4. Social Intuition: The Absent Professor in Female Asperger’s
We all carry an internal social professor guiding us through the labyrinth of human interactions, but in women with Asperger’s, this professor seems to be on sabbatical. These women may excel in fields requiring logic and precision, yet stumble in social situations that others navigate effortlessly. But it’s not that they don’t want to understand; it’s that the social cues are written in a language they don’t quite grasp.
Learning this ‘language’ is a bit like learning to read a room where everyone but you has the playbook. Interpreting facial expressions, gauging tone of voice, and picking up on humor or sarcasm can be overwhelming tasks. So when you see a woman with Asperger’s apparently “misreading” a situation, know that she’s decoding complexities you might not even be aware of.
Yet, their social struggles shouldn’t overshadow their often exceptional skills in other areas. Many women with Asperger’s display remarkable talents in art, music, academics, or other fields requiring concentrated attention. They might lack social intuition, but their other senses often are finely tuned, capturing nuances that many people overlook.
And it’s not as if social norms are the gold standard for human interaction. There’s a richness in how women with Asperger’s view the world. Their unique perspectives can be eye-opening, adding layers of depth to how they approach relationships, ethics, and life’s big questions. (4)
