Fundación Miradas is a nationwide organisation established in 2013 by the Asociación Autismo Burgos, which focuses its work on providing support for the legal capacity and the defence of the rights of people with autism and their families, as well as on improving their quality of life.

Similarly, the Foundation runs variousinitiatives to promote awareness, understanding, study and research regarding people with ASD and their families.

MARÍA MERINO

My interest in raising awareness of women with autism arose in the context of the European project Autism in Pink.

PhD in Education. BA in Psychology from USAL, BA in Educational Psychology from UNED. She has been working in the field of social and communication skills intervention for people with autism since 2004.

Project lead for the “Autism in Pink” initiative at Autismo Burgos, where she identified the recommendations and needs of women with autism for the project and has since been sharing the findings as part of her commitment to raising the profile of women. She launched a working group on women and autism at AETAPI in 2016, coordinating the group’s work until 2023.

The working group produced the first guide in Spanish on the detection, diagnosis and intervention for girls, adolescents and women with autism in Spain. A quantitative study on quality of life was carried out, resulting in the publication of an article on perceived personal well-being among women with autism, those without autism and those who self-identify as autistic, which appeared in the *Journal of Autism Development* in January 2021.

She has edited the book: Women and Autism: The Hidden Identity, published in Spain by Editorial Altaria and in Argentina by the Garraghan Foundation

AINÉ ARRIBAS

It is absolutely essential to provide autistic women with a safe and welcoming space where they can learn, grow, share experiences and feel supported.

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Salamanca and a Master’s degree in Child and Adolescent Intervention.

After completing my work placement in autism, I had the opportunity to join Fundación Miradas as a project officer. Taking part in the ‘Yo mujer autista’ project has been a truly enriching experience, and I believe it is a great opportunity to reach out to those who need support.

SANDRA NIETO

“Understanding the unique role and experiences that define ‘being a woman’—and, specifically, an autistic woman—is vital to providing a better social response and creating a safe space for open communication.”

PhD in Education Sciences. Health psychologist from the UOC and graduate in Social Education from the UBU. She holds a Master’s degree in Gender Studies and Equality Policy Management from the University of Lleida and a Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology from E-Campus University (Italy).

She has worked on various projects related to gender and sexual diversity. Among other projects, she has participated in the “GaminGEE” project, which aimed to create a video game and associated guides to address sexual diversity among adolescents.

Her research interests have focused on violence against women in intimate relationships, with various publications in high-impact scientific journals and participation in numerous national and international conferences.

MARINA BASSAS

I find understanding women with autism fascinating, and supporting the development of strategies to help and empower them is essential.

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (Tarragona) and am currently studying for a Master’s degree in Neuropsychology at the UOC.

I work as a support worker at Fundación Miradas (Burgos) on the ‘Yo Mujer Autista’ project.