Undiagnosed Autism in Women: Masking, Misdiagnosis & The Cost of Being Missed

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 hidden20.org/donate.


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Host: Ben Branson


Production Manager: Phoebe De Leiburné


Video Editor: James Scriven


Social Media Manager: Charlie Young


Music: Jackson Greenberg


Head of Marketing: Kristen Fuller


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


The Hidden 20% is a charity founded by AuDHD 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 hidden20.org/donate.


Become a monthly donor.


Be part of our community where great minds think differently.





Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348


______________


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Instagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20charity


Ben Branson @seedlip_ben


Gina Rippon https://www.ginarippon.com/





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