Adult women with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder: Perspectives on the menarche/menstruation experience

Framed in select MWGS feminist theories, this study’s 335 adult women/assigned-female-at-birth responded to the Autism Spectrum Quotient-10 (AQ-10, 2012) and Menstrual Attitude Questionnaire-2nd version (MAQ, 1980a, 1980b). Although without statistical significance (α = .05), 29/335 (8.7%) reported high AQ-10 scores (6+) suggesting further ASD testing. The high 8.7 percentage perhaps is a product of AQ-10’s screening purpose or underreporting/misdiagnosis due to the female ASD phenotype’s camouflaging abilities. Higher AQ-10 (6+) scores had somewhat higher mean MAQ scores for four (Debilitating/Bothersome/Natural/Predictable) and one lower (Denial) MAQ subscales. Exploratory analysis of participants’ disclosure of co-occurring gynecological, medical, and mental health concerns highlighted potential impact of such conditions on women’s health across ethnicity, age at menarche, and age groups. This study sought to expand MWGS’s inclusion of women with disabilities/ASD, empowering all women utilizing a holistic womanist approach. Research on menstruation and autism should replicate this study and devise a female/assigned-female-at-birth-only AQ-10 version.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Art

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Multicultural Women's and Gender Studies

Grantor

Texas Woman's University

Year dc:date.issued

2019

Author dc:creator

• Perlow, Ellen

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• DeOrnellas, Kathy
• Beins, Agatha

• Females
• Menstrual cycle
• Autism spectrum
• Adult women with access needs

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/11274/12160

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:twu-ir.tdl.org:11274/12160