We’ve waited for decades for an autism assessment tool that reflects the experiences of adult women. The older diagnostic tools based on research of autistic boys left many of us misdiagnosed, overlooked, or completely missed.

Dr. Rebecca Evanko set out to change that. After her own diagnosis at age 47, she used her background in cognitive linguistics, clinical practice and research to create an autism screening instrument developed specifically for adult women. It’s based on women’s personal experiences. It’s called WRADIANCE© Instrument and Protocol and is going into Phase III Clinical Trial.

In this episode Rebecca also explains why the words clinicians choose can dramatically change an assessment outcome, how autistic burnout is often mistaken for personality disorders, and why traits like heightened pattern recognition and focused persistence deserve recognition as autistic strengths rather than symptoms to be explained away.

The conversation also turns to identity after diagnosis, the grief many late-diagnosed women experience, and why therapies that include the body—not just the intellect—can play an important role in healing. Rebecca shares how equine-assisted therapy can help autistic women connect thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations in ways that traditional talk therapy often cannot.

In this episode:

• The words a real psych evaluation used to describe an autistic woman and what they actually mean
• Why cognitive linguistics — the study of how thought and language shape each other — explains so much of why women get missed
• What existing autism assessments overlook about adult women
• How autistic pattern recognition can appear as "intuition"
• The women’s autistic strengths that deserve greater recognition
• What horses can reveal about emotional regulation that talk-therapy alone cannot
• And more that would make this list much too long

Dr. Rebecca Evanko’s website

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If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com.

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June 24-28, 2026 In Rewilding Together

In this episode you’ll hear from Tanya Roberts about Mindfulness Done Differently. For those of us who find meditation and mindfulness difficult Tanya has a solution. She teaches a method that works for autistic people by taking sensory needs into account. She also created a supportive community of other autistics who are learning and practicing these skills.

Next, Tanya answers four unique questions about being an autistic woman. She shares deeply personal insights about her life now and before knowing she is autistic.

Website: Mindfulness Done Differently

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RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.2 million downloads!

If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com.

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Email: info@theautisticwoman.com
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June 24-28, 2026 In Rewilding Together

The medical system wasn't built for women who ask too many questions, need more time, or leave an exam still wanting answers. As a result many women have learned not to trust their bodies and their needs. Nikki Vinckier, a Physician’s Assistant, spent a decade working in medical care before she decided to write the manual it didn’t come with.

This conversation is not just about what's broken, but about what you can actually do about it before your next appointment.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How the history of reproductive healthcare still shows up in exam rooms today
• What medical gaslighting is and why autistic women are especially vulnerable
• Why a clinician can’t address your health issues during your annual exam
• How to communicate symptoms when the one-to-ten scale makes no sense for your brain
• The approach that gets you care in an autistic-friendly environment
• What trauma-informed care looks like in practice
• Why you don't have to disclose that you're autistic, and what to say instead
• Grounding techniques for exam rooms and waiting rooms

Nikki's book: We Deserve More: Why Health Care is Broken and What You Can Do About It

The We Deserve More Workbook: A Companion for Navigating Your Reproductive Healthcare

Take Back Trust: Nikki's platform for visit prep, reproductive health information, and combating medical misinformation.

Find Nikki: All social media platforms at @NikkiVinck

Support the show

RATED IN THE TOP 0.5% GLOBALLY with more than 1.2 million downloads!

If you are an autistic person who has written a book about autism or if you have a guest suggestion email me at info@theautisticwoman.com.

Instagram
Ko-fi, PayPal, Patreon
Linktree
Email: info@theautisticwoman.com
Website

June 24-28, 2026 In Rewilding Together