Autistic women excel in education, face mental health struggles
Autistic women show strengths in education and employment but face mental health challenges.
Why it matters
- Provides insight into the lives of over 1,400 autistic women and nonbinary adults.
- Highlights both strengths and challenges across education, employment, and mental health.
By the numbers
- Over 1,400 participants.
- More than half were employed, over 80% completed post-secondary education.
- 70% reported anxiety, 62% depression, 17% eating disorders.
- 33% reported suicidal thoughts, 21% self-harm.
The big picture
- Those diagnosed in adulthood reported more psychiatric conditions and higher rates of suicidal thoughts.
- Indicates a need for more research and tailored support for this population.
What they're saying
- Comments question the term "thriving" given mental health issues.
- Concerns about masking behaviors leading to mental health struggles.
Caveats
- Sample was mostly white and highly educated, limiting generalizability.
- Participants were self-selected, potentially skewing results.
What’s next
- More research needed to understand lived experiences and develop targeted mental health interventions.