'I struggle with social situations': Calls for autism to be better recognised in women

Lily Beer-Doblon wants to raise awareness of autism in women

A young woman is calling for autism to be better recognised in women.

Lily Beer-Doblon has autism but she believes there is little understanding of her condition amongst the general public, particularly with regards to autistic women.

There are approximately 700,000 adults and children with autism in the UK. However, it is widely perceived to affect men only and women can struggle to get a diagnosis.

Ms Beer-Doblon says there is a public perception that those on the spectrum are not good at social interaction but stresses that this is not always the case.

Charl Davies is a tattoo artist. She says her autism affects her in everything she does but before her diagnosis one doctor turned her away when she suggested autism.

Charl Davies says she struggled to get a diagnosis for autism

Louise Albert from the National Autistic Society Cymru says women with autism often do not display the same markers as males and therefore can find it difficult to be diagnosed.

The National Autistic Society Cymru says a mix of research, clinical practice and anecdotal reports show that many autistic females often miss out on autism diagnosis or can be misdiagnosed with other conditions.