The importance of critical life moments: An explorative study of successful women with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Current research suggests that women with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have unique stories and experiences from those experienced by men with ASD. Accounts by women with ASD reveal that although these individuals may... [ view full abstract ]

Current research suggests that women with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have unique stories and experiences from those experienced by men with ASD. Accounts by women with ASD reveal that although these individuals may experience significant challenges throughout their life, they can achieve quite significant outcomes. Little research has been conducted, however, on the factors that enable women with ASD to achieve success.

Ten women with ASD discussed their perceptions of themselves as “successful” and related the experiences and factors that had enabled them to achieve success in different aspects of their life. Participants also discussed challenges they had encountered and provided recommendations for younger girls with ASD.

Participants experiences with overcoming obstacles in their lives enabled them to develop self-efficacy and to become “agents of change” to shape their own success. Participants felt that passion and an ability to be goal-focused was a key factor in helping them to achieve. Having a mentor or particular friend along the way was also important in helping them to believe in themselves. Despite having achieved some measures of success in their work lives, however, many participants felt they continued to struggle in their personal lives.

Women with ASD have significant insights on the factors that have helped or hindered them to achieve success in some aspect of their lives. Across the stories there is a message of hope and positivity, showing women with ASD can be empowered to take action towards a successful and fulfilling future.

This research received full ethics approval from Griffith University and was conducted within ethics guidelines. Participants were recruited through advertisements placed with local psychologists and on relevant websites. Full... [ view full abstract ]

This research received full ethics approval from Griffith University and was conducted within ethics guidelines. Participants were recruited through advertisements placed with local psychologists and on relevant websites. Full consent for participation and publication was obtained from all participants. In addition, member checking was conducted and participants were consulted to provide feedback about the findings from this study.

No external funding or contributed support from any organisations were provided for this research. Therefore, there is no potential conflict of interest for this research.