Autistic women's diagnostic experiences: Interactions with identity and impacts on well-being.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

There has been suggestion that current diagnostic instruments are not sufficient for detecting and diagnosing autism in women, and research suggests that a lack of diagnosis could negatively impact autistic women's well-being and identity. This study aimed to explore the well-being and identity of autistic women at three points of their diagnostic journey: self-identifying or awaiting assessment, currently undergoing assessment or recently diagnosed, and more than a year post-diagnosis.

Methods

Mixed-methods were used to explore this with 96 women who identified as autistic and within one of these three groups. Participants completed an online questionnaire, and a sub-sample of 24 of these women participated in a semi-structured interview.

Results

Well-being

SUBMITTER: Harmens M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9666868 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature