COMMENTARY
Reeda Iqbal, BA
Corresponding Author: Reeda Iqbal, BA; Georgetown School of Medicine.
Email: ri149@georgetown.edu
DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2025.250241R1
Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Communication Aids for Disabled, Family Medicine, Health Services Accessibility, Papapinicolaou Test, Primary Health Care, Reproductive Health Services, Women’s Health
Dates: Submitted: 06-26-2025; Revised: 07-28-2025; Accepted: 09-02-2025
Status: Volume 39, Issue 1 (Publishes March 2026)
Autistic women face significant disparities in reproductive healthcare including receiving lower rates of Pap smears and HPV vaccinations. This commentary explores how widespread gaps in primary and gynecologic care exacerbate reproductive health inequities for this population. Drawing on peer-reviewed literature, national guidelines, and personal insight as a medical student and sibling to a profoundly autistic woman, this piece identifies widespread gaps in clinical training and practice. Key themes include low clinician training, limited use of communication accommodations, and the absence of neurodiversity-affirming care guidelines. Barriers to provider preparedness are discussed alongside coordinated solutions, such as collaboration between medical institutions, advocacy organizations, and accrediting bodies to implement longitudinal, evidence-based training across medical education. This editorial calls on professional organizations to adopt neurodiversity-affirming training into clinical guidelines, medical education, and residency curricula. Closing these gaps is essential to ensuring that all patients, regardless of neurodevelopmental profile, receive equitable reproductive healthcare.