Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre’s response to the Victorian Government’s inquiry into women's pain

La Trobe University’s Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (OTARC) highlights the increased prevalence of chronic pain among Autistic women and girls, who face unique challenges in obtaining diagnosis and treatment. Barriers such as difficulties navigating healthcare systems, miscommunication with clinicians, and the financial burden of care contribute to their lower quality of life. The submission calls for the development of tailored, evidence-based guidelines. OTARC recommends integrating Autistic voices into pain care policies, funding research specific to Autistic women, and improving healthcare professional training to better address their needs.