Why Women-Centered Autism Resources Are Essential: Addressing Pushback and Closing the Gaps

In recent months, I’ve received messages from men expressing frustration about my focus on women’s health and women’s experiences of autism. It’s an important topic, and I wanted to address it because it speaks to a larger issue we face in healthcare and neurodiversity: the historical imbalance in research and resources for women. For those who aren’t familiar with the background, understanding this imbalance can provide crucial context for why women-centered spaces like these are so necessary.

The Problem: A Legacy of Male-Centric Research

Many people don’t realize that, for decades, medical and psychological research was conducted with a male perspective as the default. This approach shaped everything from diagnostic criteria to treatment plans, leading to a medical and research landscape that often overlooks or misinterprets women’s unique experiences. In fact, up until 1993, it was not mandatory in the United States to include women in clinical trials for most conditions. As a result, most of the knowledge we have about health—including neurodiversity like autism—was initially developed based on studies conducted almost exclusively on men.

This imbalance has left deep gaps in how we understand health conditions in women, including autism. Diagnostic criteria, symptom descriptions, and even public awareness often reflect the typical male experience. When it comes to autism, for example, early research focused heavily on boys, leading to a set of diagnostic criteria that reflects their experiences more closely. But autism in women often presents differently, with signs that may be more subtle or easily masked. As a result, countless women have gone undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for most of their lives, often experiencing years of misunderstanding and lack of support.

The Impact: Women’s Health Needs Aren’t Fully Met

When men feel frustrated by a focus on women’s health and experiences, it can highlight just how accustomed society is to having resources designed with a male-centric perspective. For many men, it may feel unusual to encounter resources or spaces not primarily created with them in mind. But that is precisely the experience many women have had for decades. Women are often left to fit themselves into a mold that doesn’t quite align with their reality, which can be isolating and even harmful.

This frustration some men feel is also a reflection of the longstanding imbalance. And correcting that imbalance doesn’t mean excluding men; it means providing women with resources that genuinely address their unique experiences. It’s about creating a healthcare system where everyone’s needs are met, even if that means tailoring certain spaces to address those who have been historically overlooked.

Why We Need Women-Centered Autism Resources

The focus on women’s health and autism isn’t about division; it’s about creating balance in a world that has historically overlooked women’s specific experiences. Women-centered spaces for health and autism are essential because they directly address the gap in our current understanding and support for women. These spaces help ensure that women are not only diagnosed and treated appropriately but also given access to resources and communities that fully understand their journey.

When women’s needs are finally recognized and met, it benefits everyone. By deepening our understanding of how conditions like autism manifest in diverse populations, we broaden our knowledge, improve diagnostic accuracy, and create more inclusive treatments. A world that values and recognizes women’s health experiences is a world that values all health experiences.

Moving Forward: Building a Truly Inclusive Health Landscape

For men reading this, understanding the history and current needs of women’s health—and why women-centered resources are essential—can be a vital step toward true inclusivity. This mission isn’t just about women; it’s about ensuring that all voices, all experiences, and all needs are represented in healthcare.

Together, we’re working to ensure that women’s experiences with autism and health aren’t just heard but fully understood and valued. Creating spaces that address specific needs isn’t exclusive; it’s inclusive. It’s what real equity looks like, and it’s a crucial step forward for us all.

Thank you to everyone—men and women alike—who supports this mission. Your understanding and advocacy help pave the way for a healthcare landscape where everyone, regardless of gender, feels seen, understood, and valued.

Note: While this article highlights women's experiences navigating healthcare and neurodiversity, it’s important to recognize that non-binary, gender-diverse individuals and people of color have also been historically underrepresented in medical research and resources. The impact of male-centric and white-centric research affects many marginalized communities, and this mission for inclusivity and understanding extends to everyone who the traditional healthcare landscape has overlooked. Embracing a more inclusive perspective benefits us all by recognizing the diversity of experiences across gender, race, and identity.

Explore More Research & Resources for Autistic Women

I’m Julie Bjelland, LMFT

A psychotherapist, author, and founder of Sensitive Empowerment. I specialize in high sensitivity and adult-discovered autism. My passion is helping you live with more self-love and self-compassion and flourish more fully in the world. I’ve developed tools to balance the sensitive nervous system and reduce challenges so you can reach your fullest potential. My global support hub includes online courses, the Sensitive Empowerment Community, a top-ranked podcast, articles, webinars, and more. I’m a proud neurodivergent and queer therapist, and my mission is to create a world where differences are embraced as strengths and celebrated. I look forward to supporting your journey. Learn more at JulieBjelland.com

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