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• Autism occurs four to fifteen times more frequently in males than females, and there are theories, correct or not, that Autism is the extreme end of a spectrum of behaviors normally associated with maleness.
• The following are perhaps unfair and often untrue generalities, but offered for the sake of better understanding Autism: Think how females seem more able to empathize, multi-task, be verbal, read another person's feelings, enjoy dolls, act gently. In comparison, think how males seem less empathetic, more able to concentrate and problem-solve, be less verbal, sometimes be oblivious to the other person's feelings, like wheels and trucks, and act out physically.
• The pop-culture book said that women are from Venus, the planet of compassion; men are from Mars, the planet of war. Some would say Autism is from Mars too.
• Wherever we are from, I think we would do better understanding and celebrating the differences and similarities in people.
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• Dr. Rick Holm wrote this Prairie Doc Perspective for "On Call®," a weekly program where medical professionals discuss health concerns for the general public.  "On Call®" is produced by the Healing Words Foundation in association with the South Dakota State University Journalism Department. "On Call®" airs Thursdays on South Dakota Public Broadcasting-Television at 7 p.m. Central, 6 p.m. Mountain. Visit us at OnCallTelevision.com. 
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