Asperger's, Androgyny and 2d/4d Digit Ratio

Research last year, described in the link below, showed an association of androgynous physical features and "high functioning" individuals on the Autism Spectrum.

http://keithsneuroblog.blogspot.com/2012/08/autism-gender-defiant-disorder.html?spref=fb  
 
A fairly easy objective measurement of androgyny presented in the description of the study linked above is 2d/4d digit ratio, on the right hand. A lower ratio is considered more of a biological male trait than female trait.

Simon Baron Cohen and associates, early last decade, found low digit ratio associated with individuals diagnosed with Autistic Disorder in research that was conducted, however the ratios among people diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome did not provide the same low correlation. 

There is research by Andrew Whitehouse, from Australia, that suggests that high levels of exposure to prenatal testosterone, which is also associated with low 2d/4d digit ratio, is correlated with language development delays in males.  Interestingly, high levels of exposure to prenatal testosterone among females, in his study, were reported as providing a protective effect on language development.

Whitehouse and associates are currently conducting research, in a five year longitudinal study, associated with exposure to prenatal testosterone specific to individuals on the spectrum.

A subjective judgment of Androgyny can be difficult because a personal assessment is usually based on facial characteristics which according to the study linked above was more highly identified among females with "high functioning" autism as compared to males.

To measure 2d/4d digit ratio one can use a metric ruler and measure from the finger tip to the crease of the right hand, and divide the measurement of the index finger by the ring finger. For example a 75 millimeter index finger divided by a 80 millimeter ring finger would be .9375.

I have been interested in the association of Androgyny and Asperger's for years, and created an informal poll for people reporting a diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome from the Wrong Planet website, to assess their digit ratios.  A very interesting discussion and results from the poll is linked below.

http://www.wrongplanet.net/postt215625.html



Autism, the Internet and "Ideological First Identity", a Collection of Thoughts:

http://katiemiaaghogday.blogspot.com/2013/05/autism-internet-and-ideological-first.html

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