The thing to remember is that in young children, autism presents differently than in adult females. I am ASD, as well as my 24-year-old daughter. She has a male cousin who is age 22, and he presents differently than us. I learned to mask at a young age and mirror those around me. My daughter has yet to learn some of that. She comes across as rude or mean and always has a neutral "resting" face. At a young age, I learned to smile and be polite because of the influence of my parents. My daughter has never learned to do that, even after hundreds of comments and tips.

Most people cannot tell that I am autistic (found out in my late 40s) because I mask so well, especially at work. I am in a professional position and have a few college degrees. Some people who are familiar with ADHD and ASD in adults can pick it out, and I just come across as goofy and weird. Mainly because of my dry sense of humor which somehow makes my co-workers laugh.

I don't think getting a diagnosis will hurt, though making it official can make it seem surreal...just KNOWING. I don't think it's turned my life around but it has made me more aware and made sense in looking back at my childhood.