Throughout history, people generally believed that only men could be neurodivergent. But this is far from true. As more and more women gain recognition of, learn about, and celebrate their neurodiversity, it’s important we look back at the path we’ve taken to get here. We must acknowledge the lived experiences and struggles of neurodivergent women. We must alter our outdated and heavily biased diagnostic criteria. And, perhaps most importantly, we must raise awareness of neurodiversity amongst women.
Doctors, teachers, parents, and everyone in between must be taught how to recognise neurodiversity in women and girls. We must teach them how to respect the needs of these women, how to provide them with essential support. Though our understanding of neurodiversity in women has improved dramatically, it is incredibly important that we recognise where support is lacking and where biases still linger.
Neurodivergent women deserve the same support as neurodivergent men. And by raising awareness of their incredible stories, we will be taking the first step towards ensuring that they do.
‘Extreme Male Brain’ Theory
In the 20th century, psychologists built the original diagnostic criteria for conditions like autism and ADHD upon research conducted on neurodivergent boys. This led people to the unfortunate misconception that neurodiversity, as it would later be known, only appeared in males. It also meant these diagnostic criteria were incredibly biased. After all, they included only the signs of neurodiversity in boys. They stated nothing specific to neurodivergent girls, nor mentioned how different societal expectations and influences might affect how neurodiversity presents. In short, they erased the existence of neurodivergent women.
For example, girls with ADHD are more likely to be inattentive than hyperactive. They might struggle to sustain attention or appear not to listen. Teachers might describe them as disorganised or forgetful. Easily distracted. These girls, therefore, need support to help them manage their neurodiversity, especially at school. But because the hyperactive traits seen in boys tend to be missing, people often overlook girls with ADHD.
Psychologists labelled autism, in particular, as a male-only condition. Though psychologists believed conditions like ADHD to be more prevalent in boys, they did occasionally diagnose girls. But for a long time, psychologists thought autism was an all-male condition. These ideas even lead to ‘Extreme Male Brain’ theory. This theory suggests that autism results from an exaggeration of male traits—an extreme ‘manliness.’ Although this theory is highly controversial, its very proposal reveals just how completely autistic girls were overlooked.
Psychologists and historians now recognise that many neurodivergent women were missed or misdiagnosed due to the historical focus on male-typical behaviours. Neurodivergent women do exist, and they have always done so.
Neurodivergent Women and Stereotypes
Although people now recognise that girls can be neurodivergent, old biases still shape how we perceive neurodivergent women. It is the unfortunate combination of biased diagnostic criteria and age-old ideas about femininity that results in so many women living with undiagnosed neurodiversity.
Historically, people stereotyped women as being quiet and sensitive. People portrayed them as enjoying calming activities like reading or gardening. Unfortunately, these very limiting ideas about what it means to be a woman have had a significant affect on the recognition of neurodiversity in women and girls.
These stereotypes are particularly devastating for autistic women. These women often seem to fit into these outdated stereotypes, which can mean people overlook their autistic traits. Autistic girls are often shy, emotional, prone to day-dreaming and repetitive behaviours like twirling their hair. Often, neurodivergent girls are highly socially aware, which makes them especially sensitive to societal expectations. They adapt their behaviours to fit in, blending into what people expect of them. As a result, others often overlook their autistic traits, dismissing them as typical behaviour for girls
Dr Kate Fox, autistic poet and comedian, says, “I don’t think there’s an inherent difference between autistic men and women. What there is a difference in is how society treats and socialises males and females.”
The Challenge of Masking
As I said, neurodivergent girls are often susceptible to social pressures and influences. These outdated social ideas pressure many girls to mask their neurodivergent traits.
Charl Davies, an autistic tattoo artist, said, “I find that being a female I am expected to behave in a certain way to fit in socially, which is why I have spent so much time masking.”
When a neurodivergent girl masks, she hides her traits behind behaviours she believes others expect from her. She might mimic speech patterns, adopt interests that allow her to fit in, or force herself to make eye contact when having conversations. By analysing both the people around her, their responses to her behaviour, and the expectations placed upon her as a woman, a neurodivergent woman paints over her neurodiversity.
This makes diagnosing neurodivergent women particularly difficult. It often means that people overlook neurodivergent girls: they miss the signs because the traits are hidden. These girls conceal themselves behind what others expect, making their true selves invisible.
To curb the effects that masking has upon the diagnosis of neurodivergent women, we need to provide access to information about how to recognise the signs of masking. More importantly, however, we also need to challenge these outdated social expectations that women, unfortunately, continue to face.
Misdiagnosis and Mental Health
Masking is incredibly detrimental. Not only does it mean that girls are often diagnosed late in life (if they are diagnosed at all), but it also means they are often misdiagnosed with other conditions. Masking makes neurodivergent women particularly susceptible to mental illness. After all, it is equivalent to hiding away a part of their identity. Many neurodivergent women and girls develop conditions such as anxiety or depression. Additionally, according to BEAT, as many as 1 in 5 women with eating disorders are autistic. This particular statistic highlights both the alarming effects of old-fashioned ideas about femininity and the impact that masking can have on neurodivergent women. It also shows how desperately neurodivergent women need support.
Overall, living with undiagnosed neurodiversity often leads to other conditions that make it even harder for neurodivergent women to receive a diagnosis. These other conditions cover their neurodivergent traits, leading to misdiagnosis. Some neurodivergent women are even misdiagnosed with conditions such as bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder.
In fact, a study by Durham university found that nearly 80% of women with autism are misdiagnosed. These women are left feeling confused. Feeling isolated. They are denied the essential support and legal protections they need. This becomes even more worrying when you consider that autistic women are 13 times more likely to die by suicide than women who are not autistic. Psychologists believe that this is a result of loneliness, social and communication difficulties, feeling like a burden, and a devastating lack of support.
Neurodivergent women are left to struggle alone because of the innumerable difficulties they face in trying to get support. And this isn’t just a failure of the system – it’s a crisis! Neurodivergent women deserve support. They deserve to be happy. They deserve to be understood. Yet, a startling number of them are still left to fight alone.
Neurodivergent Women Throughout History
But all is not yet lost.
As people raise more awareness of neurodiversity amongst women, they are beginning to recognise neurodivergent traits in women who have had a notable influence on history. Indeed, some of our most beloved and inspiring women may have been neurodivergent!
For example, some people theorise that poet Emily Dickinson was autistic. Dickinson lived a socially withdrawn and solitary lifestyle, seeming to enjoy the company of herself over others. She preferred to communicate through letters rather than in face-to-face interactions. Dickinson also dedicated herself to poetry with intense focus. Some people even interpret her preference for wearing white and avoiding crowds as evidence of sensory sensitivities.
Another influential woman who some people speculate to have been neurodivergent is Marie Curie. Some people believe Curie had autism and ADHD due to her intense focus on her research, innovative thinking, and systematic approach to work. Some accounts also claim that Curie struggled with social interactions and found it difficult to have casual conversations.
These, and many other, historical women show that neurodivergent women have always existed. They have left their mark on history, and neurodivergent women today can look back at their accomplishments for inspiration and acceptance. Though these women weren’t ever diagnosed, their places as important members of the neurodivergent community remain stronger than ever.
Marie Curie in her lab
Modern Neurodivergent Women
But though, of course, these historical women are of great importance, there have also been a number of significant women of our time opening up about their own neurodiversity. These women have an even greater impact.
From Simone Biles, the incredible gymnast with ADHD, to Greta Thunberg, who uses her autism and unique view of the world to power her climate activism, to Billie Eilish and her Tourette’s syndrome, more and more role models are appearing for neurodivergent girls. And this is important! The more women who open up, who accept and share their neurodiversity, the more information we will have on neurodivergent women. The more easily we will pick up on neurodiversity in girls. By sharing these stories, influential neurodivergent women can help girls to get the support they need, ensuring that they can grow up loved, accepted and understood.
What’s more, these women become role models. They show that neurodiversity isn’t a weakness – that it can be a strength! And by opening up about their struggles, they can help more young women to accept themselves for who they truly are.
Raising Awareness for Neurodivergent Women
Since those original ideas in the 20th century, our picture of neurodiversity has grown tremendously. But we still have far to go. Many neurodivergent women still reach adulthood before being diagnosed, their habits ignored because of lingering, outdated ideas.
Neurodivergent girls deserve the same support as neurodivergent boys.
They shouldn’t have to wait until adulthood to understand themselves. They shouldn’t have to manage unfair expectations. A diagnosis can help a neurodivergent woman to accept herself for who she is. She can use it to make others aware of her needs. Thus, it is incredibly important that neurodivergent women get this support.
Doctors and healthcare professionals must learn how neurodiversity presents in girls. Teachers need training to recognise the signs. Parents need to know and acknowledge the signs of neurodiversity in their children. Awareness and visibility for neurodivergent women is the first step towards true equality.
A diagnosis doesn’t have to be a label – in fact, diagnoses aren’t labels! Neurodivergent women are more than their neurodiversity. But having that diagnosis provides a woman with an insight into herself. It allows others to respect and adapt to her needs.
Raising awareness for neurodivergent women is not about names or labels. It’s about ensuring that there is acceptance, understanding and support for all neurodivergent people.
