ABOUT THE AWE INITIATIVE

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About The AWE Initiative

Good move, you're here. I'm Michelle Dorothy Riksman, the sole owner, founder, and operator of the Autistic Women Everywhere (AWE) website. Various circumstances can lead women to an autism diagnosis, which brings important insights into autism as it presents in females. When my autism diagnosis came late in life, I could have kept the news to myself and carried on, but that wouldn't have served anyone. I asked myself; how can I give voice to the relief that can flow from an autism diagnosis in adulthood? How can I reveal the many blessings that can be found in being autistic? How can I help broaden the understanding of females on the spectrum? I could pour my heart into creating a website for autistic women, share my story, and give others the same opportunity.

Quotes by Autistic Women About Autistic Women

Reviews About AWE From Contributors and Visitors Worldwide

MY STORY

"Being part of AWE has been an incredibly meaningful experience. The project creates a space where Autistic women can share their stories with honesty, dignity, and depth, something that has been missing for far too long. Through AWE, I’ve connected with narratives that mirror my own late-diagnosis journey and those that expand my understanding of our shared diversity. It’s a beautifully affirming, empowering initiative that celebrates the full spectrum of Autistic identity and voice. I’m deeply grateful to be part of it. Michelle Dorothy Riksman has an extraordinary gift for holding autistic women's stories with such care, dignity, and tenderness, and I am profoundly grateful to be included among them. Michelle has built a sanctuary, a chorus of our voices that remind us we are not alone."

Michelle Labine, PhD - AWE Contributor, Nova Scotia, Canada

MY STORY

"Being a contributor for AWE was wonderful for me. I was able to share my story in the most authentic way. I also felt inspired by the other stories I read on the website. It let me know I am truly not alone, but I have a community I can connect with.

Traci Neal, South Carolina, United States - AWE Contributor

MY STORY

"AWE is a wonderful initiative given how many Autistic women only first discover their own neurodivergence via the Autistic community, and reading the stories of others whose life stories echo their own."

Anna Berry, NSW, Australia - AWE Contributor

Autistic Women Everywhere Receives Wonderful Reviews From Contributors of the Initiative A

Autistic Women Everywhere Receives Wonderful Reviews From Contributors of the Initiative And From Visitors of the Website

"What a wonderful idea to give people a voice. Not every question worth asking can be answered by a bell curve. This initiative draws awareness to the way differences in neurology manifest differently in gender. Autistic Women Everywhere breathes life into the data."

Dr. S Anderson, PhD, NSW, Austraila - AWE Visitor

"AWE's support has a profound impact on our students by fostering their curiosity and engagement."

Madison Blake - AWE Visitor (Home School Teacher)

MY STORY

"I stumbled across the AWE initiative when I was looking for support for diagnosed adult females- I had been diagnosed late, as so many others, unlike children now, we were often growing up in the wild west of the neurodivergent landscape. I read and added my own story of catharsis and empowerment. These are not things to be taken lightly, for they can be rare, especially for the average autistic. Initiatives like this are doing their part to change that, and I am honored to contribute to it. i can't wait to see where it goes next; for generations before us and after will benefit greatly."

AURIEL, California, United States - AWE Contributor

Would You Like To Review AWE?

WRITE A REVIEW

Females on the Spectrum - A Formal Diagnosis of Autism in Adulthood

Do You have a Formal Diagnosis of Autism?

AWE Invites You to Contribute to Broadening

The Understanding of Females & Gender-diverse Individuals on the Spectrum

SHARE YOUR DIAGNOSIS STORY

Formally Diagnosed Autistic Women Share Their Stories

To Share Your Diagnosis Story Worldwide

Autistic Women Tell Their Stories _ Late Autism Diagnosis in Females & Neurodiverse People

START HERE

AWE endeavours to

Help broaden the understanding of

females on the spectrum

Reveal and celebrate

the blessings that can

be found in being autistic

Give voice to the

relief that can flow

from an autism diagnosis

Reduce barriers

for others to

obtain a diagnosis

Do You Know Any Autistic Women?

I Don't

What

The?

Huh?

Chances Are You Do

Nope

Very

Funny!

Only My Nephew

We are Aunt's, Nieces, Sisters, Spouses, Mothers, Daughters, Granddaughters, Grandmothers. . .

You see us busy at work, driving in traffic, and walking down

the street; we get around like most people. But you can't

know that someone is autistic just by looking at them.

THE FEMININE FACES OF AUTISM

Socials

Notes For The Neurotypical

Dear Neurotypical. Hey! Thank you for stopping by. And, please, we know you are not Typical. Here, Neurotypical simply refers to those not on the spectrum. On that note, though autistic people can find social life tiring, connecting is a basic human need, for which we all benefit, including us. So, if you would like to read A Bit About Autism and Socialising, you will learn more about what Connecting, Overstimulation and Recovery mean for those on the spectrum.

A BIT ABOUT AUTISM AND SOCIALISING