Does Asperger’s Syndrome look different in boys and girls?
Girls and boys with Asperger’s have the same core symptoms. However, boys and girls may display these symptoms somewhat differently. A girl with Asperger’s may be more likely to withdraw or display internalizing symptoms, whereas a boy with Asperger’s might “act up” and display his frustrations more outwardly. In general, girls tend to develop more sophisticated language skills at an earlier age than boys. This early advantage in language development for girls appears to compensate for their difficulties and, as a result, the symptoms of Asperger’s tend to be less noticeable in girls than in boys. However, the unique social deficits associated with Asperger’s have been found to be particularly challenging for girls, especially since girls in our society are known to be more relationally-oriented. That is, girls’ identity development places more emphasis on the strength of their relationships, whereas boys’ identity is typically more achievement-oriented. The impact of Asperger’s on soc
