I den här uppsatsen har tre kvinnor med högfungerande autism intervjuats, två representanter från intresseorganisationer inriktade på autism och neuropsykiatriska funktionsvariationer samt en föredetta arbetskonsulent på Arbetsförmedlingen. Syftet med studien var att öka förståelsen för intervjupersonernas upplevda hinder och förbättringsmöjligheter för kvinnor med autism att etablera sig på arbetsmarknaden. Forskningsfrågorna handlade om hinder och förbättringar och besvarades genom semistrukturerade kvalitativa intervjuer. Resultatet och svaret på intervjupersonernas upplevda hinder mynnade ut i ett antal teman som rör sig om hur kvinnor får sina diagnoser för sent, okunskap i omgivningen och strukturella svårigheter inom arbetslivet. Förbättringsåtgärder som presenterades var förebyggande stöd, ökad kunskap hos myndigheter, skola, vård och arbetsgivare samt kollektiv organisering i syfte att stärka den gemensamma identiteten. Resultatet analyserades och bearbetades utifrån studiens teoretiska ramverk som utgjordes av stigma-teorin av Erwing Goffman och Empowerment. / In this essay, three women with high-functioning autism were interviewed, two representatives from interest-groups focused on autism and neuropsychiatric disabilities, and a former work consultant atthe Swedish Public Employment Service. The purpose of the study was to increase the understanding of the interviewees' perceived obstacles and opportunities for improvement for women with autism to establish themselves on the labor market. The research questions focused on obstacles and improvements and were answered through semi-structured qualitative interviews. The response to the interviewees' perceived obstacles has resulted in a number of themes: i) how women receive their diagnoses too late, ii) ignorance of the environment and iii) structural obstacles on the labor market. Improvements that were presented were i) preventive support, ii) increased knowledge in authorities, schools, healthcare and employers and iii) collective organization in order to strengthen the common identity. The results were analyzed and processed based on the study's theoretical framework, which consisted of the stigma theory of Erwing Goffman and the concept of Empowerment.

The aim of this study was to explore how women who were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder as adults described their existence before and after the diagnosis. The study was conducted by analysing four women’s autobiographical texts. The texts deal with their experiences growing up without awareness of their disability, how they got diagnosed as adults and how the diagnosis impacted their lives. The study used a qualitative approach and a theoretical framework consisting of social constructionism and crip-theory. Through a thematic analysis of these women’s stories this study found that women who are diagnosed late in life experience challenges such as mental health problems, feelings of exclusion and confusion around one’s own identity. Findings also highlight the importance of early diagnosis to prevent previous mentioned challenges. Further research should be made to explore how new national guidelines for support and treatment impact individuals with autism spectrum disorder.