Asperger syndrome in women: A different set of challenges?
A young woman who participated for several years in a social group for adults with high functioning autism and Asperger syndrome in our center sponsored TEACHH in Asheville, said recently: "There are many women who have Asperger's or autism.
Author Catherine Faherty http://www.autismtoday.com/articles/Aspergers_in_Women.htm
Translation by: Ana G. Carbajal
A young woman who participated for several years in a social group for adults with high functioning autism and Asperger syndrome in our center sponsored TEACHH in Asheville, said recently: "There are many women who have Asperger's or autism. Most are men, and even move with them, there are some aspects that they will never understand. I would like more specific information for women with autism. " Your comment gave rise to the beginning of the first group of women in TEACHH Center of Asheville. In talking to this girl, who is twenty years, I came to mind my own entry into adulthood. I remember the great camaraderie and support of the "emerging consciousness-raising groups of women" that abounded on campus and dining in the 60 and 70. As we struggled and were demanding gender equality in society, found there were significant differences
had to be taken into account. Together we explore and define what was "being a woman" in the company of other young women seeking their own identity. Being a member of a group of women "emerging awareness" was enlightening, exciting, exciting, relevant .. and not at all boring.
According to Tony Attwood and other professionals in the field, women with high-functioning autism syndrome and Asperger's can be a segment of population misdiagnosed (or undiagnosed). If so, we must be attributed to gender differences in some of the reasons this happens.
Are these behaviors in girls with Asperger's, but not in boys, who have not yet been identified as part of the profile ... or there is some gender-related behavior that might lead us to exclude the diagnosis? What about the "fiction and simulation game" that has been observed in many girls at our center, which apparently seems to be quite creative and imaginative?. It seems that there are many girls (in the spectrum) who fantasize princes realms of fantasy Unicorns and animals. How many accounts diagnosticadotes have these interests and skills such as imagination, and exclude the diagnosis based on these behaviors? Could it be this interest in imaginary kingdoms and talking animals more common among girls than among boys, although there are other symptoms with autism or Asperger?.
And what's a typical answer to the confusion or frustration, such as kicking or other off-key expressions of frustration, "Do you see more of this kind of behavior in children with autism than girls? Is it confusion or frustration simply easier to identify in boys than girls because we seek?. Among people in general, is commonly accepted that the kids are acting "out of tune" more often than girls (it is common to hear teachers complain that too many kids in your class and its impact on personality class). Is it easier to identify children with autism because these behaviors are more obvious, that girls may experience withdrawal, passive signs of aggression?.
professionals whose task is to diagnose individuals with autism or Asperger's need to learn more about the wide range of qualities and personality differences specific to girls and women spectrum.
What about the way to understand themselves of these girls and women?. Indeed, some women with Asperger's with whom I worked spoke of the unique discoveries that they experienced to be a "minority" in this particular group of society.
I believe that to achieve self-understanding, each person with (or without) autism needs to see your own reflection in the world. I call it "see the place of one." For people with autism or Asperger syndrome, who are already making discoveries in this field, it is essential to find, read, speak and learn from other people with autism. What happens as a result of this meeting, is that they are able to see their "reflection" and better understand their own unique style of thinking and being. Women with autism, but benefit greatly from meeting other people with autism often feel they could be the only women (or one of very few women) of the group.
When asked women we saw in our center if they would be interested in participating in a women's group had hoped the group would cover a gap in our services. Also hoped to learn more about what it means to be an autistic woman. The more I met with these women, the more I realized the long road that we had to go to understand the findings women who experienced only with autism or Asperger Syndrome.
One woman explained that, from their point of view, there was a subtle interplay between two aspects: issues related to autism spectrum problems are combined with expectations towards women: what looks like, how they dress, how they are supposed that social relations, natural empathy that is supposed to have with other women, expectations about commitment and marriage .. ". Women are affected by autism in the same way that they are their male counterparts, yet have a double challenge the prejudices that society imposes added females.
At risk of sounding stereotypical, any man who thinks rationally and not emotionally in relation to others, is often seen as having a "typical male behavior." A woman who has the same personality traits can be described as strange, amazing, laugh, or depending on the situation, even malicious. Autism, with its particular personality BOUT effects, causes one seems more rational and less emotionally communicative and empathetic toward others. Women with autism suggest that these expectations can actually be even greater weight on them just because they are women.
At its first meeting group members sought specific topics of discussion were issues in everyday life or those who had habitually. These issues included aspects that were relevant to women, as important as personal safety, commitment and sex, whether they are taking advantage of you when, for example, you have to take your car to a repair. Other aspects that were played were thought to possibly more significant for women with autism, but common to all, as being pressured to worry about marriage, for "behaving like a lady" and aspects of one's appearance as having to pretend a certain style.
However, there are issues that all agree that were the direct result of being a woman with autism, such as common expectations and social behavior. Topping the list were the expectations of being sensitive to others and show empathy.
Women with autism said they felt that they expected more from those of their male counterparts simply because of their gender. Group members thought that these expectations to be sensitive and empathetic, typically attributed to women, were rare and hard to find. The discussion focused on how these behaviors require skills like the ability to read and respond appropriately to body language, along with the inherent desire to "take care of others emotionally." It was interesting that, after discussing these issues, the first issue to be asked to try was learning to read body language and how someone is trying to take advantage of you.
The issue that generated the most emotional response of the group was the personal experience of being "treated like a child." Parents, generally, were more protective of their daughters than with their children. The children with autism reported feeling overprotected as adults. In some cases, this is necessary, but without understanding the perspective of parents, adult child can feel treated like a baby. Some women spoke of resentment they felt about people who for years had tried to teach them ways of acting "socially appropriate." "Enough!" was the common response.
The desire to be respected as an individual and as a woman, was expressed clearly and forcefully. Although this desire is probably equally desired by adult males with autism and Asperger syndrome, women expressed their wishes clearly, with deep emotion and passion, to talk to other women.
Catherine Faherty Personal note: I want to thank the members of this group gave me permission to disseminate this information. This reveals to those who live and work with autistic women a new perspective on how we think and act on their disability. I applaud and encourage other women with autism and those who care to join women's groups to support, encourage and, in the words of one member of the group, "understand, thanks to partners like
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