Abstract
This chapter deals with the unique characteristics of women on the High-Functioning end of the Autism Spectrum (HFA), a group that is underrepresented in the research literature. Research findings support the hypothesis that women with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are different from men with ASD in many ways. The issue of late diagnosis or misdiagnosis, camouflaging of autistic characteristics, and the risks of gender-dependent phenotypes of ASD, is explored through a contemporary literature review and using personal interviews conducted with a sample of adult women on the high-functioning end of the autism spectrum. The findings suggest the need for a focused effort to construct diagnostic tools for the identification and treatment of girls and women with ASD-HF, and to correct the long-standing discrimination in diagnosis and treatment. Conclusions address some relevant recommendations for the professional staff and therapists.
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Pearlman-Avnion, S., Shlain, R. (2019). Adult Women on the High-Functioning Autism Spectrum. In: Lowinger, S., Pearlman-Avnion, S. (eds) Autism in Adulthood. Autism and Child Psychopathology Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28833-4_5
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