Current Research: Women with Autism | Dr. Tasha Oswald

Welcome back to my blog series: Women With Autism. In this series we have discussed notable female autism change-makers, facts about autistic misdiagnoses and underdiagnoses, why autism diagnoses are missed in females, and symptoms of autism in women. For my final article, I want to talk about new research on females with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

It’s important that professionals develop a better understanding of how autism looks in girls and women. They need to know how the symptoms of autism differ in males and females. Also, they need to learn how to better support the emotional wellbeing of females on the autism spectrum. Right now, I think researchers have more questions than answers about females with autism. But, I am hopeful because more and more data every year is being published about females with ASD.

I am both an autism therapist in Garden Grove, CA and autism researcher

Shows a working autistic professional. Represents how women with autism in orange county, ca may benefit from neurodivergent affirming therapist in orange county, ca.

At my core, I see myself as part clinician and part researcher. I learn so much from the autistic clients I work with every day, many of whom are female. I learned so much about autism treatment by doing research and by reading other’s research. In this blog, I want to discuss what I’ve learned as a researcher, current autism research, and my own clinical knowledge to help you better understand women with autism.

I have spent a large part of my career doing research and clinical work specifically with girls and women on the autism spectrum. I care deeply about the issues that impact neurodiverse females. As I have mentioned in my prior blogs in this series, the autism piece is often missed altogether in women with ASD. Often this happens because females with autism have symptoms of anxiety and depression that are more obvious. This overshadows autism symptoms. These women often feel incomplete, and the mental health treatment they have had wasn’t very effective. Oftentimes, these women won’t get diagnosed until later in life, but once they do they find relief and help.

There is limited research on autism in girls and even less on women with autism in Garden Grove, CA with a later life autism diagnosis.

Many of the women, including the women I work with, have gotten a late-life diagnosis. Therefore, I was excited when a study came out in 2016 called “The Experiences of Late-diagnosed Women with Autism Spectrum Conditions,” by Bargiela and colleagues. This is the first study to explore the life experiences of women who were diagnosed with autism as older adolescents or adults. Researchers interviewed participants and then looked at the themes that came up for these women.

Bargiela’s study found that women with a late-life diagnosis camouflage their social difficulties. At the end of the day, they were left feeling exhausted and confused about their identity. Also, camouflaging their autistic traits may have made it harder for mental health professionals to identify their ASD.

Camouflaging has its advantages and disadvantages. Women in Bargiela’s study reported that in their attempt to fit in, they often overlooked their own need for help. Also, they were often manipulated by others. Further, this study found that women with ASD put in a tremendous effort to fit in. Yet, they saw neurotypical females as less forgiving of their social mistakes compared to males. They tried so hard to fit in but were ultimately rejected by their peers. This led them to feel lonely and like a fraud. We refer to feeling like a fraud as Imposter Syndrome. You can see how this could lead to feelings of depression and anxiety and a misdiagnosis.

The research on depression, anxiety, and autism in women in LA

As a researcher, I became curious about how depression and anxiety affect adolescent girls with autism. Research indicates that adolescence is a time when neurotypical girls are more likely to have depression and anxiety than boys. Research has also found higher rates of depression and anxiety disorders in children and adolescents with autism, compared to their neurotypical peers. I wondered if adolescent girls with ASD were doubly at risk for depression and anxiety. My former supervisor Dr. Solomon referred to this as the “Double Hit” Theory.

As a researcher, I was one of the first to publish a research article about depression and anxiety in adolescent girls with autism. In this study, we found that younger adolescent girls with autism (12-14 years old) have greater depressive symptoms than same-aged peers who are neurotypical girls or boys with autism. It was the first study of its kind, so it’s important that other studies try to replicate, or repeat, our findings.

Why do girls with ASD suffer so much during early adolescence?

Shows a sad teenager who is being bullied. Represent how an autism therapist in garden grove, ca can supportwomen with autism in garden grove, ca with the effects of bullying.

This was a question I really wanted to answer. Self-awareness grows rapidly during early adolescence. At the same time, the demands of social interactions are greater for females. Young adolescent boys tend to prefer activity-based interactions with friends. But, young adolescent girls tend to prefer social chit chat, discussing their feelings, talking about rumors, and disclosing personal details about themselves to their “besties”. During this developmental stage, a girl with autism might start to notice that she can’t keep up with these social demands. She likely wants friends but does not know how to climb this social ladder.

A number of studies have found that females, compared to males, are more likely to feel stressed out by social rejection, ruminate about negative social experiences, and be more negatively impacted by lack of quality friendships. As a result, due to growing self-awareness and sensitivity to social rejection, a young adolescent girl with ASD may realize that she is different from her neurotypical female peers. Feeling different or less than, can lead to symptoms of depression for young adolescent girls with ASD.

Help and support is available for women with autism in Garden Grove, CA

My take-home message for girls and women with a diagnosis of ASD or who suspect they may be on the autism spectrum is, you are not alone. There are many girls and women like you in this world. It may take some time to find your tribe. It will likely take some effort to find your tribe. But, it’s possible! Your tribe might be other neurodiverse women and men, autism therapists, family, or others. But, when you find those people who truly understand you, it can be life-changing. You deserve support!

Consider attending the support group for women with autism in Garden Grove, CA

I am passionate about helping high-functioning autistic women find a support network. Therefore, I offer a Women’s Social Skills Group at my clinic.

In this group we discuss:

How autistic traits affect your life
Making friends with neurodiverse and neurotypical peers
Self-empowerment and self-advocacy
Social communication skills that will help you build and maintain relationships
Coping strategies to help you manage stress, depression, anxiety, and sensory overload

Begin Autism Therapy in the South Bay Area:

Shows a woman smiling. Represents how women with autism in garden grove, ca can work with an autism therapist in garden grove, ca to feel supported.

My hope is that after reading this blog series, you will know that support is available to you as an autistic woman. If you are ready to meet other women on the autism spectrum and learn new skills to be successful, we can help! To begin autism therapy in Palo Alto, CA, follow these steps:

Reach out to Open Doors Therapy. Schedule a free 30-minute phone consultation with a compassionate autism specialist,
Come to our office for a 1-hour intake meeting with an autism therapist. We will discuss your goals for therapy and determine what service is right for you.
Join the Women’s Group to meet other neurodiverse women in the South Bay Area!

Other Autism Services at Open Doors Therapy

Our Palo Alto autism counseling clinic specializes in providing counseling for high-functioning autistic individuals and their families. We help clients who identify as having Asperger’s, high functioning autism, ASD, undiagnosed autism traits, etc. Therefore, our autism therapy services include individual therapy, parent counseling, and group therapy. And, we offer several group therapy options that include college students with autistic traits, working professionals with autism, neurodiverse adults, young adults with autism, women who identify as neurodiverse, and neurodiverse youth & caregivers. I have been writing blog posts. My goal is to give individuals with autism more information and resources. Please reach out to our clinic to learn more about the many ways we can help and support you or your loved one.

About the Author

Dr. Tasha Oswald is a trained developmental and clinical psychologist. And, she is the founder and director of Open Doors Therapy, a private practice specializing in autism therapy services in the South Bay Area, near San Francisco, CA. Dr. Oswald specializes in helping neurodiverse teens and adults and facilitating social skills groups.

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Autism in Women Series: Current Research on Females with Autism