Why ASD and ADHD Assessment is So Important for Women
- Marinda Venter
- Oct 19
- 5 min read
For years, you may have felt different—like you were operating on a completely different wavelength than everyone else. Maybe you were called "too sensitive," "too intense," or "too disorganized." You might have struggled to keep up with daily tasks, felt exhausted by social interactions, and wondered why things that seemed easy for others felt monumental for you. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. An increasing number of women are discovering that these lifelong struggles are not personal failings but signs of undiagnosed Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
The conversation around neurodiversity is changing. We now understand that these conditions don't look the same in everyone, and the classic, male-centric diagnostic models have left countless women overlooked. This has led to a lifetime of "diagnostic bingo," where women are misdiagnosed with anxiety, depression, or personality disorders before finally uncovering the true root of their challenges.
This post explores the significant overlap between ASD and ADHD in women, why diagnosis is so often missed, and the profound importance of getting an accurate assessment. Understanding your neurotype is the first step toward self-acceptance, accessing the right support, and finally thriving on your own terms.
The Hidden Overlap: ADHD and ASD in Women
ADHD and ASD are distinct neurodevelopmental conditions, but they frequently co-occur. Research suggests that 30–80% of individuals with ASD also meet the criteria for ADHD, while 20–50% of those with ADHD show signs of ASD. For women, this overlap is particularly complex because their symptoms often present more subtly than the traditional "male" model of diagnosis expects.
Many women are not diagnosed until adulthood, often when life transitions like starting a demanding career or becoming a mother overwhelm their coping mechanisms. This delay happens because the core features of both conditions manifest differently in women.
Shared Traits, Different Expressions
While ADHD and ASD are separate conditions, they share challenges in key areas. Here’s how they often appear in women:
Attention: Women with combined ADHD and ASD might experience an "all or nothing" focus. This can look like swinging between intense, prolonged hyperfocus on a passionate interest and being unable to concentrate on anything else.
Executive Functioning: Difficulties with organization, planning, and starting tasks are common in both conditions. For many women, this results in a constant feeling of being overwhelmed, chronic procrastination, and eventual burnout.
Social Interaction: Both conditions can make socializing draining. Women may find themselves missing social cues (ADHD) or struggling to interpret unwritten social rules (ASD). This often leads to "masking," or consciously hiding neurodivergent traits to fit in.
Emotion Regulation: Intense emotional sensitivity and mood swings are hallmarks. Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD), common in ADHD, can be amplified by the emotional intensity of ASD, leading to profound distress from perceived criticism or rejection.
Sensory Processing: Hypersensitivity to sounds, lights, or textures can be a major source of stress. For women, this sensory overwhelm often leads to irritability and deep fatigue that may be mistaken for social anxiety or introversion.
Why are Women So Often Overlooked?
For decades, autism research has focused almost exclusively on boys and men. In a review of over 120 brain-imaging studies, nearly 70% tested only male brains. As neuroscientist Gina Rippon writes, this created a fixed diagnostic picture based on male behavior, causing the unique female experience to be ignored.
This bias is deeply embedded in the diagnostic process.
Camouflaging and Masking
From a young age, girls are often socialized to be quiet, agreeable, and attuned to others' needs. To meet these expectations, many neurodivergent girls learn to "camouflage" or "mask" their traits. This can involve:
Copying the social behaviors of peers.
Forcing eye contact even when it's uncomfortable.
Scripting conversations ahead of time.
Suppressing repetitive behaviors (stimming).
While masking can help women appear socially adept, it comes at an immense cost. It is linked to chronic anxiety, exhaustion, depression, and a confused sense of identity. The constant effort to perform "normalcy" is a significant factor in burnout.
Internalized Symptoms
Hyperactivity in women is less likely to be the stereotypical running and climbing seen in boys. Instead, it often manifests internally as mental restlessness, a constantly racing mind, or an inability to relax. Similarly, struggles are often internalized as anxiety, depression, or perfectionism, which then become the focus of misdiagnosis.
Socially "Acceptable" Interests
The stereotype of autistic interests often involves topics like trains or mathematics. In girls and women, these intense "special interests" may focus on more socially typical subjects like literature, animals, art, or psychology. The interest itself isn't unusual, but the depth and intensity with which it's pursued is a key autistic trait that often goes unrecognized.
The Power of a Correct Diagnosis
Receiving an accurate diagnosis of ASD, ADHD, or both can be a life-changing experience. It's not about applying a label; it's about gaining a framework to understand yourself and your needs.
From Self-Blame to Self-Compassion
Many undiagnosed women internalize their struggles, believing they are lazy, broken, or simply "not enough." A diagnosis reframes these challenges not as character flaws, but as differences in neurological wiring. This shift in perspective allows for self-compassion and acceptance to replace years of self-criticism.
Access to the Right Support
An accurate assessment opens the door to effective, tailored support. This might include:
ADHD-Specific Strategies: Executive function coaching, medication to improve focus, and therapies like CBT can help manage ADHD-related challenges.
ASD-Focused Accommodations: Sensory accommodations (like noise-canceling headphones), support with social communication, and strategies for preventing meltdowns can make a world of difference.
A Combined Approach: For women with both conditions, an integrated plan that addresses executive functioning, sensory needs, and emotional regulation is crucial.
Embracing Your Strengths
Despite the challenges, women with ADHD and ASD possess remarkable strengths. Their unique wiring often fosters:
Exceptional creativity and innovative thinking.
Deep empathy and a strong sense of justice.
The ability to hyperfocus and master subjects with incredible depth.
Authenticity and resilience.
Once they understand their neurotype, many women are able to harness these traits and excel as artists, advocates, scientists, and leaders. A diagnosis empowers you to stop fighting against your brain and start working with it.
Your Path to Understanding
The journey to an accurate ASD and ADHD assessment is a powerful act of self-advocacy. It's about validating your experiences and giving yourself permission to seek the support you've always deserved. If you've spent your life feeling like you're trying to solve a puzzle without all the pieces, a diagnosis could be the key that unlocks a new, more authentic chapter of your life.
Your journey is your own, but you don't have to walk it alone. Connecting with communities of other neurodivergent women can provide invaluable support and recognition. By understanding your unique brain, you can finally move from merely surviving to truly thriving.
References
A revolutionary new understanding of autism in girls | New Scientist
It is time to close the autism diagnosis gender gap | New Scientist
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