Aspergirls

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Today I bought a book by Rudy Simone called 'Aspergirls: Empowering Females with Asperger Syndrome.' As a self-diagnosed AS female, I am finding it quite interesting, although I have one or two reservations, which aren't really important. I was wondering if anyone else has read this book or any of Simone's books, and what you thought of it/them.

I've considered purchasing it and some other books but at about $20 a piece I can't afford them right now. Let me know what you think I'm curious.

It's very interesting, and a lot of it has me sitting there wondering how the hell no-one has ever thought this might be what's going on with me. There were one or two issues where I felt that the author might have a slight agenda, but I might be reading too much into things. But for the most part, it's quite a prophetic thing. It does also make me quite angry, because I feel that I've had to endure so much and had quite a terrible time (issues with my father intermingled with issues at school, and I was a bit damaged and then I had what you could call a breakdown at uni and got incorrectly diagnosed with bipolar), and I feel as though so much could have been better for me. Then again, it might not have been. But it's a very interesting book, so I'd definitely recommend it.

It sounds interesting. One question ... is "Rudy Simone" male?

Nope, she's female.

I like her Aspergers on the Job book. It was really good and filled with useful information. I want to read it again, as I'm currently job hunting for a second job.

This seems interesting! I, too, am a female with Asperger's (as well as a feminist), and if it is girl empowerment and about Asperger's rolled into a book, I'm reading it.

Now I'm really interested in it as well! As a Women's Studies major and aspie (officially diagnosed, albeit halfway through college when they finally figured it out) I think that sounds like an awesome book.

However, before I purchase anything...what were your reservations or other issues with it?

I think I was mainly bothered from a personal point of view, and it was regarding the very occasional 'religious' overtone, and also in terms of when the book discussed finding suitable role models. But the pros of this book definitely outweigh those 'cons' I just outlined - also, the fact that I'm quite cynical when it comes to the social side of AS (in other words, I'm not really bothered about socialising/relationships etc). But I would say this book is invaluable.

Fantastic! I just got a $100 Barnes and Noble gift certificate from my parents and think this would be the perfect opportunity to start using it!

One thing I just remembered is that the book proposes that in ASD, the commonly-perceived 'lack of empathy' and similar traits are not actually that, but rather related to sensory overload. I can't remember exactly what else it said, all I know is that I read it and thought "hmmm." Sorry, I'm not the most coherent person when it comes to translating what goes on in my brain.

That sounds possible to me. I empathise very strongly with animals, much more so than humans. I sometimes feel things so acutely (like the pain of an animal in a puppy mill) that I have to shut down or meltdown.

I think I will get this book, and maybe pass it on to my mother. She's retired teacher/administrator and thinking of going into tutoring. I think she would be a fantastic tutor for a girl with AS -- doesn't hurt that she brought one up, and unlike many NTs, she is forthright. She really says what she means, very clearly. I think she could be tremendously helpful not just with school subjects, but social navigation skills as well! Thanks for mentioning this book. AS too often goes unremarked in girls; we learn to mask so young!

New to WP, and just found this thread. My library doesn't carry this book, but Amazon does. It's only $12.89 there if anyone is interested.

Overall I loved the book. Its the first time I ever read a book that I felt was talking about me, it was amazing. I read the Aspergers and Girls book and I didnt get the same feeling: I didnt like the picture of aspie girls this book depicted. But aspergirls I felt it was so on point for many things in my life and it really helped me put things into perspective. Of course it was 100% relevant to me.

My reservations of the book was yes the religious overtones. Her lack of scientific basis for some of what she was saying. She seemed to state too confidently the cause of autism which was because of gastrointestinal problems? And she said some BS about that aspergirls were phychic.

I purchased this book along with several other books on Aspergers right after I was officially diagnosed.

No book is going to get a "OMG, that is my life exactly!" response, but it was a relief to read the viewpoint of a woman with AS. I haven't read Temple Grandin's books yet.

Planning on reading this again, I definitely recommend this for any AS female who needs to know they aren't alone.

Adults with Asperger's seem kind of ignored as it is, it feels like it is more so as an adult woman with AS.

Just my opinion.

Sensory overload certainly makes it harder for me to read people or know how to respond appropriately. I think there's more to it, but I suspect it has little to do with any nonsense like "missing social modules" and more to do with how autistic people process information.