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In the NHS's guidance for dealing with people with autism, there were no provisions for women's differing needs. As Monica Blakemore, founder of Autism Women Matter, told VICE in January, "It's a sort of double discrimination: being female, and being disabled.""It's a sort of double discrimination: being female, and being disabled." –Monica Blakemore of Autism Women Matter
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So what can be done to improve things? The consensus is that earlier diagnoses are imperative. "All research shows that an earlier diagnosis of ASD, followed by appropriate interventions, will optimize the person's life chances," says Reynolds.Povey says the issue is one of understanding: "We need to improve understanding of autism in every sector of society so that the unique difficulties women face will be recognized and more will face a diagnosis."Steps are being taken, thankfully. The NAS has been involved with Autism in Pink, a project looking into the experiences of women with the goal of developing new approaches to support and education. Dr. Judith Gould, who works at the Lorna Wing Center for Autism, is amending the questions asked of girls during the diagnosis process. Plus, according to Povey, the Lorna Wing Center has seen an increase in women seeking diagnosis in recent years—all very positive things.A big effort is still needed so that more women get a proper diagnosis, though. More research, more studies, and, perhaps most of all, a concerted effort to reach out to women and change the male biases that, under the surface, still dominate the world of autism.Update: This article has been originally stated that studies say one man is autistic for every 4.3 women. It has since been corrected to state that studies say one woman is autistic for every 4.3 men.Follow Jack on Twitter.On the subject of mental health, my good friend recently lost his brother. Suicide is the biggest cause of death in men between the ages of 20 and 45—men are often afraid to reach out and talk about their problems, and we need to change that. If you have any spare change, please donate to Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)."We need to improve understanding of autism in every sector of society so that the unique difficulties women face will be recognized and more will face a diagnosis." – Carol Povey of the NAS's Center for Autism