Useful Articles

Girls on the Autism Spectrum

By The Gray Center for Social Learning and Understanding Sat, May 23rd, 2009

Gray Center SPOTLIGHT: Girls on the Autism Spectrum (May 2009)

Each month I meet with a couple of groups of great teen-age girls.  Each of the 18-20 girls is on the autism spectrum.  We talk, do a variety of activities, laugh, and sometimes cry.  One of the girls says her aspergers is her identity.  Another says she would rather have people think she is crazy than to know she has aspergers.

Someone asked me to describe a teen girl with aspergers.  In turn, I asked them to describe a teen girl.  Obviously, neither description can be done in one or two sentences.

Here are some of the ways the girls with ASD are like other teen girls:

- Some are very quiet, others are very loud!
- Some like to be the center of attention, others avoid attention,
- All like to have individual attention.
- Some like makeup and clothes, others don't care how they look.
- Some love to read, others do not.
- All are looking for social acceptance.

 
And here are some differences between girls with ASD and other teen girls:

- Most have an intense special interest - manga, books of all kinds, Jonas brothers, criminal investigation. 
- Many feel invisible at school everyday.
- Most cannot distinguish between a friend and an acquaintance.
- Sensory issues are often overwhelming.

These lists could go on and on.  Spending time with teen girls with ASD is one way to get to know what they are like.  For those that do not have the time or opportunity to spend time with a group of girls with autism, or those who would like help in their work with girls with ASD, we have several great resources available at www.thegraycenter.org:

"Girls Under the Umbrella of Autism Spectrum Disorders"(Ernsperger and Wendel): Using input from girls on the spectrum as well as their families, this book provides insight and useful strategies and techniques to assist girls with ASD.

"My Strange and Terrible Malady"(Bristow) Fiction: Ronita Baker has just been diagnosed with "ass burgers", and is upset because she thinks it is a boys' "disease".  Through guidance from a life coach as well as an understanding friend at school, Ronnie learns how to navigate the neuro-typical world.  This book could be very helpful to neuro-typical teens, those on the spectrum, and anyone who interacts with teens!

"Girls Growing Up on the Autism Spectrum" (Nichols): The teen years are a difficult time for most girls, and especially so for those on the autism spectrum.  This book covers many concerns of teen girls - friends, puberty, periods, sexuality, safety - as these issues are faced by girls with ASD.

"Asperger's and Girls"(Attwood, Grandin): Drawing on the experiences of several women with ASD as well as the experts who work with them, this book provides information about girls and women on the spectrum.  It covers topics such as education, careers, and relationships and shares practical advice, recognizing the unique challenges of girls with ASD.

Ann Mary Dykstra, Community Coordinator (and Girls' Group Facilitator) The Gray Center for Social Learning and Understanding www.thegraycenter.org