Recognizing Women’s Contribution to Behavioral Science
August 26th marked the anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. This change granted women the right to vote. On this day we remember to recognize the ongoing struggle for gender equality in our country.
When we reflect on the history of behavioral science and autism research, the contributions of men often dominate the conversation. However, it’s essential to recognize and celebrate the significant impact that women have made in these fields. Acknowledging their contributions is not just about giving credit where it’s due; it’s about inspiring future generations, promoting diversity of thought, and ensuring that the full scope of progress in these fields is understood. Let’s take a moment to honor the remarkable women who have shaped the future of behavioral science and autism research.
- Here at Northwest ABA, women account for 75% of our workforce.
- In the ABA field in general, women represent 85.6% of ABA therapists and 65% of BCBAs. (source).
Important Names
- Temple Grandin – An autistic researcher who was one of the first people to document insights gained from her personal experiences with autism. She has dedicated her life to advocating for Autism rights and contributed a lot to our modern understanding of autism.
- Lorna Wing – A researcher who was also mother to an autistic daughter, giving her a strong personal investment in understanding the disorder and motivating her to drive the science forward. Her work from the 70s helped recognize autism as a syndrome. Co-founder of the Lorna Wing Centre for Autism.
- Judith Gould – A widely published researcher and former clinical psychologist who has spent over 40 years pursuing a better understanding of autism and other learning disabilities. Today she focuses her practice on understanding how to diagnose autism in women and girls, a demographic that is frequently overlooked by the medical community. Co-founder of the Lorna Wing Centre for Autism and its director till 2015.
Learn More:
https://www.wimlf.org/blog/lorna-wing-judith-gould-pioneers-in-autism-research