Women with Autism, Asperger’s, Menopause, and Hot Flashes

We Aspie and Autti women unite in the common cause of our uniqueness and our group understanding.  Last month I became officially a member of the tribe of all women.  In three to five seconds each, I bonded in mutual understanding with over 100 women.

We had a booth at the Minneapolis Home and Garden Show for our weighted blankets.  Two of the people selling in the booth didn’t have menopause because one woman is too young and the other is a man.

But, Marie and I, whew, Holy Hot Flashes, Bat Man!  You see, Marie and I were the blanket models in the recliner.  We were so glad when an attendee took over the chair to try our weighted blanket.

When one I asked women to try it, only the ones under 40 were eager to try.  The ones over 40 (like me) would make a hand gesture waving at their faces to show that they are too hot.  One woman said, “I’ll put on a blanket again once I’m able to wear white pants.”  Marie and I laughed so hard, while the other two salespeople looked at each other with confusion.

Most people were interested in our weighted blankets, but the over 40 or over 50 women said to their mates, “Honey, you try it.”  When he said, “This feels great; pick me up in two hours” the women often said, “Okay, you get a twin size for your side of the bed and you can have the comforter too.”

I learned that all women, on the spectrum or not, go through the stages of womanly life together.  Women with autism or Asperger’s go through the monthly visit from Aunt Flo, some choose to go through childbirth (as I did twice), we get the dreaded pap smear done, and yes, we go through menopause.

Helen Reddy sang, “I am woman; hear me roar.”  Well, when I get a hot flash, I roar louder.  For you youngsters, life really does begin at 40.  Some have children leaving home so they do like I did and start a business or they have had a career and start a family.

The old-fashioned euphemism of “going through the change” has a new meaning for me.  It’s usually a time of life to celebrate because we have a new understanding of ourselves, start on new adventures, and we have the life experience to do it.

So, go for it because you’re on fire!