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Masked, Misread and Misdiagnosed: Rethinking Autism, ADHD and Mental Health in Women

Tracks
Ballroom 1
Ballroom 2
Tamborine Gallery
Monday, August 31, 2026
9:25 AM - 9:55 AM
JW Grand Ballroom

Overview

Dr Michelle Garnett MPsych(Clin) PhD MAPS FCCP


Three Key Learnings

Understand how masking, camouflaging and gendered socialisation contribute to the under identification and misdiagnosis of autistic and ADHD women. Recognise how neurodivergence in women can intersect with anxiety, depression, trauma, eating disorders and burnout, leading to diagnostic complexity within mental health settings. Identify practical strategies to improve assessment, diagnostic reasoning and gender-responsive care for neurodivergent women across clinical practice.


Speaker

Agenda Item Image
Dr Michelle Garnett PhD

Masked, Misread and Misdiagnosed: Rethinking Autism, ADHD and Mental Health in Women

Abstract

This keynote examines why autistic and ADHD women remain under identified, misdiagnosed and misunderstood across mental health settings, and what clinicians can do differently. Drawing on contemporary research, lived experience insights and clinical practice, the session explores the mechanisms that can obscure neurodivergence in women, including masking and camouflaging, gendered socialisation, internalised coping strategies, and the limitations of diagnostic frameworks that are based on male normed presentations. Attendees will leave with a clear conceptual map, sharper diagnostic reasoning, and concrete strategies to improve assessment and care for neurodivergent women.

Biography

Dr Michelle Garnett is a clinical psychologist specialising in autism, ADHD and neurodivergence, with a particular focus on mental health, late diagnosis and neurodiversity affirming practice. She is widely recognised for her work translating contemporary research into practical, accessible frameworks for clinicians, and for her leadership in improving diagnostic accuracy and care pathways for autistic and ADHD adults. Michelle provides training to psychiatrists, psychologists, GPs, allied health clinicians and service leaders across Australia and New Zealand, helping teams build gender responsive, trauma informed and sensory aware approaches to assessment and treatment. Her work integrates clinical expertise, lived experience insights and systems level thinking to shift practice in meaningful, measurable ways.
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