The Autistic Experience of Missed, Misdiagnoses and Late Diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Condition: A Meta-Ethnography

Abstract

Many autistic individuals experience missed, misdiagnosed or late diagnoses of autism. This review and meta-ethnography aimed to explore autistic people’s experiences of these diagnostic delays to synthesise and understand their impact. Following a preregistered protocol on PROSPERO ( CRD420251003596 ), 13 studies were systematically identified. A meta-ethnographic approach generated four themes and one sub-aspect, from which a line of argument was developed to illustrate a narrative across studies. The findings highlight how systemic misrecognition and entrenched misconceptions continue to shape autistic experiences across diagnostic, social and professional contexts. By synthesising themes of masking, marginalisation and identity, the review emphasises the profound personal and systemic costs of delayed diagnosis and supports broader inferences that may inform future clinical practice.