Autism spectrum disorder is a condition that affects how people behave, socialize and communicate with others. It involves a wide spectrum of symptoms and different severity levels.
Can gender be used as a determining factor when getting a diagnosis? Spoiler alert: yes, it can
Andy Cukier specializes in podcast and sound production. She is also a teacher, an audiobook producer for Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial and the creator of Gatocracia, Crudo and Está bien no estar bien. She co-founded Drop the Mic Argentina and participated in the production and editing of the podcast titled "Los derechos no se aíslan," based on the federal research carried out by Chicas Poderosas.
At age 37, she was diagnosed with autism and since then she has been sharing her life experiences on her Instagram account @femiautista.
In her own words:
"After years and years of listening to my psychologist say that I don't 'look autistic' and that a diagnosis was just a label he refused to put on me, I was so tired, I decided to take the matter into my own hands. Every time I read about women on the autism spectrum who had received their diagnosis as adults, I cried my heart out because I saw myself in every one of them. That's why I decided to make an appointment at a specialized center, to go through all the necessary tests and interviews to either confirm or rule out this diagnosis."
"Not all autistic people are withdrawn or shy. We need representation of what autism can look like in a more outgoing person too." -C.L.Bridge
The mission of Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network (AWN) is to provide community, support, and resources for Autistic women, girls, transfeminine and transmasculine nonbinary people, trans people of all genders, Two Spirit people, and all others of marginalized genders.
AWN Network is dedicated to building a supportive community where everyone can share their experiences in an understanding, diverse and inclusive environment. AWN is committed to recognizing and celebrating diversity and the many intersectional experiences in the autistic community.
Their goal is to dispel stereotypes and misinformation which perpetuate unnecessary fears surrounding an autism diagnosis. They seek to share information which works to build acceptance and understanding of disability.