Our collective aim is to raise awareness of autism in females so that girls & women can be recognised, understood and supported effectively.
Could I (or someone I care about) be autistic?
It is important to note that autistic individuals have many strengths which can be particularly helpful, such as the ability to focus on small details, excellent memory skills, logical and independent thinking- great for problem solving, and good organisational skills.
We have put together two checklists (downloadable as PDFs). These lists are meant as a guide only and are not exhaustive. A professional assessment by a trained clinician is needed for a formal diagnosis.
Traits of autistic women (checklist)
Social & Communication
- Feels different from peers but can’t easily explain why
- Social rules learned intellectually rather than intuitively
- Masked (camouflaged) behaviour to fit in
- Rehearses conversations or scripts social interactions
- Finds small talk draining or confusing
- Appears socially capable but feels exhausted afterward
- Strong desire for connection but difficulty maintaining friendships
- Often told they are “too sensitive” or “overthink”
Emotional & Mental Health
- Chronic anxiety or depression without a clear cause
- Frequent feelings of overwhelm or shutdown
- Perfectionism and fear of making mistakes
- Autistic burnout (long-term exhaustion, loss of skills)
- Strong emotions that are hard to regulate internally
- Feels emotions intensely
- History of misdiagnosis (e.g., anxiety disorder, BPD, OCD)
Sensory Differences
- Heightened sensitivity to noise, light, smells, textures, or fabrics
- Strong reactions to overstimulation (panic, shutdown, irritability)
- Comfort-seeking behaviours (soft clothes, repetitive music, routines)
- Sensory overload that worsens with stress or hormonal changes
Thinking & Processing
- Deep focus on interests, often research-heavy or emotionally meaningful
- Interests may appear “typical” but are intense or consuming
- Strong pattern recognition or analytical thinking
- Ruminates or mentally replays events and conversations
- Difficulty switching tasks or coping with sudden change
Identity & Coping
- People-pleasing and difficulty setting boundaries
- Strong sense of justice and fairness
- High empathy but difficulty expressing it in expected ways
- Feels “fake,” unseen, or unsure who they really are
- Relief, grief, or clarity upon learning about autism in adulthood
Daily Life & Functioning
- Needs routine but struggles to maintain it due to burnout
- Executive functioning difficulties (planning, starting tasks, fatigue)
- Appears competent externally but struggles privately
- Uses strict systems or coping strategies to get through the day
Traits of autistic girls (checklist)
Social & Play Differences
- Appears shy, quiet, or “well‑behaved” rather than disruptive
- Wants to make friends but struggles to maintain friendships
- Copies peers’ behaviour or play style to fit in
- Engages in imaginative play that closely follows scripts or stories
- Prefers playing with one close friend or alongside others rather than in groups
- Plays with younger children or adults more comfortably than same‑age peers
- May be described as “mature for her age”
Communication
- Good vocabulary but difficulty with back‑and‑forth conversation
- Takes language very literally
- Difficulty understanding social rules, sarcasm, or tone
- May talk at length about favourite topics
- Hesitates to speak in groups or unfamiliar settings
- Uses rehearsed phrases or mimics speech from books/TV
Masking & Coping
- Imitates social behaviour to avoid standing out
- Suppresses stimming or distress in public
- Appears to cope at school but melts down at home
- Tries hard to please adults and follow rules
- Internalizes stress rather than expressing it outwardly
Emotional & Behavioural Traits
- High anxiety or frequent worries
- Strong emotional reactions to small changes or perceived mistakes
- Perfectionism and fear of getting things wrong
- Emotional shutdowns (withdrawal, silence, fatigue)
- Meltdowns that may be mistaken for tantrums or “overreacting”
Sensory Differences
- Sensitivity to noise (covers ears, avoids loud spaces)
- Discomfort with clothing textures, seams, or tags
- Strong reactions to smells, lights, or tastes
- Seeks comfort through soft objects, repetition, or routines
- Easily overwhelmed in busy or unpredictable environments
Interests & Routines
- Intense interests that may seem age‑typical (e.g., animals, books, dolls, TV shows)
- Engages with interests in a deep, detailed, or repetitive way
- Distress when routines change unexpectedly
- Likes predictability and advance warning of transitions
School‑Related Signs
- Academically capable but emotionally exhausted
- Difficulty with group work or unstructured playtimes
- Struggles increase as social demands grow
- Teachers may not notice difficulties due to quiet behaviour
- May be labelled as anxious, sensitive, or perfectionistic rather than autistic
Self‑Concept
- Expresses feeling “different” or not fitting in
- Low self‑esteem despite apparent strengths
- Strong sense of fairness and empathy
- Takes criticism very personally
