Asperger's Syndrome

[p3titexburial]

Yup, autism, pddnos, and aspergers are related, but different enough that they are categorized on their own. I'm a psych major and we have classes exclusively on the topic of autism and related illnesses, and the only sure thing about it is that it really is an extremely broad spectrum. So much that many psychologists think that most, if not everyone, exhibits to a certain extent the symptoms that are described for aspergers, the only difference being severity and how much it affects one's life. A psychological issue doesn't become an issue until it negatively impacts a person's quality of life.

i.e. a phobia of flying isn't an issue that needs treatment for someone who doesn't travel, but it is if the person needs it for work. Or, if someone is petrified of clowns, the only time it may matter is if they work for the circus.

The criteria for it is also very broad, and just because someone diagnosed has one symptom doesn't mean he/she will necessarily have another. It makes it very difficult to distinguish normal behavior from ones related to aspergers--for example, if someone have problems understanding metaphors or sarcasm, but are extremely social (yet slightly awkward,) and though he/she exhibits some fixation on certain topics, he/she is able to hold great conversation on others, they may be clumsy meeting new people, but don't lack the motivation to do so--some psychologists may diagnose this is aspergers, some may not.

We may think this is normal behavior because who hasn't been in that awkward stage where you're clumsy in everything you do and catch onto things a bit slow? Who doesn't have certain topics that are loved and just a bit obsessed over? Then again, if it causes issues in their relationships and affect the general well being of their lives, then it might become necessary to seek help for it.

Then you have some who have more severe symptoms, like having difficulty empathizing with others, may appear insensitive, have repetitive movements, fixate or obsess over a topic, and have issues understanding figurative speech--but what of it? They may still be social, have friends, and live through life undiagnosed but happy, and as it has been shown over and over again, the majority are also incredibly smart and intellectual.

Sometimes we're too much in a hurry to categorize and place a name on things, we forget that it may not be as severe as it may seem. A diagnosis isn't something to be sad or unhappy or feel stigmatized about, rather it simply sheds light on how to cope with it better. If you're someone who other people think is insensitive because certain behaviors don't come intuitively to you, it gives you a chance to be aware of it and correct it when you can.

Like everyone else said, they might appear a little quirky, but hey, that's character.