Sources: Weiss, J. A., & Fardella, M. A. (2018). Trauma and Autism Spectrum Disorder: Review of Research and Clinical Implications. Autism Research. Zablotsky, B., Bradshaw, C. P., Anderson, C. M., & Law, P. A. (2013). The association between bullying and the mental health of children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Lai, M. C., et al. (2020). Mask In this episode of "Femme on the Spectrum," host Elizabeth explored the often misunderstood and mislabeled intersection of autism and narcissism. The discussion primarily focused on distinguishing between the behaviors associated with each condition, particularly focusing on the experiences of autisitic women. As Elizabeth explained, while narcissists manipulate social situations for personal gain, autistic individuals communicate more straightforwardly, aiming to achieve understanding and fairness. She also highlighted the harmful habit of stigmatizing autistic behaviors as narcissistic, especially within family dynamics, emphasizing the importance of unpacking unconscious biases and encouraging dialogue. A segment discussing the role of humor as a coping strategy for autistic individuals offered insights into bypassing difficulty with social cues and achieving connection. The discussion concluded with the exploration of a 2018 study which revealed the tendency for autistic women to mask their behaviors to blend in, leading to late diagnosis or misdiagnosis. The episode was a call to better understand and respect the unique ways in which autistic people perceive and interact with the world.