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Female autism? Undiagnosed

Ne6us
5 months ago

Hi there everyone,

I've just joined and wanted to say hi and ask if there are any women/girls on this forum who have been diagnosed with autism. Could you please share a little around your traits that contributed to your diagnosis? I know that females often have the tendency to 'mask', which sometimes leads to misdiagnosis. I haven't been assessed and am unsure whether to go forward with it because it is so very expensive here in NZ. I would like to be diagnosed but I'm not sure if I have autism or just another social communication disorder.

 I've been looking at the DSM 5 diagnosis manual. It says you need to have 2 out of 4 of the following criteria: 1. Repetitive motor movements etc (ie stims), 2. Insistence on sameness, 3. Highly restricted interests, 4. Hyper- or hyporeactivity to sensory input.

Well, I don't have number 2 I don't think. The closest things I have to 3 are being obsessed with spelling and grammar, which I've become more laid back with now, and a very good memory for 20th century song lyrics/tunes. These probably fall within the neurotypical range.

I think I have number 1: my stims are incessant humming, especially when stressed or excited, clacking my teeth and moving the spit around in my mouth (sorry, gross). Is that enough? Does it have to be visible stims?

I think I have number 4 too, hypersensitivity - I hate bright sunlight in my eyes (but hey doesn't everyone?), I'm very sensitive to bad smells, and now I have children I really struggle with the chaos/noise/being touched etc. that comes with the territory. I also sniff things lol and pick at my skin etc.

I'm wondering, if I go to a practitioner with these things alongside all my communication and social difficulties, will they say it's not enough? Is anyone out there similar to me and has been diagnosed? My niece has been diagnosed with level 1 autism and she visibly stims, needs the same routines etc so it's clear that she was going to get a diagnosis. Likewise my good friend (male) who has just been diagnosed. I don't want to go and pay $3000 to be told that it's not autism. Not looking for medical advice as I know it's against forum rules. Just interested in other people's experiences. Thanks so much in advance for sharing. <3

Parents
  • 5 months ago

    I’m not diagnosed, but I filled quite many different tests. RAADS R got 170 points, AQ few times, there were also high results 40-45. If you understand things literally, have issues to understand the hidden point, have misunderstandings on this field, if you stick to the routine, if you feel like you lack a manual in social interactions and you often repeat what to say / script conversations, you feel awkward, and many others… it may be the evidence of Autism spectrum. You can also watch on YouTube, there are many channels but I think one of the best is “Autism from the inside” led by Paul Michalleff from Australia. There are also a lot of things to look for from the childhood. When it comes to sensitivities it’s a wide topic. There may be light and sound, also smells, touch, also clumsiness (as a hypo sensitivity). For me if it’s only a little sunny, I put sunglasses on. It’s not only the sunshine that irritates and makes my eyes aching, there are also reflexes of it. I also squint in shops with bright lights and white walls. When it comes to sounds I can hear ticking clocks and it drives me crazy because I concentrate on it so much that I can’t fall asleep. Also often breaths of other people annoy me, especially in silence. I can’t tolerate the noise, screams and other explosive noises my daughter makes and I got panic attacks from that which led me to using earplugs at home. Everyone is different. I don’t have many issues with touch but I avoid clothes made of light fabric with ruffles I wear basic ones, cotton and no jewellery as it irritates me a lot and causes tics. 

Reply
  • 5 months ago

    I’m not diagnosed, but I filled quite many different tests. RAADS R got 170 points, AQ few times, there were also high results 40-45. If you understand things literally, have issues to understand the hidden point, have misunderstandings on this field, if you stick to the routine, if you feel like you lack a manual in social interactions and you often repeat what to say / script conversations, you feel awkward, and many others… it may be the evidence of Autism spectrum. You can also watch on YouTube, there are many channels but I think one of the best is “Autism from the inside” led by Paul Michalleff from Australia. There are also a lot of things to look for from the childhood. When it comes to sensitivities it’s a wide topic. There may be light and sound, also smells, touch, also clumsiness (as a hypo sensitivity). For me if it’s only a little sunny, I put sunglasses on. It’s not only the sunshine that irritates and makes my eyes aching, there are also reflexes of it. I also squint in shops with bright lights and white walls. When it comes to sounds I can hear ticking clocks and it drives me crazy because I concentrate on it so much that I can’t fall asleep. Also often breaths of other people annoy me, especially in silence. I can’t tolerate the noise, screams and other explosive noises my daughter makes and I got panic attacks from that which led me to using earplugs at home. Everyone is different. I don’t have many issues with touch but I avoid clothes made of light fabric with ruffles I wear basic ones, cotton and no jewellery as it irritates me a lot and causes tics. 

Children