Is it a valid theory?

It was invented by Simon Baron Cohen and states that there are two main modes of cognition in humans - empathizing and systemizing. They're distributed normally in the population but since males are on average higher on systemizing, their right tail of the curve reaches further and hence there are more autistic males than females.

 

What do researchers think of it? 

Edited May 24, 20241 yr by Otto Kretschmer

3 hours ago, Otto Kretschmer said:

Is it a valid theory?

It was invented by Simon Baron Cohen and states that there are two main modes of cognition in humans - empathizing and systemizing. They're distributed normally in the population but since males are on average higher on systemizing, their right tail of the curve reaches further and hence there are more autistic males than females.

 

What do researchers think of it? 

If he thinks that then he's obviously biased, I imagine...

I've definately got a stalker... 🙄

5 hours ago, dimreepr said:

If he thinks that then he's obviously biased, I imagine...

I've definately got a stalker... 🙄

!

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By way of explanation, it's my understanding that a huge number of women go undiagnosed bc they are better at hiding the symptoms, so a study or thinking that's based on a flawed premise is therefore going to have a bias, they address the difference between a male and female brain but they can't address the true nature of autism.

I haven't been diagnosed, but I definitely fit most of the symptoms. 

On 5/24/2024 at 7:30 AM, Otto Kretschmer said:

Is it a valid theory?

It was invented by Simon Baron Cohen and states that there are two main modes of cognition in humans - empathizing and systemizing. They're distributed normally in the population but since males are on average higher on systemizing, their right tail of the curve reaches further and hence there are more autistic males than females.

 

What do researchers think of it? 

It sounds like this is based on the left/right brain theory, which may not be entirely accurate. (I've read that both sides of the brain can share roles).

Though I do think there is some accuracy to the idea of their being a duality of cognitive functions (e.x. empathizing and systemizing), based on my personal experience.

Edited September 17, 20241 yr by Night FM

It's not well regarded.

Most research rather suggests that because social ineptitude is not tolerated in girls and girls are made to focus on developing nurturing and empathising skills from a very young age that female autists simply learn to mask much earlier and better than male autists.

As someone who was only diagnosed at 37, I can offer my own anecdotal opinion that this is very much the case. I was made to play with dolls and kitchen sets and babysit even when I had no interest. It was made clear to me that not doing so made me a bad daughter and bad sister and bad girl. Even as adults we are assigned caretaking responsibilities by default even when we have no inclination to the role, and declining is met with confusion at best and spite at worst.

Not being able to read social cues and respond appropriately among girls and women very quickly leads to ostracisation and often even bullying.

In other words, women are underdiagnosed for autism because the diagnostic criteria was developed by studying men and we are great at masking our symptoms because it is very much more socially unacceptable for us to display such traits as compared to men.

https://www.asdhelpinghands.org.uk/women-and-girls-with-autism-why-diagnosis-is-often-missed/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/understanding-the-diversity-in-neurodiversity/202202/why-autism-has-been-underdiagnosed-in

https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/understanding-undiagnosed-autism-adult-females