Published on 12, July, 2020
My experience, based on a rather small sample, is that there is a strong overlap between being on the Spectrum and having at least some doubts about ones gender identity. Possibly our lack of social awareness (= tact) means we are more ready to admit to something that most people would keep well hidden. Possibly there is a real correlation.
At one point I found that of the four male Aspies regularly posting to a small forum, three had well developed female personas. Too small a sample, but interesting. Another forum member was a paintball ref and really one of the lads (and female).
Anyone else willing to speak for themselves? Any parents noticed boyish girls or girlish boys?
I see, thanks for that.
I've seen this 'extreme male brain' thing mentioned before. Frankly, because it's such utter bunk, I probably didn't give it the attention that I could have, even if it was only to help debunk it.
In all of my readings of posts, and my responses to them, I scarcely pay attention (and really, only when they raise it) to the gender of the poster. I look at it that we are all AS people, we share particular circumstances, we've (mostly) all known the pain, heartache and sheer torture of trying to get along in an NT controlled world, and given all of this, I can't bring myself to bother with the sexuality, race, religion or gender of the person. These are minutiae and as such are unimportant. It's the person I'm talking to, not their personal preferences, choices or genetic circumstances.
Interestingly, because of some other problems, I once had my testosterone levels measured. They were found to be at the highest end of the range, my (male) doctor was a lot more impressed than I was, but the measurement itself held no implications for me. All I said was that if anyone is seeking artificial insemination, I was prepared to give them real insemination. Bit of self interest there...
So I totaly agree with you. This idea of 'extreme male brain' is just another one of those debunked theories that needs to be put in the dustbin of history. Worth postulating, any theory is, because you can't discard any theory until you've tested it.
In spite of my aforementioned testosterone, I've had serious reason to question my own sexuality in the past. Being curious, in the way that we can be, can, I know, lead us down all sorts of paths, off at tangents, seeking new knowledge. But, if we don't first ask ourselves a question, we can't end up with an answer.
Lastly. I have both male and female sides and I allow them equally. But I'd like to change those descriptions for a moment. I have many sides to my brain, I think it's just misleading to see them in terms of 'male' or 'female'.