Ruth Elaine Hane
The needs of girls and women with autism, different from those of neurotypicals, have recently caught the attention of the autism community and the public, in general. Girls with autism are a minority population frequently exhibiting dissimilar behaviors than boys who are diagnosed five to one with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Girls in our culture are encouraged to “act like ladies” and blend in, whereas “boys will be boys” is often given as the reason for males who may have behavioral issues. Teachers, care givers, professionals and parents allow more latitude and tolerance for boys and men who are disruptive and act out. Since the media and toy makers offer mostly scripted play for girls, girls who have other more active interests may be denied an opportunity to pursue these and may turn inward, often becoming depressed. If we include these compliant girls who withdraw, figuratively speaking, by reading in a corner and do not openly express their preferences, the ratio of boys to girls diagnosed with ASD might change considerably. Read more >
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