Positive Female Autistic Role Models

Can you bring to mind a positive female role model? I bet you can, easily.

Can you bring to mind a positive female autistic role model? I'll wait.............hmmm, not so easy huh?

I look for positive autistic female role models so I can share them with individuals who might be struggling a bit with their new-found identity when they suspect, or are diagnosed.

The thing is - there's not a lot of help out there for us autistic ladies yet, it's not that long ago that it was believed to be solely a male brain difference. This is why the diagnosis criteria is geared with questions that pertain to male brains, and male autistic brains. I look forward to a time when females have their own test measuring autistic girls with different brains traits with those of non-autistic girl traits to make a proper diagnosis, and an adult female and male version that takes into account years of ABA (Applied Behavioural Analysis), trauma and masking as the current diagnosis tool used is geared only to a male child.

Some misinformed or uneducated people have tried to use the fact that Greta Thunberg is autistic as some kind of weapon against her. Ridiculous. It gives her a huge advantage in terms of how she compartmentalises her world and removes the need for meaningless hot air. She says what she needs to say without sugar coating, which for the non-autistic people in the world who are upset by her words, is a bitter pill to swallow. They are not used to people in the media saying what they mean, and meaning what they say. She might seem old beyond her years to them, and some have said she's controlled by her parents but that is because society states children must be childlike or childish. Well I wasn't when I was a child either, and my parents definitely didn't control my values and beliefs, even though they tried to. She's a positive role model to all the young autistic females out there who are constantly told to sit down, stop fidgeting (quiet hands), close their mouth, and do as they are told.

Another autistic female role model I have is Temple Grandin - who found her own way to self regulate, express herself and function in society, after a great start from her Mum. Temple is widely regarded as an authority and expert in her field of animal welfare and handling on meat farms across the world. She does have controversial views about ABA (Applied Behavioural Analysis) - a repetitive process used to change the autistic behaviour in children to more socially acceptable behaviour. She says it was the making of her, but others report it as a cruel and confusing torture that left them with mental scars for the rest of their lives and a confusion about their own identity and personality. She's a role model for me because she has demonstrated that despite any difficulties she experiences in life she has become a successful author, she is able to communicate effectively and has make immeasurable difference to the welfare of millions of livestock across the world.

Fictional characters can be used as great role models too if they fit the right person. What I mean is, if you have a budding scientist, young autistic girl - you could invite them to watch age appropriate episodes of "Bones" the American TV series about a forensic anthropologist and an FBI agent. 

The young girl would be able to see that despite the awkwardness of the lead character (Temperance "Bones" Brennan) interactions at times, the people around her still respect her and don't expect her to change fundamentally to fit in. She is sometimes guided by her team to "soften" some of her very direct and blunt language in order to get the best out her team, but these are just enhancements to get a great result - not a complete re-writing of her brain and how she operates on a day to day basis. It's as much about the relationships the non-autistic people have with her as the one she has with them. They don't judge her - they guide her and explain things to her when it's obvious that she has missed a nuance or subtlety of social interaction. This is another great example of someone who has found success in being a polymath (author and anthropologist) despite her brain difference being perceived as a disability by some.

I'll stop at three for now - I could go on for ages (and will probably pick this up in another article soon) but I think I've made my point. There are female autistic role models out there - so if you need to inspire someone - just use Google and you'll find someone. 

I hope that I will inspire other autistic females in the future too - I'm a work in progress, but I always try to do my best and try to be the best version of myself. I'd like to think it will be my legacy to leave behind a tool to help other adult females (in particular) get diagnosed more easily, and to access whatever help they need to lead a full and satisfying life.

If want to talk about this subject a bit more, email me at [email protected]