AUTISTIC WOMEN AND THE LABOR MARKET:

CHALLENGES OF INCLUSION, INVISIBILITY, AND LATE DIAGNOSIS

Abstract

This review study aims to analyze the inclusion of autistic women in the labor market, with an emphasis on the challenges related to social invisibility and late diagnosis. The literature indicates that, although there have been advances in diversity and inclusion policies, autistic women remain in a position of greater vulnerability due to the combination of gender-related barriers and a lack of awareness regarding the specific characteristics of female autism.

Late diagnosis, often resulting from patterns of social masking and gender stereotypes, contributes to more precarious professional trajectories and hinders access to appropriate support. The review also highlights that the invisibility of these women in the labor market is not limited to hiring practices but extends to job retention and career progression, in contexts that still lack awareness and inclusive accommodations.

By bringing together national and international studies, this work seeks to understand how structural inequalities impact the professional lives of autistic women and which strategies may promote greater equity. Thus, the study intends to contribute to the scientific and social debate on the need for public policies, organizational practices, and awareness-raising actions that foster effective inclusion.