The Hidden 20% King's College Neuroscientist: Why Autistic Women Are Being Missed (Part One)
Jul 23, 2025
Francesca Happé, a renowned Professor at King's College London, dives into the unique challenges faced by autistic women, particularly the alarming rates of missed diagnoses. She reveals how societal biases overshadow symptoms, impacting identity and mental health. The discussion also uncovers the struggles of elderly autistic individuals and the intersection of aging with autism, highlighting the urgent need for inclusive research. With insights into late diagnoses and the complexities of female autism, Francesca paves the way for a deeper understanding of this often-overlooked group.
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Autism Underdiagnosis in Elderly
- Autism in elderly people is vastly underdiagnosed, with nine out of ten cases missed or misdiagnosed after age 50.
- Hospitals often create hostile environments sensory-wise, and many elderly autistics lack advocates in care settings.
Late Diagnosis Reframes Lifetime
- Older autistic individuals diagnosed late often express relief that their diagnosis explains past social struggles.
- They feel they weren't stupid or broken, just different, which reframes their lifetime experience.
Gender Bias in Autism Diagnosis
- Autism research historically focused on males, creating bias in diagnostic criteria favoring boys' autistic traits.
- This leads to diagnostic overshadowing where girls' autistic traits are mistaken for conditions like social anxiety.
