Undiagnosed Autism In Women: The Complete History of NEGLECT

In part two of this conversation, neurobiologist and author of The Lost Girls of Autism, Gina Rippon, rejoins Ben to focus on the women autism research left behind. Picking up where part one ends, Gina traces how early brain science, diagnostic bias and cultural assumptions combined to hide autistic women in plain sight. She unpacks why autism was framed as a “male condition,” how masking became a survival strategy, and the real cost of decades of late or missed diagnosis. They explore the neuroscience behind prediction and masking, the forgotten female figures in autism’s history, and why the language of “over-diagnosis” risks oversimplifying a much more complex history of under-recognition . Gina also reflects on autistic bullying, and what meaningful change in diagnosis and research could look like next. If you’ve ever wondered why so many autistic women are only being seen now - or why you still don’t feel seen - this conversation is for you. We hope it offers some clarity, context, and hope. Join us at https://www.hidden20.org/donate 00:00 Introduction 01:00 Gina Rippon’s Career in Autism & Neuroscience 02:00 The Brain Questions That Changed Autism Research 05:12 Autism & the Brain: Predictive Coding Explained 08:11 Why So Many Autistic Women Were Missed 09:09 The Forgotten Female Psychiatrist Who Identified Autism Decades Earlier 16:52 Autism Diagnosis Ratios: Female vs Male Explained 18:02 How Many Autistic Women Have We Missed? The “Overdiagnosis” Myth 24:02 Masking in Autistic Women: The Breakthrough Moment 29:30 The Reality of Bullying for Autistic Girls 31:18 The Cost of Late Autism Diagnosis in Women 35:59 Autism, Hormones & PMDD: What Research Still Lacks 37:00 Debunking the “Refrigerator Mother” Myth 40:15 What Neuroscience Tells Us About the Autistic Brain 44:11 Neurodivergent vs Neurodiversity: Why Language Matters 46:00 The Future of Autism Diagnosis in Women 47:54 What Gives Gina Rippon Hope 50:45 Gina Rippon’s Top Tips for Autistic Women 51:44 Gina’s Green Dot Badge #autism The Hidden 20% is a charity founded by ADHD & autistic entrepreneur Ben Branson. Our mission is simple: To change how the world sees neurodivergence. No more stigma. No more shame. No more silence. 1 in 5 people are neurodivergent. That’s 1.6 billion of us - yet too many are still excluded, misunderstood, or left without support. To break the cycle, we amplify voices, challenge myths, and keep showing up. Spotlighting stories, stats and hard truths. Smashing stereotypes through honest voices, creative campaigns and research that can’t be ignored. Every month, over 50,000 people turn to The Hidden 20% to feel safe, seen and to learn about brilliant brains. With your support, we can reach further, grow louder, and keep fighting for the 1 in 5 who deserve more. Join us at https://www.hidden20.org/donate Become a monthly donor. Be part of our community where great minds think differently. Buy books by our guests, and support The Hidden 20% at the same time: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/hidden-... Host: Ben Branson Production Manager: Phoebe De Leiburné Video Editor: James Scriven Social Media Manager: Charlie Young Head of Marketing: Kristen Fuller Music: Jackson Greenberg Brought to you by charity THE HIDDEN 20% 1203348 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2g80pw5... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Website: www.hidden20.org Instagram:   / hidden20charity   TikTok:   / hidden20charity   Ben Branson:   / seedlip_ben