Autism in adult women: discovering you’re autistic as an adult is a roller coaster
As a late-diagnosed Autistic Woman (more about me here) who realized much of my anxiety was due to several decades of masking who I truly am and mirroring others during social interaction, I understand and am passionate about supporting others through the process of receiving a diagnosis as an adult and integrating that into life.
You may experience anger, fear, grief, anxiety, and a sense of existential dread about what could have been different if you had known sooner or even social anxiety about the idea of unmasking and losing relationships.
I am here to help and happy to offer my experience and time to clients seeking support.
Reach out today for a free 15-20 minute consult call and let’s see if I can offer you what you’re looking for.
If you are an adult who is looking to connect with a mental health professional about Neurodivergence - specifically Adult Autism Assessments and Integration Work (what does it mean to learn about Autism as a facet of identity as an adult?) - I am a mental health professional licensed to provide you support.
I offer ongoing mental health therapy and support to clients who live in Oregon, Washington, Tennessee and Florida and can offer one-time consultations and referral support to clients outside of those states.
I can partner with you and another professional you are already working with to provide specific support around Autism, Neurodivergence, and integrating an adult diagnosis into your life.
This support often looks like supporting individuals who have received diagnosis from a psychiatrist and don’t know how to unpack the myriad of mental stories and feelings that new awareness can bring.
Maybe you’re finding yourself here because you think you are autistic and are looking for a mental health professional to talk to about confirming your self-assessment.
Maybe you have completed multiple online Autism Self-Assessments such as the ones offered by Embrace Autism including the following assessment tools available at no-cost and want to talk through the results.
The AQ-10 Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ-10) is a quick questionnaire that primary care practitioners can use to see if a person should be referred for an autism assessment.
The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) is a self-administered questionnaire used to measure autistic traits in adults (age 16+) with IQ in the normal range (IQ >=80).
The Empathy Quotient (EQ) is a self-administered questionnaire designed to measure empathy in adults. It tests the ability to tune into how someone else is feeling, or what they might be thinking.
The Systemizing Quotient–Revised (SQ–R) is a self-report questionnaire comprising 75 items, which is used to assess so-called systemizing cognitive styles. Systemizing is the drive to analyze or construct systems. Look at the What it tests section for a more comprehensive explanation of systemizing.
The Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale–Revised (RAADS–R) is a self-report questionnaire designed to identify adult autistics who “escape diagnosis” due to a subclinical level presentation.
The Aspie Quiz is a self-administered questionnaire to measure autistic traits in adults (age 16+) with an IQ in the normal range (IQ >=80). In fact, it measures both autistic and neurotypical traits in five domains: talent, perception, communication, relationship, and social.
The Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q) is a self-report measure of social camouflaging behaviours in adults. It may be used to identify autistic individuals who do not currently meet diagnostic criteria due to their ability to mask their autistic proclivities.
The Adult Repetitive Behaviours Questionnaire-2 (RBQ-2A) is a self-administered questionnaire that measures restricted and repetitive behaviours in adults.
If you’re looking to discuss an autism assessment, integration of an autism diagnosis, or want to learn more about what assessments are like, what therapy with an autism affirming therapist is like, or something else related to Adult Autism: click here, scroll down, complete the brief form, and I will email you within 5 days about a time we can connect.
