Below is an interview with a neurodiverse student who I supported at university through 1-1…

One Woman with Autism – An interview
Discover Alison’s unique perspective on living with autism and her late diagnosis journey.
I recently had the pleasure of connecting with Alison, a social prescriber, on LinkedIn. Alison reached out to express her gratitude for a blog post I wrote about autism in the workplace. She also shared that she had recently been diagnosed with autism herself. Our conversation was inspiring, and Alison graciously agreed to participate in a short interview to share her experiences as a woman with autism. Continue reading to see her unique perspective and insights.
Thinking back on your life, are there any challenges you experienced that you think were due to being autistic?
One major challenge was navigating social situations, like understanding unspoken rules and interpreting others’ emotions. Sensory overload in certain environments was also difficult. Additionally, conforming to neurotypical expectations at work and in personal life was exhausting, as I often felt misunderstood or judged. I felt odd and always on the outside—I avoided meetings and groups. I don’t have any friends, and I’m baffled by people wanting them. I felt as though I was weird and should change how I am.
As someone who is late-diagnosed, what were some of the barriers which stopped you from being diagnosed earlier? Perhaps internal, external, or societal factors.
Societally, autism in women is often overlooked or misunderstood, leading to many missed diagnoses. Internally, I questioned myself and attributed my struggles to personal shortcomings rather than considering neurodiversity.
Was there something in particular that made you seek a formal diagnosis?
I have been through abusive relationships, and despite having children on the spectrum, I genuinely thought all my issues were trauma-related. After going through therapy for anxiety, I started joining the dots differently—I then sought an alternative explanation for my lifelong struggles, ultimately leading me to pursue a formal autism diagnosis.
How does your neurodiversity present as a woman with autism?
My autism presents as challenges with social interactions, sensory sensitivities, and strong interests in specific topics. I keep learning languages as a way to self-regulate, and I believe I see things others miss. I often experience intense emotions but struggle to express them in a neurotypical way, leading to misunderstandings. I love being myself at home with my autistic daughter, age 20. We talk in Dr. Who language (we know the scripts) and make funny noises without caring what anyone thinks—we do weird dances and have a fab routine every day.
Using your own experiences, do you think there are any gender differences between men and women with autism?
In my experience, women tend to be better at masking their autistic traits, leading to underdiagnosis. Societal expectations for women to be more socially adept may also contribute to this. There may be some differences in how special interests manifest and in the way emotional regulation challenges are expressed.
Do you experience masking as a neurodiverse woman? If so, do you have any comments on if this is impacted by gender?
Yes, I mask frequently to conform to neurotypical social expectations. Gender plays a role as societal norms often require women to be empathetic, nurturing, and attuned to others’ emotions, which can be challenging for autistic women. This pressure may lead to more masking. As a young woman, I was misunderstood in the workplace and called serious. I learned to smile a lot—I still practice smiling, and in a way, it’s stimulating as I like to do it.
Are there any benefits or challenges you have experienced being a neurodiverse woman in the workplace?
Benefits include attention to detail, deep focus on tasks, and unique problem-solving abilities. Challenges include social misunderstandings, sensory overload in work environments, and difficulties with networking or office politics. I am adept at avoidance.
What are some of the positives of your neurodiversity? This could be interests, ways of seeing the world, or any joy neurodiversity brings to your life.
Positives include intense passion for special interests, deep empathy, an analytical approach to problems, and appreciation for structure and routine. Neurodiversity brings me a unique perspective and richness to my life experiences. I love learning so, so much—it is my comfort.
Is there any advice you would give to women who are wondering if they themselves are neurodiverse?
Trust your instincts and seek information from reputable sources. Connect with other autistic women and consider seeking a professional assessment. I feel that a diagnosis doesn’t necessarily define you but rather provides understanding, self-acceptance, and a framework for adapting to challenges.
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