Aspergirls

by Simone, Rudy

• ISBN13: 9781849058261
• ISBN10: 1849058261
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-05-15
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Pub

Summary

This is a must-have handbook written by an Aspergirl for Aspergirls, young and old. Rudy Simone guides you through every aspect of both personal and professional life, from early recollections of blame, guilt, and savant skills, to friendships, romance and marriage. Employment, career, rituals and routines are also covered, along with depression, meltdowns and being misunderstood. Including the reflections of over thirty-five women diagnosed as on the spectrum, as well as some partners and parents, Rudy identifies recurring struggles and areas where Aspergirls need validation, information and advice. As they recount their stories, anecdotes, and wisdom, she highlights how differences between males and females on the spectrum are mostly a matter of perception, rejecting negative views of Aspergirls and empowering them to lead happy and fulfilled lives. This book will be essential reading for females of any age diagnosed with AS, and those who think they might be on the spectrum. It will also be of interest to partners and loved ones of Aspergirls, and anybody interested either professionally or academically in Asperger's Syndrome.

Author Biography

Rudy Simone is an Aspergirl, writer and AS consultant who lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is the author of 22 Things a Woman Must Know If She Loves a Man with Asperger's Syndrome, also published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. 9
Introduction	p. 13
Imagination, Self-taught Reading and Savant Skills, and Unusual Interests	p. 19
Why Smart Girls Sometimes Hate School	p. 27
Sensory Overload	p. 35
Stimming, and What We Do When We're Happy	p. 45
On Blame and Internalizing Guilt	p. 53
Gender Roles and Identity	p. 61
Puberty and Mutism	p. 67
Attraction, Dating, Sex, and Relationships	p. 79
Friendships and Socializing	p. 95
Higher Learning	p. 107
Employment and Career	p. 117
Marriage and Cohabitation	p. 127
Having Children	p. 137
Ritual and Routine, Logical and Literal Thinking, Bluntness, Empathy, and Being Misunderstood	p. 147
Diagnosis, Misdiagnosis and Medication	p. 159
Depression Meltdowns, PTSD, and More about Meds	p. 167
Temper Meltdowns	p. 181
Burning Bridges	p. 191
Stomach Issues and Autism	p. 199
Getting Older on the Spectrum	p. 205
On Whether Asperger Syndrome is a Disability or a Gift, and Advice from Aspergirls to Aspergirls	p. 211
Additional Tools for Parents
Give Your Aspergirl Some BALLS: Belief, Acceptance, Love, Like, and Support	p. 219
Thoughts and Advice from Parents of Aspergirls	p. 225
Appendix
List of Female Asperger Syndrome Traits	p. 230
Summary of Some Main Female/Male Differences	p. 233
References and Resources	p. 235
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.