Girl with the Curly Hair Meets The Boy with the Spiky Hair: ASD in females vs males

Most scientific research to date has been carried out on males and some people think this means the diagnostic criteria for ASD is not suitable for diagnosing females. I am often asked what the differences are between males and females with ASD and the answer isn't easy... to date, I am still not sure there are any differences other than that: females might be better at 'masking' (hiding) their ASD females might have more complex thoughts associated with their ASD females might have greater awareness of themselves and of others Truthfully, I feel that the main differences between any two people with ASD comes down to their personality type and in particular how introverted or extroverted they are. I hope you enjoy this book. It is entirely fictional, based on my own personal experiences, and should be taken as such. Indeed, The Boy with the Spiky Hair is just one individual, just like The Girl with the Curly Hair and just like you and me! Professor Tony Attwood says, " I think the juxtaposition of the girl's speech and thoughts with that of the boy is an excellent way of identifying some of the differences that can occur between girls and boys with Asperger's syndrome. Alis's text is very succinct and clear and as I read through the book, I had many "aha, yes that's so true" moments. I think the book will be particularly valuable for clinicians in exploring the different thinking and presentation of boys and girls with Asperger's syndrome."