Autism in women · experiences
Everything seemed to be going well from the outside
Camouflage means that the outside world often doesn't notice until it no longer works. Below are some patterns that often recur.
🔒 These are anonymized, composite patterns based on what patient associations, research and healthcare providers broadly report on this subject. They are not quotes from one specific person. As soon as we receive real, consented experiences, we publish them here carefully and with attribution.
Recognisable patterns
What people often experience
The wrong diagnosis firstYears
“I was treated for anxiety and later for burnout, before someone asked if this had perhaps always been the case.”
Camouflage at workDaily
“I literally rehearsed conversations in advance. At the end of the day I had nothing left for myself.”
The diagnosis of a child as a triggerLater in life
“When my child was diagnosed, I recognised myself in every conversation with the diagnostician.”
Finally an explanationAfter decades
“I was in my forties when the penny dropped. No cure, but for the first time an explanation that made sense.”
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