Girls with Asperger's Syndrome are less frequently diagnosed than boys, and even once symptoms have been recognised, help is often not readily available. The image of coping well presented by AS females of any age can often mask difficulties, deficits, challenges, and loneliness. This is a must-have handbook written by an Aspergirl for Aspergirls, young and old. Rudy Simone guides you through every aspect of both personal and professional life, from early recollections of blame, guilt, and savant skills, to friendships, romance and marriage. Employment, career, rituals and routines are also covered, along with depression, meltdowns and being misunderstood. Including the reflections of over thirty-five women diagnosed as on the spectrum, as well as some partners and parents, 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, rejecting negative views of Aspergirls and empowering them to lead happy and fulfilled lives. This book will be essential reading for females of any age diagnosed with AS, and those who think they might be on the spectrum. It will also be of interest to partners and loved ones of Aspergirls, and anybody interested either professionally or academically in Asperger's Syndrome.
Rudy Simone is the author of three top-selling books on Asperger Syndrome: Aspergirls: Empowering Females with Asperger Syndrome (Jessica Kingsley 2010), winner of the Independent Publishers Gold Medal and ForeWord "Book of the Year" nominee. Asperger's on the Job: Must-have Advice (Future Horizons 2010) a ForeWord Review "Book of the Year" Gold Medal winner. 22 Things a Woman Must Know If She Loves a Man With Asperger Syndrome (Jessica Kingsley 2009). Rudy has also published a fantasy novel The Fool - Part I: Orsath the Singer and has just signed a contract for a female "22 Things". Her books have been translated into Dutch and Japanese, thus far.
Rudy's books have received endorsements and forewords from some of the top names in autism--including Liane Holiday Willey, Temple Grandin and Tony Attwood. She has penned forewords for other popular ASD books, including Asperger's in Pink, and the Aspie Teen Survival Guide, (both Future Horizons 2010). Ms. Simone lectures regularly at Autism/Asperger conferences, and has been keynote speaker at large conferences around America. She has an extensive tour of Australia and New Zealand later in 2011.
Ms. Simone also writes a very popular blog for Psychology Today called "Aspergirls," which covers all things AS. Her own website www.help4aspergers.com is the #1 resource in the world to find information on general Asperger traits, and also on how AS manifests in females. Her mission is to help other spectrum individuals realize their full potential and believes in a 'cultural exchange' between the autistic and non-autistic populations. The myriad gifts of ASDs are often overlooked because of a lack of understanding and mishandling of social, sensory and cognitive differences.
When she is not consulting, writing or presenting, Rudy is also a standup comic and jazz singer.
