Women and girls are speaking out about diagnosis and how medical support would better their lives.
They are changing what autism means, so we can build a more inclusive community where everyone gets the help they need.
Autistic traits differ from person to person and we are always learning more about autism.
Many women and girls experience push back from doctors when they ask for an autism assessment.
They’re told that they’re “too social” or “too independent” to be autistic.
The way autism is currently diagnosed is based on traits shown by young autistic boys, but women and girls can experience autism differently.
Medical misogyny is a term used to explain the unfair treatment of women and girls when seeking healthcare.
For example: a woman who is feeling unwell asks a doctor for help, but the doctor thinks she is lying or making it sound worse than it is.
Though the medical industry has gotten better in recent years, some doctors still dismiss and minimise women’s medical concerns.
An autistic person’s ability to camouflage and hide their autistic traits can make it hard to diagnose them.
Masking is a reaction to being misunderstood or bullied for being different. Women and girls are more likely to camouflage or mask their autistic traits without realising.
Women and girls are also more likely to have special interests that fit with gender stereotypes.
For example, young autistic girls may love playing with dolls, but because it’s a gender stereotype, it’s not considered a special interest.
Growing up autistic in a neurotypical world can be traumatising and may lead to mental health issues, such as depression.
Sometimes, when symptoms of depression or anxiety are noticed, it can be hard for medical professionals to see what’s underneath.
This means that depression becomes the main diagnosis and the autistic traits are forgotten about.
The idea of how an autistic person “looks” needs to change.
Diagnostic criteria needs to include all types of varying autistic traits.
Research needs to include more women and gender-diverse people.
Short-term and long-term studies need to be conducted by, for and with autistic women and gender-diverse people.
Medical professionals need to learn more about neurodiversity and how it has grown over the years.
The average age for women to get diagnosed with autism is mid-30s.
Schools and families need more tools to help observe and talk about neurodiversity, so that autistic people get help sooner.
Receiving an autism diagnosis can be life-changing.
Many women and girls understand themselves better after diagnosis and feel empowered.
They have a better quality of life because they can seek the support they need.
Let’s pave the way for stronger understanding and accessibility in neurodiverse healthcare.
20 January 2024
80% of autistic women don’t have an autism diagnosis. Women and girls are speaking out about diagnosis and how medical support would better their lives. They are changing what autism means, so we can build a more inclusive community where everyone gets the help they need. Autistic traits differ from person to person and we […]
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8 January 2024
Meet Jacqueline. Jacqueline has been working in the Document Management department at OC Connections Enterprises since September. She was referred to our enterprise by the newly founded employment provider, Mob Jobs – a support service for First Nations people searching for work around Victoria. Through a referral from a previous colleague, Anita from Mob Jobs […]
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10 December 2023
Basil has been working for OC Connections Enterprises for 26 years. Just before COVID-19, he was made Team Leader in the Skin Packing department – a role he’s proud of. His life-partner, Christine, has been an OCCE employee for 36 years, and recently they celebrated their wedding anniversary at the Sovereign Hill Hotel in Ballarat. […]
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17 November 2023
The opening night of the SASI Art Show was a heartwarming, resounding success. Staff from across OC Connections came to support our participants in exhibiting their beautiful works of art to the community, including OC’s CEO Therese Desmond. I can only urge you to take a drive to Cube 37 in Frankston and see the […]
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8 November 2023
How do I engage in advocacy with a disability? People with disabilities make up for 15% of the world’s population. We are a diverse community, no one person is the same. People with disabilities are passionate about many things, like making the world better for people living with disabilities. But that’s not all we […]
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3 November 2023
Over the last few months, Day Support leaders and support staff have been trialling and testing new, innovative ways of teaching our Literacy and Numeracy programs. Due to varying communication and information processing needs, our education programs must be regularly adapted to suit the learning styles of many different participants. SUpporting diverse learning Our creative […]
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31 October 2023
The Final Report of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability has been released. The research findings, collected through thousands of interviews, submissions and panels, provide a detailed understanding of Australia’s current disability landscape. It describes the prevalence of ableism in our society, within our education system, labour market, […]
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31 October 2023
The ecologiQ Greener Infrastructure Conference was a resounding success for OC Connections Enterprises. The conference brought organisations from across Victoria together to discuss innovation in the manufacturing sector and the different ways in which businesses can positively engage in the circular economy. OCCE representatives Steve Batinksy, General Manager, and Nancy Zele, Employment Pathways and Engagement […]
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20 September 2023
The Australian Government will soon review the recommendations of the Disability Royal Commission, including employment services and opportunities for people living with disability. Around 16,000 people living with disabilities work as Supported Employees across Australia. Working in Supported Employment makes a significant difference in the lives of people with disability – engaging in work helps […]
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OC Connections acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional owners of this nation. We pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past, present and future.
OC Connections respects Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their contribution to our society.
