09/03/2026
💜 International Women’s Day: When understanding women means everyone gains
This year’s theme, Give to Gain, is about what happens when we invest in understanding women’s experiences. One area where that matters more than ever is neurodiversity.
For decades, conditions like autism and ADHD were largely studied through a male lens. The result? Many women grew up feeling “different” without ever knowing why.
The statistics highlight the gap:
➡️Autism is diagnosed around 3–4 times more often in boys than girls, partly because diagnostic criteria were based on male presentations.
➡️Girls and women are also more likely to be diagnosed later in life, often after years of masking or being misdiagnosed.
➡️Some experts now believe autism may occur at similar rates across genders, but girls are simply recognised later.
➡️ADHD shows a similar pattern, with many women not diagnosed until their late 30s or 40s.
For many women, finally receiving a diagnosis can be life-changing, offering clarity, validation, and access to the right support.
✨ When we give women the understanding, recognition and healthcare they deserve, we all gain. This International Women’s Day, let’s keep the conversation going about autism, ADHD in women.
🔗 Read more on understanding late diagnosis in women: https://xylahealth.com/about-xyla/news/understanding-late-autism-diagnosis-in-women/
Many women exploring autism later in life are not looking for answers out of nowhere. It’s the result of years of adapting, observing and holding things