E97: Gina Rippon (Part 2)

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.