may present differently in girls and women. This video is educational and informative, based on my own lived experience, as well as the many conversations I have had with other autistic women and parents of autistic girls, as well as the research I have done.

Thank you for watching. Please subscribe to receive the latest videos about autism, neurodiversity, ADHD, Tourette's, anxiety and chronic health conditions such as Dysautonomia/POTS and hypermobile EDS.

[DavidGonzalezSamudio]

Having ADHD and ASD makes you behave introverted with strangers and extroverted to your friends, sometimes. This make look common to neurotypicals but we are masking all the way as every action is done deliberately and not intuitively. Being rude is often result of masking not being enough to regulate the tone we want.

[Isbah-Izzy-Lou]

I’m watching this video because I’m finally getting tested in April but for some reason I feel like I’m faking it (even though I’m not) the more research I do the more sure I feel. I just can’t wait for the confirmation.

[lrwiersum]

Gut issues from day one, anxiety, dyslexia, left handed, CPTSD and finally the REAL diagnosis !! At 65 !! I’m autistic !! Hell yes, something that ties it all together at last.

[charlierewilding]

I always thought of myself as an 'observer' too 😊 oh and I was most definitely a people pleaser... still learning to reprogramme that one!

[angelagokool]

I wasn't diagnosed with Autism until I was 22, but at the time, back in the early 2000s, it was still known as Asperger's Syndrome. But during my childhood, which was also during the 80s, my so-called "diagnosis" was "shyness." You know, if my pediatrician didn't know what it was, then why didn't he say so?! Anyway, at one point, I was diagnosed with PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified). Besides being diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, I was also diagnosed with OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). However, more recently, my current therapist said that the Asperger's diagnosis was outdated by today's standards, and so was the PDD-NOS diagnosis, so she removed the PDD-NOS diagnosis from my chart and said that I have Autism. She also removed the OCD diagnosis from my charts, as I no longer fit the criteria. My new diagnosis is Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
I take medication, to regulate my anxiety, mainly tryptophan, and Gabapentin. I have a bachelor's degree, in Sociology, with Honors, and I live fairly independently. I live near my parents, and my sister and her family live about half an hour away. I'm the proud aunt of a 4-year-old niece, who is currently in preschool, and I have a furry "niece" and "nephew, " as well (my and her husband's dogs!).
I have a lot of friends, and I've had a boyfriend. I currently write fanfiction stories, based on my favorite childhood cartoons, from the 90s, mainly Animaniacs and Pinky and the Brain. I'd say I'm doing quite well, for someone with Autism.
By the way, being a tomboy doesn't necessarily mean you're Autistic. My sister was pretty athletic, back in the day, and she doesn't have Autism. Anyway, thanks for the video!

[speardagger]

You nailed for me with your descriptions for women. I'm Autistic(late diagnosticated at the age of 45) and have Generalized Anxiety also.

[MeliPatoco]

I have been seeing videos and reading articles about autism in females. And is hard for me to see that almost every one of my personality traits are listed as "signs or symptoms". And for some reason I feel like if I say "I think I may have this" every one will think I'm a hypocondriac or that I'm doing it for attention. But I'm really curios to know if I'm within the autistic spectrum or not.

[Emily-dmxr]

I'm trying to get diagnosed myself difficulty.

[lrwiersum]

Part of my “pleasing “ is the fact I am genuinely hard on myself. I’m watching me all the time.

[tdsollog]

I can relate to all of these. I will be 52 this year and I am seeking a diagnosis.

[SeasonsUSA]

Listening with earbuds in, since the volume is down a bit. Good information!

[besc]

Even as a fairly masculine straight guy, I can relate to 1, 3, 5, 6, and 7. I was diagnosed a couple months ago at 39. I am decent at masking and I don't exhibit the stereotypical behaviors. (I always just thought I was just introverted and analytical.) My brother told me he thought he might have ASD so I researched it, took a lot of psychological scales, and realized I fit the diagnostic criteria for ASD 1. I got a formal diagnosis soon after and it comformed my self-diagnosis.

I suspect that there many other high masking men with similar presentions that also go undiagnosed for the same reasons women are underdiagnosed.

[eghtimx]

Thank you, this a very good video I 100% identify with you and your experience, I was very late diagnosed 56. It explained so much of my life.

[Dancestar]

I have the dual diagnosis ASD and combined ADHD late diagnosed age 23 for ASD and age 42 with the additional combined ADHD and I am a woman who was born in the early 80s so we are the lost generation

[autisticjenny]

Great video! Check, check check to all 7! Diagnosed at 48 and still on this journey...

[treesart]

Thanks. I'm one of those women who wonders about it. I am 48, doing grad studies in a difficult subject partky because I wanted to challenge myself or had something to prove 🙄 and a few years back I had some kind of crisis that got me diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. Since then i've been in therapy and I have stopped beating myself up to get things done because it doesn't work anymore. I keep on telling therapists: ok, i can't beat myself up anymore, I accept myself, so what should I do to get things done? They have "anxiety management tools", those make me feel a bit better, but nothing helps to get my life in order. In the meantime I keep wondering: what the hell is going on with me? I found out a family member had autism. So here I am looking at all these autism videos, doing the quizzes, and the result is "very likely". I also wonder ADD maybe.
I'm thinking that trying to keep up with everything involved masking (it did: trying to say the right things, behave the right way while never sure that I was getting it right) and it resulted in anxiety and exhaustion.

[nancybartley]

I have 6 of these traits. I am an introvert but I still share my opinions which messes me up.

[maureenl]

I just subscribed. I am trying to learn more about autism because I am trying to get services for my stepdaughter. She is 32 and was diagnosed quite a few years ago. Now all of a sudden the state is saying she's not autistic. We of course are appealing it.

[mg]

Hi Do you have low iron or vit D symptoms too

[Jefff]

It's good to know because I am raising two girls. I want nothing but the best for my little princesses. Autism videos are being recommended because I believe I might have it.