Girls with Aspergers

Like ADHD, symptoms of Aspergers are different in females than males, consequently, more males are referred for an Aspergers assessment than females; a ratio as high as 10:1 has been suggested. Despite that, epidemiological research suggests a ratio of 4:1 is more accurate, which means that there are potentially thousands of young females with Aspergers who never get diagnosed.

The primary differences between Aspergers diagnoses in females and males seem to be caused by basic differences in the ways males and females express themselves. Aggressive behavior is more noticeable, and a youngster who is overly aggressive is more likely to be evaluated. Because females have a greater ability to express their emotions, they're less likely to act out when they're upset, confused or overwhelmed. Without this behavioral "compass", the other aspects of Aspergers are more likely to go unnoticed.

Another similarity between ADHD and Aspergers in females is that the symptoms are more passive in nature, which makes them more difficult to notice. Because the symptoms are milder, parents are also more reluctant to bring their daughter in for a diagnosis.

Some experts speculate that one reason fewer females are diagnosed is because their peers are more likely to help them cope in social situations, which is where Aspergers symptoms are most readily identifiable. Nurturing is instinctive in females, and so the friends of a young female with Aspergers will intuitively comfort her when she's upset, or guide her through social interactions. In contrast, males tend to be more 'predatory' and therefore more likely to tease a male with Aspergers. Because a female's friends do their best to help her, her parents and/or teachers may never see symptoms - or may not see them often enough - that would warrant a clinical diagnosis.

One of the key symptoms common between males and females is a hyper-focused interest one particular thing or topic. For males, the special interests are often in areas of science or transportation (trains or airplanes). In females, the focus is often on animals or classic literature. The interest in and of itself isn't unusual, but a youngster with Aspergers will have an unusually intimate knowledge of his or her topic of interest. Young females may play with dolls and have imaginary friends, which doesn't seem at all unusual. However, her interest in these things will continue even when she's a teenager and they should have been outgrown.

Because social situations are stressful and awkward for females with Aspergers, they often learn to mimic people who have stronger social skills. They may adopt someone else's mannerisms, facial expressions and even vocal intonations. Again, this is sometimes misinterpreted - especially in older kids or adults - and may be misdiagnosed as a personality disorder.

Dr. Tony Atwood, in his paper about females with Aspergers2, noted that females "are more motivated to learn and quicker to understand key concepts in comparison to males with Aspergers of equivalent intellectual ability." As such, he predicted that females would fare better in the long run, if they're properly diagnosed.

Parents who suspect that a daughter may have Aspergers should seek the advice of a trained medical professional. Be sure to take note of the behaviors in question, including frequency and environment in which the behavior takes place. Because Aspergers symptoms are so much more subtle in females, parents should consult with someone who specializes in Aspergers.

As with other behavioral or learning disabilities, kids with Aspergers have specific educational rights. Parents of a youngster who's been diagnosed with Aspergers should familiarize themselves with the school district's policy about things like specialized learning plans. Often, a young female with Aspergers need just a little extra attention to keep her on track toward reaching both her academic and personal potential.

The Parenting Aspergers Resource Guide: A Complete
Resource Guide For Parents Who Have Children Diagnosed
With Aspergers Syndrome.