March is Women’s History Month: a time to pause and celebrate the accomplishments, resilience, and progress of women across every field. It’s also an opportunity to reflect on the important work that still lies ahead.
One area where meaningful progress has been unfolding in recent years is the recognition and understanding of neurodivergence in women. For decades, neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and what many now refer to as AuDHD (the co-occurrence of ADHD and autism) were primarily studied and diagnosed in young boys. As a result, the diagnostic frameworks, clinical descriptions, and even cultural expectations surrounding these conditions were largely shaped by male presentations. When these conditions appeared in girls and women, they were often overlooked.
Many women learned – consciously or unconsciously – to mask their differences. They became skilled at compensating, over-functioning, and adapting to expectations around them. While this ability to camouflage symptoms can help someone navigate social and professional environments, it also contributed to a widespread problem: missed or incorrect diagnoses. Instead of receiving accurate identification of neurodivergence, many women were labeled with anxiety, depression, personality disorders, or simply told they were “too sensitive,” “disorganized,” or “not trying hard enough.”
Thankfully, this narrative is beginning to shift. Clinicians, researchers, and advocates are increasingly recognizing that neurodivergence often looks different in women. Greater awareness has led to more adults – particularly women – finally receiving the clarity of a diagnosis that helps make sense of lifelong experiences. It is incredibly meaningful to witness and contribute to this evolving understanding.
Another woman helping to move this conversation forward is Tracy Otsuka. Tracy herself was diagnosed with ADHD later in life. After successful careers in law and fashion – a path she often describes as a reflection of ADHD creativity and adaptability – she shifted her focus toward helping other women understand and embrace their neurodivergent minds.
Today, Tracy is an ADHD coach, author, and podcaster who takes a refreshingly different approach to the condition. Rather than framing ADHD strictly as a deficit or disorder, she invites women to view their brains through a more compassionate and empowering lens.
Her message challenges the familiar narrative that tells people with ADHD to simply work harder, plan better, and do more. Instead, she encourages women to recognize the unique strengths that often accompany neurodivergence – creativity, intuition, passion, curiosity, and the ability to think differently. In other words, she helps women flip the script.
Through her work, Tracy encourages ADHD women to show up authentically and develop a genuine appreciation for how their minds work. For many, this shift – from self-criticism to self-understanding – can be profoundly liberating.
As a psychiatrist, I’m always looking for thoughtful, empowering resources to share with patients. Tracy Otsuka’s work is a wonderful example of the growing movement to support women in understanding and embracing their neurodivergent brains. If you’d like to learn more about her work, you can visit her website: https://tracyotsuka.com/
During Women’s History Month, it feels especially fitting to celebrate the women who are helping reshape the conversation around neurodivergence – making space for more accurate diagnosis, greater self-compassion, and a deeper appreciation of the many ways minds can work – and in doing so, helping countless women finally feel seen, understood, and empowered.
