Help! Are there any women in this Community with ASD

Yes, hello, I've been lurking for a couple of weeks and your post has brought me out of the woodwork!  Well, I say yes but that will depend on your attitude to self-diagnosis, I've been referred for assessment but it seems that could take a year which is a little distressing.

I spent a while reading musingsofanaspie now dormant blog, between the posts and the comments I found an awful lot of self recognition. It's a shame there isn't more activity here, though I have read some really interesting stuff. My head is still fried at the moment because a month ago it never would have occurred to me that I might be autistic but given all that I've read and those online tests, my life is explained.

I also think there are probably hundreds of us out here undiagnosed but suffering without knowing why.

Thank you for replying Spotty.

I've also been doing a lot of reading of online papers etc and taking online assessments and can certainly recommend Dr Tony Attwood and Odd Girl Out by Laura James.  The blogs have been good too and I am pleased that there are so many successful and intelligent women out there but it is sad to see so many working hard to figure things out on their own.....and in their own woodwork!

One of the cruelties of ASD is that we can very very empathetic but hit paralysis when trying to intervene to help others!

thank you so much for responding.  I realised that the diagnostic test is a long wait so I'm just reading a lot and reaching out to help settle onto this self-diagnosis which has seen everything click into place in terms of past experience and behaviour...I just need to resolve all of this in my head space before I take the next step.

how are you bearing up?

Hi nas23891 I am male but had to respond to your comment"One of the cruelties of ASD is that we can be very empathetic but hit paralysis when trying to intervene to help others". This seems to keep cropping up from other ASD people! I think the so called experts need to re evaluate their assumption regarding empathy.empathy has two main headings,cognitive being no empathy and effective meaning an understanding of how someone feels but not able to see why. Don't quote that but I read a bit about ASD folks having no empathy! Absolute nonesense I think, I truly believe we see more than neurotypicals but as you say freeze when attempting to deal with it. Take care and I hope you find many like minded non judgemental people on here.

Hi, I'm a female with autism, and I struggle with empathy. It feels like I'm selfish because I can't seem to understand how others feel, this makes me stressed to be point where I feel so guilty for not understanding. I only know how I feel, so I end up being selfish because I don't know how to take others feelings into consideration. I'm not being mean, i do care the problem is I care too much.  If someone is ill or really sad about something  for example I don't know how to behave. To them point where I am overly fussing over them and trying to make things better, but always getting it wrong.

p.s. How do you manage as a teacher ? I want to be one but I'm scarec because of my anxiety and confidence and meltdowns. I also have very small confidence. 

Thank you 

I agree Lone Warrior...one of the most positive traits I see in my students over the past couple of years is a resentment towards being categorised - I.e we are all individuals - good bits and bad...they do not comprehend the need to categorise in relation to age, sexual orientation, religion, disability which I think is brilliant...however there are still bigots in the young community..,but there you are...

Your comments about different types if women are very true and I am sure you are equally frustrated by the trains of some men.....are we all on a spectrum.....but who decides the scale and the diagnostic framework and how do you ensure that everyone works together...

we are each individual pieces of a big puzzle and all have our role, and skills to add and enhance the world around us as long as it is not to the detriment of others...

Glad you feel at home...I am still installing updates and processes...so very much welcome your contribution Mr Warrior. With no fluttering of eyelashes - lol - good luck to you and your daughter

I agree Lone Warrior...one of the most positive traits I see in my students over the past couple of years is a resentment towards being categorised - I.e we are all individuals - good bits and bad...they do not comprehend the need to categorise in relation to age, sexual orientation, religion, disability which I think is brilliant...however there are still bigots in the young community..,but there you are...

Your comments about different types if women are very true and I am sure you are equally frustrated by the trains of some men.....are we all on a spectrum.....but who decides the scale and the diagnostic framework and how do you ensure that everyone works together...

we are each individual pieces of a big puzzle and all have our role, and skills to add and enhance the world around us as long as it is not to the detriment of others...

Glad you feel at home...I am still installing updates and processes...so very much welcome your contribution Mr Warrior. With no fluttering of eyelashes - lol - good luck to you and your daughter