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"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
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"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
"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
Visitor
"AWE's support has a profound impact on our students by fostering their curiosity and engagement."
Madison Blake - AWE Visitor (Home School Teacher)
"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 - AWE Contributor, California, United States
On AWE, You Will Find:
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Lists of Books Written by Women on the Autism Spectrum
An Emotional Book that Provides Effective Strategies for Coping with Grief
Information on Autism and Socialising and Autism & Mood
Resources via Video, Podcast, Article, Website + Social Connections
Details about Late-in-Life Autism Diagnoses
A Short Story Dramedy that Will Astonish You, set in 1960s Australia
Games that are Compatible with Neurodiversity
Real-Life Stories by Autistic Women from all over the World
The Official Michelle Dorothy Riksman Author Website
Reviews of AWE from Contributors And Visitors Worldwide
Insights into Formally Diagnosed Autistic Women Via Personal Quotes
Inspiring Lifestyle Suggestions and Garden Glee for Wellbeing
Reasons for the AWE Initiative And Notes for the Neurotypical
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+ Find Pertinent Information on this Vast
Website about Women
on the Autism Spectrum
Lots to see!
Resources | Media | Assessment | Education | Inspiration | Support | Grief | Research | Stories | Books | Quotes | Insights | Diversity | Wellbeing | Positivity | Connection | Understanding & Celebrating Autism
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Reviews About AWE From Contributors and Visitors Worldwide
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Autistic Women Everywhere Share Their Stories
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. Here you'll find many resources and important information about autism in females and gender-diverse individuals. You will find books written by women on the spectrum, inspiring lifestyle suggestions, ways to cope with grief, and much more. 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. To everyone who has contributed to AWE so far, you are making a difference. Thank you.
Helping broaden the understanding of
females on the spectrum
AWE is:
Revealing and celebrating
the blessings that can
be found in being autistic
Giving voice to the
relief that can flow
from an autism diagnosis
Reducing barriers
for others to
obtain a diagnosis
Do You Know Any Autistic Women?
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Chances Are You Do. You Just Don't Realise It
Autism in women is complex, misunderstood, and much more nuanced than you may surmise
We are Aunts, Nieces, Sisters, Spouses, Mothers, Daughters, Grandmothers...
You see us busy at work, driving in traffic, walking down the street. We get around like most people. Still, you can't know someone is autistic just by looking at them.
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.
