Parents of Girls
Girls with Asperger profiles have a unique set of challenges. They are greatly outnumbered by males within the autism world and often find themselves the lone girl in a group of boys. Likewise, they face difficulties in “girl world,” a place that demands a high level of social acumen. We offer assistance and support to parents who are guiding their daughters through these challenges.
Essential Resources:
Article: Asperger and Autism Spectrum–Women and Girls
Parent Coaching
Diagnosis and Disclosure
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Additional Resources for Women
Common Experiences
Women with Asperger profiles are less likely to be diagnosed and more likely to be misdiagnosed for a number of reasons. Additionally, many professionals have been trained to recognize typical Asperger/autism spectrum expression more easily in... more
Emotional Regulation: Advice for Families
05/04/2021
Emotion Regulation is a concept you may have been introduced to when you discovered your family member was on the autism spectrum. The term may bring up memories of meltdowns, tantrums, irritability, withdrawn behavior, or stress. Witnessing our loved one experience intense emotions can be... more
Two Sibling Perspectives
01/06/2021
The following essays were contributed by two individuals sharing their experiences of having a sibling on the autism spectrum. Both authors wished to remain anonymous.
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Loving Ben
It would be difficult to talk about my brother Ben without mentioning... more
Sarah Hendrickx
Video
Sarah Hendrickx presents at the Asperger/Autism Network's conference, "Hiding in Plain Sight: Shining Light on Women with Asperger/Autism Profiles." March... more
Accentuate the Positive
07/06/2020
In our parent support groups and Community Connections conversations, AANE staff members are hearing a lot about families’ experiences during this COVID-19 stay-at-home period. As most parents are spending a lot more time than usual with their children, many are also getting to observe directly... more
Families are under unprecedented stress as they grapple with the impacts of school closures. Many are worried about what will happen with their child’s education when school resumes. For children with Asperger profiles who depend on the routine and structured environment at school, these times... more
Hiding in Plain Sight: In Our Own Words
Recommended Reading
Women with Asperger/Autism Profiles Share their Life Stories
These twenty stories were sent to AANE in preparation for the March conference regarding women on the Autism Spectrum. Six of these stories were presented at the conference itself; the rest are now being shared for the very first... more
Susan Shanfield wrote and presented this talk at AANE’s Celebration of Community on March 7, 2004.
Hi Everyone. What an amazing experience that we women and girls are gathered here together to celebrate our strengths and differences—and I think that we’re making history at the same time.... more
I can’t pinpoint the exact moment that I realized that my eight-year old daughter had Asperger’s. It doesn’t seem all that long ago, when she was three, that I moved her from a family day care to a larger center, hoping that she would meet children her age and make friends. Though I anxiously... more
This webinar takes parents of girls through the common difficulties faced by girls with AS/ASD as they begin and move through puberty. These girls may be confused or upset by the changes taking places in their bodies. New hygiene routines can be made more difficult by sensory sensitivities. In... more
The Self-Discovery of One Aspie Woman
11/09/2016
I had always thought of myself as a sensitive and independent introvert who had found her way after an anxious and lonely childhood. When I hit 40 years old, something shifted – so many of my peers had reached the traditional milestones of marriage, children, home buying, etc., none of which I... more
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The AANE Community
Video
The AANE community share their... more
Middle School – The Stuff Nobody Tells You About: A Teenage Girl with ASD Shares…
Recommended Reading
The transition to middle school is daunting to most, but for students with autism spectrum disorders, it can be a veritable mine field of hidden curriculum rules, social misunderstanding, cliques, etc. And that's even before cracking open a book! Based on her own experiences, Haley Moss, a teenager... more
People with Asperger profiles absolutely do have feelings, although they may have difficulty identifying and discussing them. In fact, many feelings – such as fear, anger and joy – seem to be experienced more intensely by those with Asperger profiles than by average people. In addition, some... more
My name is Jennifer, I’m 42 years old, and I have Asperger Syndrome (AS). Lately I’ve been frequently asked to talk or write about dating, friendship, and relationships. This may be partly because I’ve been happily married for 14 years (to a man who also has AS), and socialize reasonably well with the “neurotypical” (NT) population. I... more
Many of us started this journey through the now famous metaphor of visiting Holland. If you haven’t read Emily Perl Kingsley’s brilliant essay on having a child with special needs, read it here. In it, she compares getting ready to have a baby to planning a trip to Italy—only expectant parents could think of parenting as a trip to one of... more
Aspergirls: Empowering Females with Asperger Syndrome
Recommended Reading
Girls with Asperger/Autism profiles are less frequently diagnosed than boys, and even once symptoms have been recognized, help is often not readily available. The image of coping well presented by AS females of any age can often mask difficulties, deficits, challenges, and loneliness. This is a... more
While respecting the abilities and humanity of people with Asperger profiles, one should not underestimate their struggles and suffering they might endure. A society designed for and dominated by the neurotypical majority can feel uncongenial and even overwhelming for a person with an Asperger... more
Katie shares how parent coaching has helped her family. Sign up for Parent Coaching... more
Ross Kramer shares how Parent Coaching helped his family get on the right track.
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