"Social Challenges for Women on the Autism Spectrum" a Different Brains blog by Sarah Howard

Thank You, Dr. Hackie Reitman, for caring about how women on the Spectrum relate. Women are relational beings by nature and there is "A Lot" of pressure on women to be excellent at relationship skills. What men may not know is that our culture has many unspoken rules for how women are to act socially. Just go to any high school campus and watch the girls relate. Watch the boys relate. Even, in these days of equality, you will see differences. One of the things will see is that women are taught to be indirect on they way they ask for what they want and need. This makes it necessary to be acutely aware and able to read nonverbal cues which as you know, people on the Spectrum greatly struggle with. So, women on the Spectrum are definitely at a disadvantage socially. I wonder if a woman on the Spectrum had a friend, a mother, a sister who is neurotypical; could they ask this person questions about nonverbals and learn to better handle social situations. Maybe, even role play communication with nonverbals as a learning tool. How about linking neurotypicals with those on the Spectrum. They could learn from each other. Something, like The Big Brothers/ Big Sisters program, but for kids of similar ages. It's an idea.

Thanks for sharing this Hackie - This is an area that is often overlooked, as women are frequently misdiagnosed and receive later in life diagnosis, if at all. For those who have not checked out Hackie's site, I urge you to do so as there are significant and detailed topics that he dives into. I highly endorse his work without reservation.