Como estereótipos de gênero afetam o subdiagnóstico de meninas e mulheres autistas

Abstract

The Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that manifests itself differently in each individual. Common features include communication difficulties, lack of social skills, language difficulties, and restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. The diagnosis of ASD is based on behavioral observations and the severity of the disorder is determined by the degree of impairment in social communication and restricted and repetitive behaviors. The topic of neurodivergence has been increasingly discussed in the media and academia, driven by the sharing of experiences by neurodivergent people on social media and by studies related to the topic. This greater visibility has led to greater interest in and understanding of neurodiversity as an important aspect of human diversity. My attention is particularly drawn to the issue surrounding autistic women and the difficulty they experience in obtaining their diagnosis as well as their understanding as being neurodivergent. Therefore, this assay sought to understand, through a review of the existing literature, how social representations and stereotypes about gender and about autism influence the underdiagnosis of autistic women. It was noticed that some characteristics associated with autism are also associated with girls, and this, together with their tendency to camouflage their symptoms, seems to represent a major factor that can explain the underdiagnosis.