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January 21, 2025 • 16 mins
In this episode of "Femme on the Spectrum," host Elizabeth discusses a range of issues that impact neurodivergent women. She begins with a critique on the binary approach to gender recognition in a recent executive order, which she points out can be particularly harmful to autistic women who do not fit neatly into male/female categories. This theme continues with a deep dive into currently threatened reproductive rights and the implications of Project 2025, which disproportionately affects neurodivergent women. Elizabeth then addresses the lack of workplace protections and the rollback of inclusive initiatives, making the job hunt more challenging for this demographic. She also raises the alarm on the potentially harmful impacts of Medicaid cuts on autistic women's healthcare. The episode concludes with a call to action, urging listeners to use their voices for advocacy, to support organizations championing autistic women, and to share their stories widely.
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Episode Transcript

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Speaker 1 (00:04):
Step into a world where being neurodivergent is celebrated and
the conversations are as real as they are eye opening.
Welcome to Femme on the Spectrum, where autism, ADHD and
life's biggest issues collide in the most empowering way. Hey,
they're femfam. I'm your host, Elizabeth, your friendly neighborhood high

(00:28):
functioning autistic woman here to navigate this wild ride with you.
This is the podcast where we tackle serious topics with
humor and heart, keeping things witty, slightly sarcastic, and unapologetically informative.
In today's episode, we've got a lot to cover. We're
kicking things off with a discussion about the recent presidential

(00:49):
inauguration and diving into the executive order mandating the federal
government to only recognize two sexes yep, just male and female.
We'll dig into why this binary approach is problematic, especially
for those of us on the spectrum. Then we'll journey

(01:09):
into the critical issue of reproductive rights and the implications
of Project twenty twenty five. Spoiler, it's not looking good
for neurodivergent women. Next, we'll tackle the often overlooked topic
of workplace protections or the lack thereof, and how the
rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives is a massive

(01:34):
red flag for autistic women. And if you thought healthcare
challenges couldn't get worse, think again. We'll discuss the impact
of Medicaid cuts and disability support reductions, highlighting why these
changes are downright dangerous for autistic women. Lastly, we'll talk

(01:54):
about what we can do to fight back because here
at Femme on the spectrum, we believe in the power
of advocacy and making some noise autistic style of course,
with fax figures and a healthy dose of SaaS. So
buckle up, it's going to be an enlightening ride. Let's
get into it all right. Let's kick things off with

(02:17):
the recent presidential inauguration and that eyebrow raising executive order.
As if the pomp and ceremony weren't enough. On day one,
yes literally the first day, we got an executive order
that mandates the federal government to only recognize two sexes,

(02:38):
male and female. No nuance, no space for individuality, and
certainly no acknowledgment of the complex, diverse experiences of people
who don't fit neatly into those binary boxes. It's like
someone took the rich tapestry of human experience and decided

(02:59):
to turn it into to a two color paint by number.
For those of us on the spectrum, this kind of
reductionist thinking feels especially frustrating and honestly exhausting. Picture this.
It's like trying to explain why sarcasm is a love
language to someone who insists there's only one way to

(03:19):
say I care. It's limiting, oversimplifying, and it's missing so
much of the bigger picture. Now, let's talk about why
this really matters. This kind of policy isn't just a
slap in the face to trans and non binary folks,
although that's bad enough. It trickles down to everyone who

(03:39):
doesn't fit society's cookie cutter molds, including autistic women. According
to a twenty twenty two study published in Autism Research,
women on the spectrum are diagnosed an average of two
years later than men. And guess what late diagnoses mean
delayed support, more misunderstandings, and a whole lot of unnecessary struggle.

(04:02):
Imagine trying to advocate for yourself in a system that
doesn't even acknowledge the spectrum of gender identities. It's like
showing up to a pot luck with a gluten free
dish and finding out no one brought plates annoying, Yes, limiting,
definitely downright harmful. You bet. The frustration and exhaustion from

(04:24):
trying to fit into these binary boxes can be overwhelming,
and it shows just how out of touch these policies
are with the realities of our lives. We need policies
that recognize and support our complex identities, not ones that
try to simplify and erase them. All right, that's enough
to chew on for now. Next up, we'll dive into

(04:46):
the unsettling world of reproductive rights and Project twenty twenty five.
Trust me, you won't want to miss this. All right, folks,
brace yourselves because we're about to wade into some deep
waters here. Let's talk about Project twenty twenty five, and
it's aimed to roll back access to abortion and contraceptives.

(05:07):
Now why is this so important for us to discuss? Well,
because it doesn't just affect women in general. It's an
absolute calamity for neurodivergent women specifically. You see, navigating healthcare
as an autistic woman is already like playing a rigged
game of monopoly. You start with fewer resources, the rules

(05:28):
don't make sense, and somehow you're always in jail or,
in this case, on hold with a receptionist who doesn't
understand why you're asking so many questions. Now imagine trying
to access birth control or abortion services in a system
that's been gutted by restrictive policies. It's not just unfair,

(05:48):
it's dangerous. And this isn't just my opinion. According to
a report from the Journal of Women's Health, a whopping
seventy eight percent of autistic women ruggle to find health
care providers who understand their needs. That's right, seventy eight percent.
That means eight out of ten autistic women are already

(06:10):
facing an uphill battle just to get basic health care.
Toss in restrictive access to reproductive care, and you're looking
at a full blown crisis. Here's the reality. Limited reproductive
rights don't just mean fewer choices, They mean fewer rights period.
For neurodivergent women, who often face barriers to being heard

(06:31):
and taken seriously, this adds another layer of difficulty. We
already deal with enough misunderstandings and delayed support. We don't
need our access to essential health care services limited to
This affects our autonomy, our health, and our very lives.
So what's the takeaway here? Project twenty two to succent

(06:55):
Hiako twenty five isn't just a women's rights issue, you,
It's a neurodivergent rights issue. Too. Restrictive policies hit us
harder because we're already working with less systemic support. It's
like cutting off the narrow path we're struggling to walk
on and expecting us to climb a mountain instead. Spoiler alert,

(07:18):
that's not going to happen. Stay tuned because up next
we're diving into workplace protections, or rather the lack thereof.
Trust me, you won't want to miss this eye opener,
all right, Buckle up, femfam, because we're stepping into the
murky world of workplace protections or should I say the

(07:40):
lack thereof now. During the Trump administration, we saw a
rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives that we're supposed
to make workplaces more accommodating for folks like us, for
autistic women. This move was like a giant flashing red flag.
We're already to be seen and understood and taking away

(08:03):
these initiatives feels like a punch to the gut. Let
me hit you with a stat that's both unsettling and
all too real. According to the National Autistic Society, only
twenty two percent of autistic adults are employed, and guess what,
women have an even tougher time finding work that accommodates

(08:23):
their needs. Imagine that you're looking for a job where
you can actually thrive, but the system isn't exactly rolling
out the red carpet for you tough right. Diversity initiatives
aren't just some corporate buzzwords thrown around in HR meetings.
They're lifelines. They're the programs that help us get a

(08:44):
seat at the table instead of being stuck outside, knocking
on the door and wondering if anyone can hear us.
Without these initiatives, the gap between needing a job and
actually getting one widens even further. Imagine you're an autist
woman navigating a workplace that doesn't understand sensory overload, executive dysfunction,

(09:07):
or the need for a quiet space to recharge. Now
throw in the lack of diversity initiatives, and it feels
like you're constantly trying to swim upstream. Against a current
that's only getting stronger. It's not just frustrating, it's disheartening.
But here's where we flip the script. Recognizing the importance

(09:29):
of these diversity initiatives is the first step. These programs
advocate for accommodations, raise awareness, and push for policies that
make workplaces accessible to everyone. Whether it's flexible hours, sensory
friendly environments, or understanding managers. These initiatives are crucial for

(09:50):
our success and well being. So the importance of diversity
initiatives for neurodiversent individuals it can't be overstated. They aren't
just about TI boxes. They're about creating spaces where we
can show up as our authentic selves and actually thrive.
And that, FEFAM, is worth fighting for. All right, stay tuned,

(10:12):
because up next we're diving into the tangled web of
healthcare challenges, especially with Medicaid cuts on the horizon. Stick around,
you won't want to miss it, all right, FEMFAM, Let's
dive into a critical issue that's hitting us where it hurts,
healthcare challenges, specifically Medicaid cuts and disability support reductions. Yep,

(10:37):
it's as grim as it sounds, but hey, you know,
I've got to keep it real with you all. Medicaid
isn't just some bureaucratic term. We're talking about lifelines here.
For many autistic women. Medicaid isn't just health insurance. It's
access to therapies, medications, and the functional tools we need
to get through the day. We're talking about everything from

(10:58):
speech therapy to specialized medications that help manage conditions like
anxiety and depression. Without Medicaid, a lot of us would
be scrambling just to keep our heads above water. Now,
let's throw some stats into the mix, because you know
I love my numbers. According to the CDC, autistic adults

(11:20):
are three times more likely to experience chronic health conditions
like anxiety, depression, and epilepsy. Three times more likely, folks,
that's not a minor discrepancy. That's a full blown, flashing
neon sign that says help needed, tak KUTTINGCTIS. And yet

(11:41):
policies like Medicaid cuts treat it like it's a little
drizzle when really it's a torrential downpour. Here's the kicker.
Expecting us to figure it out without these support systems
is ludicrous. You wouldn't tell someone with a broken leg
to just get up and walk right, So why is
it any different for us? We need these services to function,

(12:04):
to manage our health and to live our lives. Taking
them away isn't just inconvenient, it's dangerous. Imagine this, You're
trying to manage sensory overload, executive dysfunction, and maybe even
chronic health conditions. Now add on the stress of losing
access to Medicaid and the essential services it covers. It's

(12:26):
like playing a game of Djenga where every piece you
pull out makes everything more unstable, and yet you're expected
to keep the tower from falling. Spoiler, it's going to
come crashing down. So, my fem fam, the bottom line
here is simple. Medicaid cuts and disability support reductions aren't

(12:49):
just budget tweaks. They're life altering changes that make an
already tough situation nearly impossible. And that's something we need
to fight against tooth and nail. Stay tuned because in
our next segment we're going to talk about actionable steps
we can take to advocate for ourselves and push back

(13:10):
against these harmful policies. You won't want to miss it,
all right, We've tackled some heavy stuff today. But now
it's time to talk action. How can we fight back
against these policies that make life even harder for us.
Let's get into it because our voices matter and it's
time to make some noise. Autistic style of course. First up,

(13:33):
let's talk about calling your representatives. Yeah, I know, it's
basically the ninth circle of hell for most of us
on the spectrum, but it's worth it. These policymakers need
to hear from us. Let them know you're watching, you're voting,
and you're not okay with these harmful policies. Grab a script,
practice a few times and make that call. It might

(13:56):
be uncomfortable, but our discomfort is far less than the
suffering caused by the policies we're fighting against. Next, support
organizations that advocate for autistic women and neurodivergent folks. Groups
like the Autistic Women and non Binary Network are doing
incredible work. They push for legislation that supports our needs

(14:19):
and provide resources that can make a world of difference.
They need our help, whether it's through donations, volunteering, or
just spreading the word about their mission. We're stronger together
and supporting these organizations amplifies all our voices. Finally, share
your story. I can't stress this enough. Whether it's on

(14:41):
social media, in a blog post, or just with a friend,
your story matters. The more we speak up, the harder
it is for anyone to ignore us. Let's make some
noise with facts, figures, and a healthy dose of sas.
Our experiences are valid, our challenges are real, and our
voices deserve to be heard. So let's light up those

(15:02):
social media feeds and get talking. Remember, femfam, we're not powerless.
We have the ability to make change, no matter how
small it might seem. Every call, every shared story, and
every bit of support for advocacy groups adds up. So
let's take this fight head on and show the world
what neurodivergent folks are made of. Resilience, intelligence, and a

(15:26):
whole lot of heart. Stay tuned because we're wrapping things
up with some final thoughts in just a moment. That's
a wrap for today's episode. You've been listening to fem
on the Spectrum with yours truly, Elizabeth. We've covered a
lot of ground today, from the mind boggling new executive
order at the presidential inauguration to the grim realities of

(15:49):
Project twenty twenty five's impact on reproductive rights, the rollback
of workplace protections, and the scary terrain of Medicaid utts
and healthcare challenges. Heavy stuff, but oh so important. If
you missed any of the links or articles we mentioned,
make sure to check out the show notes. They're all

(16:11):
there waiting for you. Most importantly, remember to stay fabulous,
stay informed, and stay unapologetically yourselves. Thank you for tuning in.
Your support means the world to me, and together we
can make a difference. So keep advocating, keep sharing your stories,
and keep making noise. Until next time, I'm Elizabeth and

(16:33):
this has been Femme on the spectrum. Catch you later.
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