Autism in females is chronically underdiagnosed and misunderstood. Females with Level 1 Autism Spectrum Disorder often fly under the radar, masking symptoms, mimicking peers, and being misread as anxious, quirky, or simply shy. Our presentation is grounded in our lived experiences. We are two parent researchers raising an autistic daughter. We bring a unique perspective in that we both have significant expertise in special education, behavior analysis, and learning design. Carla holds a PhD in special education and is a doctoral-level board-certified behavior analyst. Matt holds a PhD in learning technologies and designs educational technologies for neurodivergent learners. Together, we have navigated a diagnostic system that failed to identify what was plainly present with our daughter. Our session will examine how autism manifests differently in females, how co-occurring conditions such as ADHD and dyslexia complicate identification, and why even trained professionals like us can miss the signs. Through focused examples from our lived experiences, we explore the emotional cost of masking, the challenges of securing appropriate support, and the process of fostering self-advocacy, identity, and meaningful inclusion. For educators, clinicians, and researchers, this session will offer a sharper lens on what autism can look like in females, and how personal and professional insight can be used to design better systems of support.

Upon completion of this webinar, participants will be able to:

1. Identify key gendered differences in the presentation of Autism Spectrum Disorder in females, including the impact of masking behaviors and common diagnostic challenges.
2. Analyze the influence of co-occurring conditions such as ADHD and dyslexia on the delayed or missed diagnosis of autism in girls.
3. Apply insights from a parent-researcher case study to improve support strategies for autistic female students in educational, clinical, and home settings.

About the Presenter

Carla Schmidt Ph.D.

Carla Schmidt, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA, is Director of Education & Training for Behavioral Health Support at BAYADA Home Health Care. Her primary research interests include the design and implementation of behavior-analytic interventions to support individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities across home, school, and community settings. Her secondary interests include promoting successful community integration for autistic youth and exploring technology-supported approaches to learning and behavior change. Matthew Schmidt, Ph.D., is a Professor of Learning, Design, and Technology at the University of Georgia (UGA) and Director of the Participatory, Interdisciplinary eXperience & Learning (PIXL) Lab. His research focuses on the design, development, and evaluation of advanced learning technologies, with an emphasis on supporting individuals with disabilities and chronic medical conditions. His work spans interactive courseware, computer-based interventions, and immersive learning environments, including virtual, augmented, and mixed reality. He also specializes in Learning Experience Design, with a focus on inclusive, learner-centered design practices.