Degree Name
MA (Master of Arts)
Program
Sociology
Date of Award
5-2026
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Joseph O. Baker
Committee Members
Marcha Copp, Candace Bright Hall-Wurst
Abstract
The diagnostic process for adult autistic women is a transformative experience that reshapes identity, their histories, and self-understandings. This study examines the impact of a late-in-life autism diagnoses on women through the examination of narratives from the Reddit community r/AutismInWomen, and autoethnography.
Drawing on personal experience as a late-diagnosed autistic researcher, and the shared stories within r/AutismInWomen, the research demonstrates the challenges experienced, such as navigating stigma, negotiating identity, and seeking support.
The research reveals that online platforms serve as critical spaces for stigma negotiation, identity validation, self-advocacy, and community building among autistic women. Furthermore, these narratives underscore the persistent gaps within adult autism research, especially in post-diagnostic care and identity-affirming practices.
Through the focus on the lived experiences of late-diagnosed autistic women, this research helps move the field of adult autism research beyond a deficit-based framework toward one that recognizes diversity, empowerment, and the legitimacy of self-defined autistic identities.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Altomare, Angela C., "“Better Late Than Never” – Exploring the Challenges and Triumphs from Late-Diagnosed Autistic Women" (2026). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 4645. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/4645
Copyright
Copyright by Angela C. Altomare
