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.

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

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