Until recently, most research on autism was about boys, usually from a white background. Up to date research tells us that women and girls are more likely to mask autistic traits. This is when a person hides their autistic traits, which can include suppressing stimming behaviours, rehearsing conversations in advance and copying the body language of neurotypical people. Over time, this can lead to anxiety and low self-esteem.
Others may mask autistic traits, due to cultural differences, stigma and societal expectations. Unfortunately, there isn’t much research about how people from black, Asian and minority ethnic communities experience being autistic. There is clearly a long way to go in understanding how autism presents in people from diverse backgrounds.
