ASPERGERS
Aspergers/Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a condition increasingly recognised and reported. It is not yet well enough researched or understood to have a clearly defined description of symptoms and other criteria, however, research to date suggests that there are many forms of this condition and that it manifests differently in men and women. Below I have listed some good reference material if you want to understand this condition better as well as a number of podcasts and interviews around the Asperger’s condition.
Online descriptions and assessments
- This Autism Speaks website link describes autism, the symptoms, signs, causes and diagnosis.
- Click here for an adult online screening assessment for Aspergers.
- Here is a suggested unofficial list of traits common to women with Aspergers and here is a description of qualities associated with women who have Aspergers.
Here are several good books, articles and podcasts on Aspergers.
- A technical reference by Tony Attwood Complete Guide to Asperger’s Syndrome
- A guide for parents of Asperger’s children by Tony Attwood Asperger’s Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals
- A practical guide for parents of children with autism More than Hope
- For Asperger’s women Divergent Mind
- Listen to Tony Attwood talk about Aspergers in children, adults and couples with Richard Fidler on ABC Conversations
- Listen to Lynne Malcolm talk about girls and women who have undiagnosed autism with Richard Fidler on ABC Conversations
- Mind and Hearts website associated with Tony Attwood provides access to services for people with Aspergers and also has a blog with information about contemporary topics
- Female autism https://www.mamamia.com.au/autism-in-women/ an article written by a psychologist who self diagnosed autism at 58 years of age,
- Hannah Gadsby female comedian with autism show Nanette/Douglas describes her experience with autism
- Watch this ten minute story of how Temple Grandin used her autistic outlook to change the cattle industry in the USA.
- This 30 minute ABC Australian Story episode interviews Grace Tame Australian of the Year 2021 at age 26. She was diagnosed with high functioning autism as an adult. She was also sexually groomed and assaulted by her high school teacher.
- Aspergers AANE Females and Aspergers: A checklist and Aspienwomen: Moving towards an adult female profile of Autism/Asperger Syndrome. https://www.mamamia.com.au/autism-in-women/
Research supports a link between people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and many other less widely known conditions including:
- poor eye contact or tendency to watch the mouth or hands instead of eyes
- prosopagnosia
- joint hypermobility
- difficulty with motor coordination (catching balls, carrying objects, gait, handwriting)
- unusual speech patterns or difficulty decoding speech of others.
Many people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder ‘mask’ (force or mimic neurotypical behaviours) to try to fit in socially but this behaviour can have some negative side effects.
HIGHLY SENSITIVE PERSON
Aspergers also has a lot of overlap with the symptoms of highly sensitive people. Here are links to online self assessment, and a book The Highly Sensitive Person by the author Elaine Aron.
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