Female Aspie traits are too broad

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When I read about female aspie traits I think they could describe almost any girl. Especially sensitive or quirky girls. They probably describe female aspies well because female aspies are girls.

I agree.

Happy Mother's Day, Screen Name

probably because there still hasnt been that much research into how aspergers and the autism spectrum in general has a tendency to present different in girls.

testosterone and a stronger dominancy of the left brain are two associated traits of males that affect the presentation of autism so this coud possibly explain why high functioning autistic females especialy; act visibly less obvious in terms of agression, challenging behavior, aloofness,asocial etc.

It's considered sexist to describe women on unfriendly terms, although I was thinking of the other side of the spectrum.

NT ones are sometimes thuggish, too popular, or jingoisitc.

I don't usually see sensitive or quirky girls, unless I'm in an offbeat place.

As best I can tell, I tend to like a more cerebral sort of girl, and I believe there is a difference between NT and AS.

it's not considered sexist to describe women on "unfriendly" terms (whatever that means), unless one is saying something like "women are (some perceived negative trait)" which implies the entire group of all women--it is considered sexist to describe all women as if they were a collective of identical automatons rather than an extremely diverse group of individuals. it's not only sexist to describe all women in such ways--it's also ignorant, inaccurate, and a tendency that is far too prevalent on this forum......and it's bloody obnoxious.

I agree that the lists of "female AS traits" that you find when you google "girls with AS" or "women with AS" are way too broad and could just describe a type of normal girls or people in general.

interesting......so its a social rule to not associate female tendencies with 'negative' traits? why woud it be ok to label males with negative HFA tendencies though?

clinicaly diagnoseable aspergers/HFA is a disability as it causes significant impairment in at least one part of a persons every day life so there is a major difference between NT and the HFA>who woud be diagnosed if assessed now,but the borderline HFA,the mild PDDNOS or the BAP person have got one foot on both sides of the neurology spectrums so they are the ones the average NT woud have trouble recognising as being spectrumy.

I have also noticed this, I think some are more specific than others, for example I read one that looked into executive functioning, how females present differently to males in that they are more likely to internalise problems they have socially which can gives rise to anxiety and depression. obsessions also tend to be less unusual than you might find in a male, such as fiction.

I cant remember what site that was, but I do agree that the majority are too generalised, for example a lot seem to mention not wearing make up or not having hair done up, or that they prefer the company of animals to people, to be honest most people I know prefer animal company and there are many reasons why someone might not bother much with their hair or do their makeup

I suppose. I only know 2 Aspie girls though... Diagnosis stuff is kind of silly after all.

I think part of why it's less obvious in girls is that girls are taught there's a high value in fitting in, and to prioritize this. Boys are not taught to prioritize or value fitting in the same way. Girls at also given more direct instruction in fitting in and being nice in western societies.

But yes, the list of female traits is very broad, I read it and seems it could include anyone. Not sure if it's too broad, or if it's pointing out how varied females with ASD are, and that we don't understand how to differentiate easily yet.

The whole left/right brain thing's been debunked.

I think that can be said about most of the traits that describe both genders. I think the difference is not in the trait itself but in the severity and frequency of the trait and how deeply it affects your life. Everyone can have all of the traits but people on the Spectrum have them in much greater degrees and frequencies. Many people who have these traits are not affected to the point where it is difficult and super challenging to live every day life. I think that is the difference.

I should clarify that these aren't my personal rules.

Usually, more on the assertive side.

For instance:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/sheryl-sandber ... d=22819181



It would now be politically incorrect to point out that a male is submissive.

^Exactly this.

I disagree, some autistic traits are rare to fairly rare in the general population. Narrow obsessions, poor motor coordination, non-responsiveness and complex motor stereotypies - the last is even a minority behaviour amongst people with autism. Also the social deficits are profound.

I think the girls who have Asperger Syndrome that are not being diagnosed are those that have been formally diagnosed with learning disabilities and some that have been diagnosed with dyspraxia aswell.

The nerd image of Asperger Syndrome should die, it's actually really unhelpful. It's not geeky girls who are more likely to be on the spectrum, it's those girls who are struggling, and probably are being ignored. Same with boys.

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