Aspergirls: Empowering Females with Asperger Syndrome

Rudy Simone

Jun 2010 · Jessica Kingsley Publishers

About this eBook

*Gold Medal Winner in the Sexuality / Relationships Category of the 2011 IPPY Awards*

* Honorary Mention in the 2010 BOTYA Awards Women's Issues Category *

Girls with Asperger's Syndrome are less frequently diagnosed than boys, and even once symptoms have been recognised, 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 must-have handbook written by an Aspergirl for Aspergirls, young and old. Rudy Simone guides you through every aspect of both personal and professional life, from early recollections of blame, guilt, and savant skills, to friendships, romance and marriage. Employment, career, rituals and routines are also covered, along with depression, meltdowns and being misunderstood. Including the reflections of over thirty-five women diagnosed as on the spectrum, as well as some partners and parents, Rudy identifies recurring struggles and areas where Aspergirls need validation, information and advice. As they recount their stories, anecdotes, and wisdom, she highlights how differences between males and females on the spectrum are mostly a matter of perception, rejecting negative views of Aspergirls and empowering them to lead happy and fulfilled lives.

This book will be essential reading for females of any age diagnosed with AS, and those who think they might be on the spectrum. It will also be of interest to partners and loved ones of Aspergirls, and anybody interested either professionally or academically in Asperger's Syndrome.

Ratings and reviews

Though it's a little clumsily written, the general insight and very digestible advice into life as a female with Asperger's – which makes up most of the book – is great for a neurotypical like me, and I hope it's helpful for people living with the condition. However, I'm concerned about the pseudoscientific content dotted throughout the book, especially regarding medicine and health. Simone recommends reiki and reflexology, claims she has psychic powers including the ability to predict disasters, refers credulously to "karma", makes suggestions for balancing "chi", and promotes "vitamins and supplements" over prescribed medication, about which she is a little too dismissive. Finally, she perpetuates the unproven idea that autism is related to gut problems, and that it can be alleviated, cured or prevented through dietary changes and supplements (though she gracefully admits that the recommended diets are probably not practical). Simone in no way pretends to be a doctor (and nor do I), but in my opinion she should have a credible professional edit the sections of the book that refer to science, especially medical science, as there is much that needs correcting or even simply removing.

great book to see it from a females perspective.Spot on. The differences between male vs female traits great.This book was the one that really helped me understand myself.Recommend highly for a great insight into a female with aspergers and how they come across and control themselves.This was the one and an easy simple read to really understand compared to the textbook style of generalising the condition..

After reading this I finally feel like I'm not alone and someone gets me. This is a great book if your trying to educate yourself.

About the author

Rudy Simone is an Aspergirl, writer and AS consultant who lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is the author of '22 Things a Woman Must Know If She Loves a Man with Asperger's Syndrome', also published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.