
Off the Spectrum: Why the Science of Autism Has Failed Women and Girls

It was rather huffily pointed out to her that the assessment waiting lists are long enough as it is, and that there was nothing much in the way of support mechanisms available for autistic adults anyway, at least in the UK. These clinicians showed little apparent awareness of how much importance individuals might attach to having a name for their d
... See moreGina Rippon • Off the Spectrum: Why the Science of Autism Has Failed Women and Girls
Or could it be that girls are exposed to specific socialization processes that train them to be compliant and conforming, to not ‘act out’ or rock the boat, to fly beneath the radar? Of course, it could also be an entanglement of the two – another version of the ‘biological script playing out on a social stage’.
Gina Rippon • Off the Spectrum: Why the Science of Autism Has Failed Women and Girls
‘If you had a session with a brain scientist like me, what would you like me to look at?’
Gina Rippon • Off the Spectrum: Why the Science of Autism Has Failed Women and Girls
First of all, there is the motivation, the need to fit in. What do you have to do to make the right impression and not stand out as different?
Gina Rippon • Off the Spectrum: Why the Science of Autism Has Failed Women and Girls
One of the outside influences on the brain that social cognitive neuroscience has explored is that of negative social experiences such as bullying or rejection, a constant theme in many of the discussions I’ve had with autistic people. And the very brain mechanisms that swing into action in the face of such nastiness are the mechanisms that best se
... See moreGina Rippon • Off the Spectrum: Why the Science of Autism Has Failed Women and Girls
We need to take a clear-eyed look at how we could make the world a better place for those who are different.
Gina Rippon • Off the Spectrum: Why the Science of Autism Has Failed Women and Girls
we are definitely moving towards trying to generate a picture of how each autistic individual experiences the world and away from trying to match them to a preconceived (and possibly male-biased) picture of what they should look like.
Gina Rippon • Off the Spectrum: Why the Science of Autism Has Failed Women and Girls
Being more socially sensitive and socially aware in a world in which you are different or not welcome might not always be beneficial. It might just sharpen any social rejection that you face.
Gina Rippon • Off the Spectrum: Why the Science of Autism Has Failed Women and Girls
The ACC again appears to be in charge of this kind of social conflict monitoring. It has been described as a kind of inner critic, or inner limiter, making sure we focus on the things that matter (and act accordingly) and ignore those that don’t.