Being Diagnosed With Autism At 30 Was Unexpectedly Empowering

Dr Dimitrios Paschos – a leading consultant psychiatrist and Honorary Research Fellow at King's College London – oversaw the assessment. I felt vulnerable as I underwent a complex series of psychiatric evaluations with both him and a colleague, as well as completing questionnaires over the course of a week. Dr Paschos reassured me that I was not alone in feeling equally relieved and unsettled by the outcome. As he told me: "Nearly 80 per cent of autistic women remain undiagnosed by age 18, a vast number of women on the spectrum are hiding in plain sight."

I'm writing this in the hope that I can contribute to advocating for a shift in that statistic over time. As an art historian, I move between speaking engagements and research, as well as hosting art-focused events for heritage brands like Tiffany ⁘ Co. and Piaget. For someone with autism, this may seem unlikely. However, Dr Paschos described how "many autistic women learn to 'mask' or camouflage their differences, consciously mimicking social norms so effectively that others miss the signs." I can relate to this, but do also enjoy research, and am able to speak eloquently at engagements. I balance this with scheduling quiet moments as well as soothing time in nature, which helps me to cope with sensory issues and other challenges.

I'm reflecting on my diagnosis during Autism Awareness Month, and I've been moved by the thought-provoking Now I Know campaign run by the National Autistic Society . In partnership with Rankin Studio and Ogilvy Health, a series of films and photographs illuminate the experiences of women and non-binary individuals who have also received a late diagnosis. As someone who has previously felt overwhelmed by the limitations of undiagnosed autism, this series offered a powerful sense of community and relatability. It was also a reminder that autism comes in many different forms and can affect anyone, regardless of their background or career.

In my experience, the word "community" is important when considering autism. I'm fortunate to have had a peaceful upbringing in rural Scotland, within a loving and supportive family. I'm also thankful to have a wonderful husband of five years. But even with an optimal support system, there are everyday struggles, which can lead to anxiety and low moods. I asked Dr Paschos what tool there are to help alleviate this – particularly for autistic women who don't have the benefit of a support system like my own. He believes in "providing 'autism-informed' mental health care, because research shows that autistic women have higher risks of anxiety and depression".

Reference: Visit website