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Exteme male brain theory 'unhelpful'

TheCatWoman

Say's Simon Baron Cohen, the man who came up wth the phrase in the first place has said in an interview with the Guardian. He believes that it's not been helpful, or saying that autistic people lack empathy, when what we really have is often problems knowing what people are thinking or feeling from facial expressions, but have no lack of empathy regarding peoples feelings once they know what they are. He has also acknowleged that the terms "male and female" brains dosen't really mean anything.

I'm glad he's said this and I hope it clears up some of the misconceptions about us.

Parents

  • I think that there needs to be some middle ground with this. I have read the discussion. I was more boyish in personality when growing up and fitted the pervious school of thought. Some girl's will be like this and some will not. I hope whatever is arrived at covers the needs and diversity of both of these groups.

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  • I think that there needs to be some middle ground with this. I have read the discussion. I was more boyish in personality when growing up and fitted the pervious school of thought. Some girl's will be like this and some will not. I hope whatever is arrived at covers the needs and diversity of both of these groups.

Children
  • in reply to RachelO

    Maybe the middle ground is to stop defining things as male and female behaviours, especially in childhood? Some girls like doing "male" things, like climbing tree's and building dens, some boys are more nurturing and like cooking, so what? This sort of gender stereotyping causes all sort of problems, boys being thought of as "gay" because they don't like sport and prefer art, girls being called all sorts of horrible names because they do like sport and don't like playing with dolls. This affects NT's just as much as it does us, but it does lead to another hurdle for autistic people, when we're expected to behave according to a stereotype, that outdated, not scientifically supported and yet has the power to change how we are in the world, what help and support we get, if any.