Hurrah for open access.

Paper here.

It's interesting that males with autism typically have less "male" brains than baseline males, whilest females with autism seem to have more "male" brains than baseline females. Possibly why exposure to prenatal testosterone in females can lead to the development of autistic traits?

Totally agree there. My wife is more male-brained than I am.

I wonder if this will explain a lot about me... :/

Makes sense for me

So much for "extreme male brain"

I can believe this, since I've never had what you would call traditional manly traits or interests. Like sports and cars and bikini supermodels. And I'm terrible at making decisions in a crisis.

I have read about this in women, but not in men.  

It makes sense, and as ConLang said, it blows the theory of the "extreme male brain" out of the water, not that it was a great or helpful idea to begin with.  

Would you consider this a neutral, negative, or positive trait?  

I like having a less feminine mind for the most part.  The only problem is that I don't relate well to my female peers.

Keep in mind both of the theories are claiming objective anatomical evidence.  Their coexistence as "theories" (rather than hypotheses) demonstrates more than anything that each is a dramatic oversimplification.  I think western civilization has a hangup on gender left over from conservatives that it's trying to justify using autism and other disabilities.

This post was last modified: 08-07-2012 10:29 PM by Lang.

I can't understand men for the most part... I do have one good "male" friend, but he's also autistic - and transitioning, so I'll end up having no male friends... :p

Having a more androgynous brain might have been a factor in my abnormal gender identity development. Though, I'd still like my own personal scan to see exactly how I differ from the baseline/wild type. But I'd also like a full genome sequence, which I need £3k for. Hopefully I'll be able to afford it next year.

I agree and disagree

While there are distinct, measurable anatomical differences in typical male and female brains, there is probably too great of an emphasis on differences - instead of the vast similarities - between the sexes neurologically.  

I think it holds both genders back.  I hate the social rules associated with gender.  I like being a girl, don't get me wrong, I wear dresses and do my hair and makeup.  I'm also pretty darned good at math and I like to fix things! If I felt confined to social roles, I might not allow those parts of me to be expressed.

The brain is also an incredibly plastic organ, and I haven't seen anyone try to present proof that the differences in male and female brains don't have anything to do with the difference in the experiences of either gender.  

So if an autistic's experiences are more "masculine" they will have more a masculine looking brain.  But if their experiences are less defined by gender, then their brain will look more androgynous.  Somebody feel free to prove me wrong.

I would say neutral.

My feeling is that it might be because we don't feel (or notice) the pressure to conform to gender rolls as much.

^ I agree with d_olson27. Since I was male and figured from a very young age that I would just naturally have all the male tendencies, I spent most of my time learning from the females in my family and extended group. I could see the distiction in relationships by other males and females through observation of behavior and communication. My naivity is due to assuming the male genderings were innate because I was male. So to resolve the conflict in relations I was observing, I naturally assumed I should learn how to be female. I have been told by homosexual men that I do not have a gay bone in my body. I mention this only to demonstrate that I pursue female tendancies all the time - I feel they are better thinkers by way of brain function, and they are more empathetic. Yet, I am as manly as it gets when others describe me and relate stories of interactions with me or situations they have observed me "handle".

So, I would say neutral because we don't apply gender as a role, more as a "starting position" due to chromosonal choice at conception. From that point on, who we become has more to do with nurturing, than the nature of our birth gender. We are not as "sure" of our "orientation" because we are trying to develop relation and understanding with other individuals. We do not assume what we are "seeing" is who we are relating. Only upon declaration by the other are we to begin to understand who they are, and only through interaction and observation.

It may be because of harmonal interference in utero, or it may really be that we understand the body we are born has nothing to do with the mind we develop. I prefer to emulate female tendencies, because I am assuredly a male. I am comfortable in any role, only because I have experienced and questioned the pre-concieved notions of what a man or woman or someone somewhere between is "supposed" to be. And I respect others who 1st respect themselves, then extend that courtousey to another. I don't care what you are, only that you be who you are. And I will defend with my life anothers right to be themselves.

Respectfully,
Mike S.

This post was last modified: 08-08-2012 08:23 AM by MikeSilva.

I consider it a positive trait. I had a much closer relationship with my kids when they were toddlers than any other guy I know. And I can't think of any stereotypically male traits that I wish I had more of. Best thing about being male is standing up to pee, and I can do that so what else do I need?

This post was last modified: 08-08-2012 11:19 AM by 142857.