Spotting Autism in High-Masking Autistic Women

TLDRLearn how to identify autism in high-masking autistic women by looking beyond the mask and identifying gaps in certain areas like social skills, knowledge, executive function, and sensory sensitivities.

Key insights

πŸ”Successful high-masking individuals may not appear autistic, making it challenging to spot autism.

🎭Autistic masking is like an optical illusion that hides the inner experience of autistic individuals.

πŸ“šGaps and inconsistencies in certain areas can help identify autistic traits.

🧩Autistic skill set distribution can be spiky, with strengths in some areas and difficulties in others.

⏰Autistic individuals may have inconsistencies in capacity and experience extended low periods known as burnout.

Q&A

Why is it difficult to spot autism in high-masking individuals?

β€”Successful high-masking individuals do not exhibit visible signs of autism, making it challenging to identify their autistic traits.

What is the concept of autistic masking?

β€”Autistic masking is the act of hiding autistic traits, creating an outward appearance that conforms to societal norms.

What are some indicators of autistic traits?

β€”Indicators of autistic traits include gaps and inconsistencies in certain areas like social skills, knowledge, executive function, and sensory sensitivities.

How does autistic skill set distribution vary?

β€”Autistic skill set distribution can be spiky, with strengths in some areas and difficulties in others, leading to an uneven distribution of abilities.

What is autistic burnout?

β€”Autistic burnout refers to extended low periods during which an autistic individual experiences difficulties in functioning, often accompanied by a decrease in capacity.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Spotting autism in high-masking autistic women requires looking beyond the mask and identifying gaps in certain areas.

05:31Gaps and inconsistencies in areas like social skills, knowledge, and executive function can be indicators of autistic traits.

07:58Autistic skill set distribution can be spiky, with strengths in some areas and difficulties in others.

09:26Autistic individuals may experience extended low periods known as burnout, affecting their capacity to function.

09:59Autistic individuals engage in masking to hide their autistic traits and fit in with societal norms.

11:42Validating the experience of unmasking individuals and providing support is crucial for their well-being.

12:59Suggestions for those going through an unmasking journey include seeking support and finding a supportive community.

14:23Further resources and coaching for unmasking individuals are available at Autism From The Inside.