Table of Contents

Foreword by Liane Holliday Willey. Introduction. 1. Imagination, Self-taught Reading and Savant Skills, and Unusual Interests. 2. Why Smart Girls Sometimes Hate School. 3. Sensory Overload. 4. Stimming, and What We Do When We're Happy. 5. On Blame and Internalizing Guilt. 6. Gender Roles and Identity. 7. Puberty and Mutism. 8. Attraction, Dating, Sex, and Relationships. 9. Friendships and Socializing. 10. Higher Learning. 11. Employment and Career. 12. Marriage and Cohabitation. 13. Having Children. 14. Ritual and Routine, Logical and Literal Thinking, Bluntness, Empathy, and Being Misunderstood. 15. Diagnosis, Misdiagnosis, and Medication. 16. Depression Meltdowns, PTSD, and More About Meds. 17. Temper Meltdowns. 18. Burning Bridges. 19. Stomach Issues and Autism. 20. Getting Older on the Spectrum. 21. On Whether AS is a Disability or a Gift, and Advice from Aspergirls to Aspergirls. Additional Tools for Parents. 22. Give Your Aspergirl some BALLS: Belief, Acceptance, Love, Like, and Support. 23. Thoughts and Advice from Parents of Aspergirls. Appendix. List of Female Asperger Syndrome Traits. Summary of Some Main Female/Male Differences. References and Resources.

Promotional Information

Award winning handbook for girls and women on the autism spectrum, perceptive and wise reflections and advice

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.

Reviews

Ruby Simone's approach is hands-on, and her writing style is easy to read. The chapters are short and give good tips to woman and girls with AS and the people closest to them. I don't know that I believe all the holistic stuff, but I think this book should be required reading for woman and girls who have been diagnosed with AS. -- A Girl Walks into a Bookstore Blog
Every chapter deals with the everyday things that occur in life, explaining how you could feel when you're in love, when you fancy someone, to what you do and should do when going on a date. Sexual relationships and sexual activity are clearly explained, as are how they are affected by sensory issues and whether sex is painful and annoying -- Asperger United
It is interesting the way temper meltdowns are described very accurately and are written just as I experience them, including crying, frustration, shouting, yelling, being sarcastic, becoming vicious, feeling faint or dizzy and that temper meltdowns often happen when we are hungry. -- Asperger United
This is a very readable and enlightening book for all Aspergrirls, their family, friends and involved others... This thoughtful account enthuses the reader and builds their understanding of the specific needs of Aspergirls; a highly recommended book. -- Youth in Mind
In the accessible and relevant 'Aspergirls', Rudy Simone takes the reader through the stages of life from childhood to old age, looking at issues such as the Aspergirl's 'meltdowns', 'stims' (self-stimulatory behaviour), literal thinking, socialising and sexuality. It is written in a touching, often humorous and very practical style, effectively providing a life manual for females with Asperger Syndrome. The anecdotes from Aspergirls she has interviewed broaden the reader's insight into what is must be like to live with this syndrome. -- Speech & Language Therapy in Practice
In a lovely style, Rudy Simone covers every aspect of personal and professional life, from early recollections of blame, guilt and savant skills to friendships, romance and marriage...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 and empowers Aspergirls to lead happy and fulfilled lives. -- Human Givens Journal
I can highly recommend this book to all Aspergirls and their parents, family, partners and professionals, as well as to all members of our community. With humour, love, liking and respect Rudy opens our eyes to the World of the Aspergirl, providing powerful insights on love, learning, sex, career, marriage, having children, friendships, puberty, diagnosis, emotions, health, aging and more...For too many years we have missed Aspergirls due to our current understanding of Asperger's syndrome being largely based on a male presentation. Rudy generously provides, through deep personal insight and her interviews with other Aspergirls, a broader definition and understanding, one that will help bridge the gap between Aspergirls and the non-spectrum population. -- Dr Michelle Garnett MPsych(Clin) PhD MAPS MCCP, Clinic Director and Clinical Psychologist, Minds & Hearts: A Specialist Clinic for Asperger's Syndrome and Autism
Rudy's book helps girls with AS to realize that they are not alone and lets them know that there are others who feel like thy do. But Rudy also does a thoughtful job of illustrating that not all girls with AS are the same. They have both talents and deficits and vary based on intelligence, level of imagination, and obsessions, just to name a few areas. -- Help! SOS for Parents

Many people, doctors and counsellors included, see AS (Autism Spectrum) as predominately affecting men. The Aspergirls is more often than not overlooked or diagnosed later in life. Rudy's book helps girls with AS to realize that they are not alone and lets them know that there are others who feel like they do. But Rudy also does a thoughtful job of illustrating that not all girls with AS are the same. They have both talents and deficits and vary based on intelligence, level of imagination, and obsessions, just to name a few areas.' - Help! S-O-S for Parents

'Specialists' books are all very well, but what people really, really need are the 'case histories' told from the inside. And so far this is the best I've seen. Aspergirls is a mix between Rudy's own experience and that of other Aspergirls, as well as pure advice, both to other Aspies as well as to Neurotypicals.

-- Bookwich blog
This book is a tremendous resource for Aspergirls, their parents, family, friends and professionals. Based on Ms. Simone's personal insight as well as her interviews of over 35 women on the spectrum, this book will serve as an inclusive reference manual. Each chapter is packed with information on sensory overload, guilt, dating, higher learning and career, medication, meltdowns and stomach issues to name only a few. At the end of each chapter are sections containing very practical suggestions for Aspergirls, and their parents for handling the multitude of issues that can accompany Asperger's syndrome. She also encourages Aspergirls to celebrate and cherish who they are and puts to rest some common myths about girls on the spectrum. She encourages us with statements such as, "Life is about making a contribution, not about being popular and fitting in." Ms. Simone is very candid and open about her own struggles and with bullying experiences. She also discusses the difficulties in identifying women on the spectrum. This book will serve as an excellent reference for the Aspergirl and those who love/work with her. -- Bonnie Kimpling-Kelly, teacher and behavior analyst
This book is an easy to read, sensitive and funny at times while presenting some serious matters to consider. The concerns are focused on the individual but inclusive of the parents, educator and the community surrounding them. Whether you are a parent of a child with Asperger Syndrome or know someone who is, this is a must read as it will not only provide the reader with a good insight and look into the lives of girls with Asperger Syndrome, but also make you laugh as you develop more compassion aside faith. -- Oren Shtayermman * Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders *