Happy International Women’s Day to ALL women!
This year we highlighted stories of early-career researchers driving innovation in autism research, research on autism and gender differences and policy advocacy on Autistic women’s pain.
Early-career researchers driving innovation in autism research
Dr Ifrah Abdullahi’s (pictured left) work focuses on the health and developmental outcomes of children of immigrant and minority backgrounds. Her research interests are neurodevelopmental and developmental differences, particularly autism and intellectual disability.
Dr Rachel Kennedy (pictured middle) is a physiotherapist and researcher who leads the VicHealth funded project GYM-SPARC – Getting Young people Moving by Supporting Participation and Access to Recreation Centres. Rachel works tirelessly to promote GYM-SPARC and inclusion in fitness and gym settings.
Dr Kelsey Philpott-Robinson (pictured right) specialises in scoping review methods, self-regulation and child mental health. Kelsey’s current research interests include school-based interventions for self-regulation and mental health, effectiveness of self-regulation interventions for Autistic and non-Autistic children, and early sensory behaviours in Autistic children.
Dr Susan M Hayward is an early career postdoctoral research fellow specialising in Employment of neurodivergent people, specifically those on the autism spectrum, with a particular focus on gender dynamics.
Dr Claire Brown is a Suicide Prevention Australia Fellow specialising in research co-production, Autistic mental health, suicide prevention and barriers to care for Autistic people.
The research
Autism and minority communities
This SBS video from 2023 highlights work from Dr Ifrah Abdullahi, who’s focus is on a greater understanding of autism within minority communities, and more targeted care to ensure access and supports within these communities.
What are the challenges and support needs of Autistic working mothers?
This plain language summary highlights the research of PhD candidate Kate Gore investigates. Kate’s research focuses on creating supports for Autistic working mothers.
How can we diagnose Autistic girls earlier?
Our research shows that while no major gender differences were seen in autism traits at 18-24 months, the ratio of diagnosed girls to boys shifted dramatically—from one in fifteen at 12 months to one Autistic girl for every three Autistic boys by 24 months. This suggests that Autistic girls may be overlooked early on.
Recent advocacy
Autistic women and girls experience higher rates of chronic pain but often face challenges in accessing proper diagnoses and treatments. Factors such as difficulty navigating healthcare, miscommunication, and financial barriers can all contribute to this.
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
The submission highlights the increased prevalence of chronic pain among Autistic women and girls, who face unique challenges in obtaining diagnosis and treatment. Barriers such as difficulties navigating healthcare systems, miscommunication with clinicians, and the financial burden of care contribute to their lower quality of life.
The submission calls for the development of tailored, evidence-based guidelines. OTARC recommends integrating Autistic voices into pain care policies, funding research specific to Autistic women, and improving healthcare professional training to better address their needs.
Download our submission from La Trobe University’s open access repository – OPAL.
Gilbert, M., Hayward, S., Dwyer, P., & Haschek, A. (2024). Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre’s response to the Victorian Government’s inquiry into women’s pain (Version 1). La Trobe. https://doi.org/10.26181/26548291.v1
