You’ve heard that autism often “presents differently” in women than in men, but can women have a male version of ASD?
What if a woman has masculine traits?
Autistic women are either more likely than autistic men to regularly mask (routinely conceal their autistic traits and act neurotypical), or – they’re more likely than men to be “high” masking, that is, a much higher degree of faking being neurotypical.
Why is masking more prevalent in autistic women, and/or more intense or higher in autistic women?
From an early age, girls – much more so than boys – are instructed to conform to a societal template; there’s little room for straying.
Girls, much more so than boys, are often told things like, “Don’t create waves,” or, “Hold back on your opinions.”
We’ve heard way too many times, “That’s not ladylike,” and not enough times, “A well-behaved woman never makes history.”
Boys, on the other hand, are allowed to be a little more adventurous, high spirited, expressive, outspoken and even “bratty.”
Boys are also more likely than girls to get a pass on acting “nerdy” or being a bookworm.
Plus, how often are boys told, “You should smile more,” or, “How come you’re so quiet?”
It’s more socially acceptable for boys throughout their school years to come across as always looking serious or being very analytical, to be introverted and not give good eye contact, to be a bit awkward or quirky, to be blunt or overly candid, and to have peculiar interests.
Heaven forbid if a girl exhibits any of these traits. This will more-so get attention from teachers or other adults in her life. These traits can also draw ridicule from her female peers.
These double standard socialization rules drive autistic females to be high masking or more likely to mask in general – extending into adulthood.
But what if an autistic woman has masculine traits?
Just what are masculine traits in a woman?
In the typical industrialized society, a woman is considered to be “manly” if any of the following features apply to her.
- Assertive, bold, outspoken, authoritative, daring
- Tough, confrontational, enjoys a good argument
- Not easily intimidated, doesn’t scare easily
- Has no problem speaking up to men
- Doesn’t do “girlie” things like wear makeup and jewelry or use a purse
- Dresses androgynously or wears men’s clothes
- Participates in male-dominated sports such as heavy weightlifting or skateboarding
- Lacks stereotypical female mannerisms
- Is drawn to jobs that usually attract men (auto mechanic, truck driver, electrician)
Could it be true, then, that if an autistic woman has these so-called masculine traits, she’s less likely to have become adept at masking?
After all, a female on the Spectrum who’s never put a heavy premium on “being like” other girls would see no reason to act like them to blend in.
Seems that a girl or woman with autism who’s not stereotypically feminine would more likely just freely be her authentic self; trying to fit in be damned.
And when an autistic woman or teen/school girl is mostly her authentic self, then this means she’s low masking, or not even masking at all.
I’ve always been low masking. I’ve never been traditionally feminine. Coincidence?
I asked Cassie Roybal, a late-diagnosed AuDHD licensed professional counselor and founder of EmpowHERed Divergence Therapy, if there could actually be a such thing as a male version of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Roybal explains, “Personally, I don’t believe autism has a male or female ‘version.’
“I tend to view it more as the difference between high masking and low masking presentations.
“Historically, autism research was based almost entirely on cis white boys, so the traits that showed up most visibly in them (stimming, intense special interests, and social disengagement) became the ‘default’ profile.
“But plenty of women and non-binary people have always shown those same traits.
“The difference is that society often socializes us to mask more, to conform, to take up less space and to survive by blending in.
“I think some people don’t have as much pressure to mask or have less ability to mask and therefore will more commonly present with the ‘default’ profile.”
That really rings true, because when I was growing up, my parents never got on my case why I didn’t have friends like my two older sisters did.
In high school, my blatant lack of a social life was even more apparent, since high school years are associated with much vaster social opportunities.
I stimmed in private or discreetly, but was outwardly into my special interests and was socially disengaged.
Roybal continues, “I do agree that there are disproportionately more boys and men that have this low masking profile, but girls and women can absolutely fit in this category.
“Conversely, boys and men can be high masking and fit into the profile — that many have continued to dub the ‘female subtype.’
“But again, I don’t think that’s the best way to conceptualize it, and I think it continues to encourage missed diagnosis.”
Final Thoughts
Autism doesn’t have inherently male or female versions.
What differs is how individuals present based on socialization (especially gender socialization) and masking.
Women with more traditionally masculine traits may feel less pressure to conform, making them more likely to show a low masking profile.
Recognizing this helps challenge gendered misconceptions and reduce missed ASD diagnoses.
Cassie Roybal is a late-diagnosed AuDHD therapist (LPC) and founder of 
