Asperger’s Syndrome (or Asperger Syndrome or AS) is a form of high functioning autism, characterized by obsessive interests and a difficulty in making friends. While commonly characterized as a “mild” form of autism, it is devastating in its own right.
Starting in the 1960s, scientists theorized that boys inherited only one male X chromosome from their mothers, but girls inherited two (one from each parent). Thus, girls do not develop AS because the extra X chromosome from their fathers somehow “protects” them from it. This premise was never successfully proven.
Today, experts are realizing that the frequency of AS in girls is much higher than previously believed. The male-to-female ratio of Asperger’s is thought to be 3-to-1, but Dr. Tony Attwood, the world’s foremost authority on Asperger’s Syndrome, maintains that there is actually much more parity between the sexes in incidence.
"Aspie" boys often appear like “little professors” who are experts in one subject, but Aspie girls are more like “little philosophers.” They often appear odd or aloof or seem to live in fantasy worlds. Typically in elementary school, they cling to a single best friend and the loss of that friend is very traumatic.
All Aspie children have problems navigating the social world. However, when boys get frustrated, they tend to act out in aggressive ways that garner adult attention. Aspie girls tend to internalize their suffering, appearing shy and passive.
Aspie girls have a facility to camouflage their social confusion and successfully mimic social behaviors. Since they do not understand how to process and express emotions in a normal way, their faces often develop a “mask-like” quality. With a permanent smile on their faces, they constantly attempt to please others.
Tragically, these “good girls” rarely get the help they need and this results in low self-esteem, depression (often clinical), vulnerability to relationship predators or living in abusive relationships, excessive weight loss or gain or selective mutism, among other things.
Girls can be identified as having Asperger’s Syndrome through their special interests and unique behaviors. The diagnosis is a point of liberation for them to understand why they experience the world as they do and discover they are not alone.
I have to admit, this description of Asperger’s in girls rang like bell in my own life, right down to my best friend moving in fourth grade being as traumatic as a death. Having high functioning sons, I see a lot of myself in them and it inspired me to take the
autism test for adults featured on our website. I scored a “35," the typical score for someone with Asperger’s.
While it’s too late to undo all the hardships I bore as an undiagnosed girl with Asperger’s, it does bring me new clarity and peace of mind in looking back on my life. Hopefully, with new information, more girls will receive the help they need and avoid the perils of camouflaging their pain all too well.
To access the Autism Spectrum Quotient Quiz for adults, visit http://www.autismkey.com/autism-spectrum-quotient.php
It is quite interesting to find out that both boys and girls have aspergers syndrome
Definitely shatters old stereotypes!
Susan Moffitt
I hope I can use this in my attempt to find and share everything I can about us aspien females…
To use first in my own life, and hopefully later to clarify some other female aspiens questions???
Tony Atwood has written a book on girls with Asperger’s and also produced a DVD on the topic. His website is http://www.tonyattwood.com.au/
I’m sure you’d get lots of information and comfort from hearing what he has to say.
Good luck, and thanks for writing…Susan Moffitt
OMG!!! gave me chills and I almost cried reading this… though, with my clinical research background, there is a new caveat … and I canot reveal it until I graduate… it is the key to Why the differences And similiarity in behaviors in boys and gifrls … we need to Stop putting Blue hats onboys and pink hats on girl … the “reason” Doctors back inthe day did this makes me “Sick”… the whole scientific realm of yesterday did so much “experimentation” and resulting Damage to but we have Miracle Human Beings, living, breathing, Finally starting to thrive, Like Me, today…. all I can do is Pray, and Never give up on Me, no matter what They or snayone Says… I don’t Care what anyone says Any More, Today! TY for this site/blog … one of the Best
We girls were definitely socialized in a way that rendered us self effacing at best.
The good news is it’s never to late to come into your own.
Good Luck, Susan Moffitt
thank you. it will help me a lot! I have this disorder.
I’m glad you found it useful. You might check out http://www.tonyattwood.com.au/
Dr. Attwood’s one of my heroes.
I’m a 16-year-old girl, I was diagnosed at 14, unfortunately it was too late to solve the problems of the bullying, alienation, and teasing, as I’d been bullied from kindergarten-7th grade, but I feel much better about myself knowing that none of it was truly my fault and that there are others who understand what I went through and why I am the way I am
I’m glad the diagnosis brought you solace and self-appreciation. Aspies are
awesome…
Thank you for this article. This sounds a lot like myself growing up too. I also enjoyed the quiz that you linked, I ended up with a 30, so it’s nice to see possible reasons behind, “you’re just shy”.
You are most welcome. It’s nice to have new insight into yourself, isn’t it?
It came as something of a relief to me.
Loved your article. Especially the “little philosopher” description – perfect! It is so true what you said about, “it does bring me new clarity and peace of mind in looking back on my life.”
I feel like I don’t have to beat myself up anymore for any AS trait I’ve had all my life that I’ve been trying to “correct” or think I should be doing “differently.”
I am 38 and just discovered that the lens I view the world through is called Aspergers. Such a validation for me and I am enjoying reading the stories from others.
Thank you.
Lori, your comment was very poignant to me. Thanks for writing.
Susan
Normally I don’t read article on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very pressured me to check out and do so! Your writing taste has been surprised me. Thanks, quite great post.
Thank you. I’m glad you liked it..
This article descibes my growing up years prefectly. I have endured a lifetime of being misunderstood and bullied and my differences growing up were considered to be behavioral. Because o how people reacted to me, I internalized it all and entered into adulthood with lifelong emotional baggage that follows me to this day. If my daughter had not been diagnosed with PDD-NOS, I would still be an enigma to myself. While I’m thrileed that her outcome will probably be far better than mine, a formal diagnosis would be super, but I have no access to it.
I know what you mean. Seeing so much of myself in my sons was a real eye-opener, then reading the particular profile of girls sealed the deal.
As for accessing a formal diagnosis, I would start with any autism organizations or centers in your area.
Good luck.
Thank you very much, Susan. I have been doing that. In January, when my new health insurance kicks in, I plan to contact neurologists in my area and see if any of them will screen me for autism.
On another note, I have a blogspot and a post there about autism, which is called “What is Autism?” My blogspot can be found at:
http://ldeherl.blogspot.com
That’s great about your insurance. And I will check out your blog.
Best,
Susan
Thank you very much, Susan!
Have you heared the fraise: “Asperger’s syndrome is a gift, autism is a burden”.. I think it’s the best comparison of autism and asperger’s syndrome..
You may read more in my blog by the way
I strongly believe that my 7yr old daughter has AS – she was previously identified as a GnT child, but her behaviour is so typical of so many Aspie traits – and she’s always been shy, quite introverted, has faeries that visit her. Her teacher refuses to have her properly assessed because the teacher has worked with AS children, and mine doesn’t ‘display the diagnostic traits in the classroom’. So frustrating!
can you go around her or over her head? you could see if there’s another avenue to have her evaluated.
My local Touchpoint Autism Services evaluates adults for autism spectrum disorders. But since they ask for a flat $400 fee before granting a psychological assessment appointment, I have applied to the Modest Needs Foundation for a grant so I can get the assessment. I don’t know if they will fund it and they have not promised that they can make that happen. And my mom is not happy that I want to get myself checked out and wants me to drop the idea. I refuse to drop it. I won’t stop until I can somehow make this happen. It may not change my circumstances but it will give me answers which I have been looking for for so long.
I admire and respect you and hope your mother will join me in that appreciation. Knowledge is power. Knowing more about yourself can’t help but help.