Amazing Autistic Women

Women and Nonbinary People on the Autism Spectrum:

Whether someone identifies as Autistic, on the autism spectrum, neurodivergent, or simply by their name, what matters most is honoring how they choose to self-identify.

This evolving list highlights Autistic women and nonbinary individuals who are using their voices, creativity, and advocacy to make a meaningful difference in the world.

For many Autistic mothers, a formal diagnosis didn’t come until after their child was identified as being on the spectrum. Some also parent neurotypical or otherwise neurodivergent children. While every journey is unique, these lived experiences often fuel deep insight and compassion—leading many to educate, write, speak out, and support others walking similar paths.

As you get to know more women and nonbinary people in the Autistic community, you may notice a shared desire to lift others up through storytelling, advocacy, and authentic connection. You might even find pieces of your own story reflected in theirs.

A note on language:

While many individuals on this list use she/her pronouns, others identify as nonbinary. We’ve included both women and nonbinary voices here to honor the impact of their work and reflect inclusive values held by organizations like the Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network.

This is an alphabetical listing by last name. 

• Julia Bascom –  Former Executive Director, Autism Self Advocacy Network. – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_Bascom
• Dani Bowman – Founder, DaniMation Entertainment, Award Winning Animation Producer. – https://danibowman.com/
• Corina Lynn Becker – Fantasy Writer, Webcom Artist, Blogger at http://nostereotypeshere.blogspot.com/
• Susan Boyle – Scottish singer, Gained fame on Britain’s Got Talent – https://www.facebook.com/susanboyle/
• Jenny Bristol – Editor-in-Chief of GeekMom.com and an editor at GeekDad.com. Gen-X author and freelance writing nerd. Writes A Day in Our Lives – Autistic Adults in the Real World series for Spectrum Life Magazine. 
• Lydia X.Z. Brown – Asian-American Autistic and Disability Rights Activist,  LGBTQ Activist, Speaker, Blogger – https://lydiaxzbrown.com/
• Rebecca Burgess – Full-time autistic illustrator who identifies as asexual. Their comics have been featured in The Guardian, and they love telling stories. Illustrates A Day in Our Lives – Autistic Adults in the Real World series for Autism Empowerment and Spectrum Life Magazine. https://www.rebeccaburgess.co.uk/
• Jennifer Cook (formerly Jennifer O’Toole) – Author of multiple books in the Asperkids series. Consultant, Love on the Spectrum. https://www.jennifercookauthor.com/
• Sharon DaVanport – Executive Director, Autistic Women and Nonbinary Network
• Paula C. Durbin-Westby – Disability Rights Activist – paulacdurbinwestbyautisticblog.blogspot.com
• Judy Endow, MSW, LCSW – Author, Speaker. Provides consultations in Madison, Wisconsin for families, school districts and other agencies.  www.judyendow.com
• Dr. Natalie Engelbright – Naturopathic doctor, registered psychotherapist. Founder of Embrace Autism, a resource site for adults based in Canada. 
• Karla Fisher – Advocate, founder of Karla’s ASD Page, 2012 GRASP DSM winner, published in Different, Not Less
• Tanya English – Latina Autistic Advocate, Board Member at Autism Empowerment and Editorial Advisory Board Member at Spectrum Life Magazine. Featured in A Day in the Life of Autistic Adults series. https://www.spectrumlife.org/blog/a-day-in-the-life-of-tanya-english
• Karyl Frankiewicz – Miss Native American USA 2018-2019, Autistic and Native American advocate. Featured on cover and in the Winter 2018 issue of Spectrum Life Magazine.
• Morenike Giwa-Onaiwu, Autism and Race Committee Chair, Autism Women’s Network, Blogger at Just Being Me… Who Needs “Normalcy” Anyway?
• Temple Grandin, PhD– Author of multiple books, Advocate, Speaker. An HBO movie was made about her life – www.templegrandin.com
• Amy Gravino – Autism Consultant and College Coach, A.S.C.O.T. Consulting – AmyGravino.com
• Carol Greenburg – Autistic adult, mother of mostly nonspeaking autistic artist and athlete in his early twenties. She is a non-attorney advocate for disabled people and co-editor of Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism
• Daryl Hannah – American Film Actress – https://darylhannah.com/
• Liane Holliday Willey, PhD – Author of multiple books, Advocate, Speaker – linkedin.com/in/aspienews2707/
• Karen Krejcha – Founder & Executive Director, Autism Empowerment. Editor, Spectrum Life Magazine. Podcaster, poet, writer, and public speaker. Former professional bowler. – https://linktr.ee/karenkrejcha
• Gwyn LaRee – Professional actor and voice over performer. Marine Corps veteran. Program Lead AE Neurodivergent Creators Collective. – https://linktr.ee/GwynLaRee
• Anita Lesko – CEO of Born with Aspergers, Author, Blogger – https://anitalesko.com/
• Haley Moss – Attorney, contemporary American pop art artist, author, and advocate for people with disabilities. https://haleymoss.com/
• Sarai Pahla – Doctor, translator, and self-advocate from South Africa. https://saraipahla.com/
• Kaelynn Partow – Autistic self-advocate, therapist, and professional speaker. Participant in Love on the Spectrum. https://www.facebook.com/AutisticAngle/
• Lyric Rivera – Autistic self-advocate and founder of the neurodiversity lifestyle blog Neurodivergent Rebel. Columnist for Spectrum Life Magazine. Creator of hashtag #AskingAutistics.
• Zoey Roberts – Advocate, runs a lot of Facebook groups, including http://www.facebook.com/groups/autismsupergroup/
• Chloe Rothschild – Advocate, Presenter, Author – https://www.chloerothschildasd.com/
• Alis Rowe – Author, blogger, weightlifter  – http://thegirlwiththecurlyhair.co.uk/
• Amy Sequenzia – Autistic Self-Advocate, Poet, blogs at www.ollibean.com and Autism Women’s Network
• Ivanova Smith – Autistic & Developmental Disability Self-Advocate. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivanova-smith-70aa0711a/
• Greta Thunberg – Swedish autistic climate justice activist – www.facebook.com/gretathunbergsweden/
• Helen Wallace-Iles – founder of Autism All Stars Foundation UK
• Lydia Wayman – Freelance writer. Guest editor for Zoom Autism Magazine Issue #19: A Job for Everyone
• Adriana White – Librarian. Author. TEDx Speaker – https://adrianaluisawhite.wordpress.com/
• Alexis Wineman – Autism Advocate, Miss Montana 2012 – https://www.facebook.com/MissMontana2012

💡 Know someone who should be added? We welcome suggestions and updates! If you notice a broken link or know of an advocate not yet listed, please let us know.

Last updated 8/2/2025