“Better Late Than Never” – Exploring the Challenges and Triumphs from Late-Diagnosed Autistic Women
This publication is included in the Autistic Autism Scholarship Project. one author of this publication is identified as autistic in the project.
About the autistic author markerAltomare, A. (2026). “Better Late Than Never” – Exploring the Challenges and Triumphs from Late-Diagnosed Autistic Women [Dissertation]. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/4645
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Abstract
The diagnostic process for adult autistic women is a transformative experience that reshapes identity, their histories, and self-understandings. This study examines the impact of a late-in-life autism diagnoses on women through the examination of narratives from the Reddit community r/AutismInWomen, and autoethnography. Drawing on personal experience as a late-diagnosed autistic researcher, and the shared stories within r/AutismInWomen, the research demonstrates the challenges experienced, such as navigating stigma, negotiating identity, and seeking support. The research reveals that online platforms serve as critical spaces for stigma negotiation, identity validation, self-advocacy, and community building among autistic women. Furthermore, these narratives underscore the persistent gaps within adult autism research, especially in post-diagnostic care and identity-affirming practices. Through the focus on the lived experiences of late-diagnosed autistic women, this research helps move the field of adult autism research beyond a deficit-based framework toward one that recognizes diversity, empowerment, and the legitimacy of self-defined autistic identities.
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