There is currently a paucity of literature exploring the experiences of women on the autism spectrum. It is imperative research is conducted to capture the experiences of women on the autism spectrum and ensure appropriate support is provided to this cohort. Drawing upon a social constructionist framework, this qualitative research study sought to understand how psychological and socio-cultural constructions of autism spectrum condition and gender influence the well-being of women on the autism spectrum. Eight participants engaged in a semi-structured interview, with thematic analysis conducted to demonstrate the impact of gender roles and social expectations on the women’s identity and autism spectrum condition expression. The research highlighted the changing understandings of autism spectrum condition across a woman’s lifespan and the process and impact of resisting hegemonic autism spectrum condition categorisation. The findings demonstrate that social constructions of gender and stereotypical understandings of autism spectrum condition, which prioritise a deficit, medical model, have significant consequences for women’s well-being and subjectivity. The women experienced challenging formative years, but with diagnosis and the evolution and acceptance of their identities, they were able to resist negative narratives of autism spectrum condition, embrace their strengths and develop adaptive coping strategies. It is hoped this article generates insights for societal and clinical recognition to better support women on the autism spectrum.

Lay abstract

Most autism spectrum condition research addresses the neurological and biological causes of autism spectrum condition, focusing upon deficits associated with autism spectrum condition and behavioural interventions designed to minimise these deficits. Little is known about the lived experiences of adult women on the autism spectrum and how they navigate social expectations around gender, autism spectrum condition and gendered understandings of autism spectrum condition. The lived experiences of eight women on the AS will be shared here, with attention to how gendered expectations influence women’s experiences of autism spectrum condition, their sense of self and well-being. Findings showed these women struggled to reconcile the expectations of others, particularly early in life. The women had difficultly conforming to stereotypical ideals of femininity, yet as they aged, they felt less need to conform, valuing their unique style and behaviours. The women also rejected deficit-oriented descriptions of autism spectrum condition generated by the medical community, preferring to focus on their strengths and unique characteristics. It is hoped this article helps psychologists and the wider community to understand and meet the needs of women on the AS.

中文翻译：

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“你看起来不像自闭症”：对女性成为“自闭症他人”经历的定性探索

目前很少有文献探讨女性在自闭症谱系中的经历。必须进行研究以了解患有自闭症谱系的女性的经历，并确保为该群体提供适当的支持。利用社会建构主义框架，这项定性研究旨在了解自闭症谱系状况和性别的心理和社会文化建构如何影响自闭症谱系女性的幸福感。八名参与者进行了半结构化访谈，进行了专题分析，以证明性别角色和社会期望对女性身份和自闭症谱系条件表达的影响。该研究强调了对女性一生中对自闭症谱系状况的理解不断变化，以及抵制霸权自闭症谱系状况分类的过程和影响。研究结果表明，性别的社会建构和对自闭症谱系状况的刻板印象，优先考虑缺陷，医学模式，对女性的福祉和主观性有重大影响。这些女性经历了充满挑战的成长岁月，但随着诊断以及身份的演变和接受，她们能够抵制自闭症谱系状况的负面叙述，发挥自己的优势并制定适应性应对策略。希望本文为社会和临床认可提供见解，以更好地支持患有自闭症的女性。

摘要

大多数自闭症谱系状况研究针对自闭症谱系状况的神经学和生物学原因，重点关注与自闭症谱系状况相关的缺陷和旨在最小化这些缺陷的行为干预。人们对自闭症谱系中成年女性的生活经历以及她们如何应对围绕性别、自闭症谱系状况和对自闭症谱系状况的性别理解的社会期望知之甚少。这里将分享八位女性在 AS 上的生活经历，关注性别期望如何影响女性对自闭症谱系状况的体验、她们的自我意识和幸福感。调查结果显示，这些女性难以调和他人的期望，尤其是在生命早期。女性很难符合刻板的女性气质理想，但随着年龄的增长，她们觉得不太需要遵从，重视自己独特的风格和行为。这些女性还拒绝了医学界对自闭症谱系状况的以缺陷为导向的描述，更愿意关注她们的优势和独特的特征。希望本文能帮助心理学家和更广泛的社区了解和满足 AS 女性的需求。