Best Information On Asperger’s Syndrome in Women & Girls, Dr Tony Attwood Adds To Aspergers, An Autism Spectrum Disorder

Looking for best information on ASD and females? Dr Tony Attwood has been a major contributor to the debate in Asperger's Syndrome in women and girls. This Aspergers, an autism spectrum disorder, has been underestimated in females. In the past women and girls have been undiagnosed and mis-diagnosed in this field of autism.

The term autism spectrum disorder sounds like a beautiful array of colour, however, there lies within its spectrum Asperger’s syndrome.

Predominately thought of as a condition for boys and men, more and more research is finding that women and girls are a hidden sub-culture within the fold of the rainbow.

There is a lost generation that, amongst others, Dr Attwood has identified in his book ‘Asperger’s and Girls’. This article is one of three in this series focusing on Asperger’s syndrome in women and girls.

-* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--*

World Of Autism A-Store

My A-Store is cram-packed full of great specialist information and products especially picked and recommended by me to you!

Why not treat yourself to a better autistic understanding by clicking:

• World of Autism

-* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--*

Dr Tony Attwood, specialist in this field, is the author of the popular book 'Asperger's and Girls'. In this he discusses in more detail the issues surrounding this lost sub-culture of women and girls who have gone without diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome.

Tony explains in his book, that for women and girls who have Asperger’s syndrome, medical professionals have missed femles who should have had diagnosis. He compares past statistics with reality.

It was originally thought that only 1 girl to every 4 boys were affected with autism - predominately a male syndrome. However, Dr Attwood thinks the ratio is more likely to be 2 to 1. He also suggests that in his experience this is not just about children but adults too.

He also highlights that when women in maturity, particularly if they have had a child who has been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, they have also identified themselves. Reflection is a great thing when they have always thought they were different from a young age.

-* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--*

Dr Attwood suggests that there is very little training given to clinical psychologists in the field of women, girls and Asperger’s syndrome. It seems that when they do get a formal diagnosis, it comes as from an underlying symptom during their teens or 20’s. Two examples of symptoms are depression and/or anorexia. It seems that the symptom, therefore, brings about the medical attention followed by the diagnosis or cause – ie. Asperger’s syndrome.

Girls are very good at hiding their social problems – considering that they use both sides of their brain, they compensate for the Asperger’s syndrome greatly. This makes them hidden from diagnosis. They may hide in books and steep themselves in a world of imagination to escape the confusing world of social interaction.

-* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--*

Girls with Asperger’s syndrome are vulnerable to sexual predators. In their world of confusing social conflict, they find it difficult to read the subtle body language and understand when they could be in danger. The inability to pick up on social cues can leave them open to potential abuse, especially when they are social isolates and do not have the benefit of protection within a peer group.

The inability to understand jokes from seriousness can lead to bullying and teasing. Peers will tend to intuitively know that there is something not quite right by the responses of her. Girls with Asperger’s syndrome may have problems with groups of other girls, in fashion and boyfriend relationships for example, which might lead to creating imaginative friends to elevate the loneliness that might be felt. This has a huge impact on self-esteem.

-* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--*

They are likely to only have one friend at a time – that is all they may be able to cope with – however that precious relationship is the be all and end all. There is a huge amount of loyalty and it can be quite intense. With this comes guidance, support and protection – an Asperger’s girlfriend is one that truly and deeply loves you.

-* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--*

The world, for a girl with Asperger’s syndrome, can be a frightening and isolating one. Women that have gone through life undiagnosed have struggled. Women and girls may be slightly paranoid and deeply analytical. The only consolation is that which comes from a great wealth of imagination – it is here that women and girls find retreat. Yes, this is a form of escape, but then we all have to learn coping mechanism in order to combat fear. This philosophy Dr Attwood would agree with. Autism spectrum disorder would require an imagination that goes far beyond the rainbow! Want to know more? Why don't you read a personal account from an undiagnosed Aspie woman by clicking on the following article: Autism Spectrum Disorder:: Asperger’s Syndrome:: Undiagnosed Women.

.© This work is covered under Creative Commons License

-* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--*

References:

Tony Attwood, Asperger’s and Girls

Have you got a story? Why Not Write It and GET PAID!

For anyone who wants to bring out the writer in them and earn a bit of dosh at the same time, why not join hubpages!

Just click here and follow the links!

Disclaimer

Use this article at your own risk. This article does not give legal opinions or advice.  Any action or outcome that may result from this article is the sole responsibility of the reader.  This article is assumes no responsibility or legal claim against it.