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Izzie07
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29 Aug 2007, 11:51 pm

What's "extreme male" theory in autism? I happen to read it somewhere but there was no description about it. Anyone know?



BenJ
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30 Aug 2007, 2:16 am

I think it is the theory that autism is a representation of extreme "male" behaviour eg. anti socialism and logial thinking are associated with what society considers to be the male personality type. Those who support the theory would say that this is why less girls and women have autism/aspergers. I think Simon Baron-Cohen might have been the one who coined the expression.

I personally dont believe this at all. I think that the effects of AS/autism in girls are different and less recognisable, at least in terms of how professionals are trained to picture autism. I think the ratio of autism in boys and girls is a lot more more equal between the sexes than most documentation would have us believe. Also I dont associate personality with one's gender.


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mmaestro
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30 Aug 2007, 12:54 pm

I think it's a reasonable idea badly expressed. There certainly seems to be evidence that ASDs are at least in part because of increased levels of testosterone, the "male" hormone, so that's an easily digestible way of putting it, but it glosses over so many subtleties that I don't think it's useful in anything other than throwaway conversation.


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richardbenson
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30 Aug 2007, 6:08 pm

thats why most girls with AS really look like dudes



Todd489
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30 Aug 2007, 6:12 pm

richardbenson wrote:
thats why most girls with AS really look like dudes


That's a ridiculous and unfounded statement.



richardbenson
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30 Aug 2007, 6:15 pm

are you gonna get upset? because im not. its called an opinion son



TrueDave
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02 Sep 2007, 11:47 pm

You can look up the definition in "Solutions for Aspergers"
It basically sounds hard to spot. Like an AL Bundy.
Self centered, ignorant of anothers feelings, unconcerned with social norms like apperence etc.
A point the book makes is mthe difference between AS and a regular inept guy, is the inept guy actually chooses to be this way.
A lot of people seem to have trouble swallowing that AS is legit and not an exuse to get away with thier behaviour. There's some really moving testimonials on You Tube.
Personally I know I'd have a hard time believing someone had this if I did'nt have it myself, and even then it took a lot of factual convincing.
And the noise irritations are hard to ignore.



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03 Sep 2007, 9:18 am

It is a simplification to say testosterone is male hormone. Beside it depends if you are talking during gestation or what. You can have perfectly normal hormone levels now.



sepia
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06 Sep 2007, 4:21 pm

richardbenson wrote:
thats why most girls with AS really look like dudes


well, cheers big ears!

maybe if we wore a ton of make up like good little 'normal' girls then we'd not look like dudes in your addled mind. on second thoughts, perhaps i'd rather not.

(yes, from your usual style of posting i am fairly sure that you are being amusing)



sinsboldly
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06 Sep 2007, 8:44 pm

richardbenson wrote:
thats why most girls with AS really look like dudes


this from a guy that has his choice of women .. . :roll:



richardbenson
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07 Sep 2007, 10:18 am

yes. let me call up my b*****s right now and have lots of meaningless sex


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0_equals_true
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07 Sep 2007, 11:01 am

Of course they never ask you for anything in return. They just happen to find to walking around :lol:



richardbenson
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07 Sep 2007, 12:23 pm

Oh snap snap. i forgot to take out my grill made out of a wrigleys gum wrapper and it accidently came off my teef and then she knew i wasnt a 8th street vato! she then told me to bounce up on outta her crib son!!

Holla back at yer boy!


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07 Sep 2007, 1:36 pm

Izzie07 wrote:
What's "extreme male" theory in autism? I happen to read it somewhere but there was no description about it. Anyone know?


It's a theory by Simon Baron-cohen, that men tend to be more interested in systems, women more in empathizing, and that autism is an extreme bias towards systemizing. You should find more either on Baron-Cohen's web site, or if you search for his publications.



sinsboldly
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08 Sep 2007, 8:04 am

Gromit wrote:
Izzie07 wrote:
What's "extreme male" theory in autism? I happen to read it somewhere but there was no description about it. Anyone know?


It's a theory by Simon Baron-cohen, that men tend to be more interested in systems, women more in empathizing, and that autism is an extreme bias towards systemizing. You should find more either on Baron-Cohen's web site, or if you search for his publications.


I found it interesting that men tended to 'fight or flight' and women to 'tend and befriend' in answer to perceived threats. I am an aspie woman and always tended towards 'fight and flight,' my self, surprising many.