José The Aspie?

The following is a self-analysis of how the DSM clinical description of Asperger’s Syndrome applies to José.


A.
1. marked impairments in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction

Not a marked impairment, but definitely underdeveloped. I very often misunderstand nonverbal behavior.


2. failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level

Not failure, but definite impairment.


3. a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (e.g. by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest to other people)

Just as with most other humans, this can happen to me at times, but my best response would be not really.


4. lack of social or emotional reciprocity

I wouldn’t say lack, but definitely underdeveloped. My behavior in many contexts (not karaoke, however) has been interpreted as selfish, egotistical, and narcissistic, even though I don’t necessarily see myself that way.

So for the four parts of A, I (arguably) meet as many as three, and as few as none.


B. Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:

1. encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus

This trait can also be characterized has having a “single-minded” focus. Unfortunately, quite often this quality applies to negative issues, and not positive ones. For example, when this is applied to the drive to make money, it is universally seen as a quality to which to aspire. But when it comes to feeling victimized by the world, it is not good from anyone’s perspective. For me, I’d have to say yes.


2. apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals

These are also called superstitions, aren’t they? The fictional character “Rainman” portrayed by Dustin Hoffman, had to wear a certain kind of underwear from a certain store in his hometown, had to eat a certain meal on a given day of the week, had to watch certain television shows at certain times, etc. It is theorized that aspies/autistics do this to give themselves comfort, because the world is a strange and incomprehensible place.

I do many things of questionable utility, but I’m no slave to ritual. For example, when I’m finished watching a VHS tape, I always forward the tape to the end before rewinding, even if the tape is nearly at the beginning. When I eat pretzel sticks, I pick them up 5 at a time, every time, unless I consciously make an effort not to do so. So if I am forced to pick one answer, I’d have to say no, because not adhering to ritual does not traumatize me the way it does other aspies/autistics. But ritualistic behavior does seem innate to me.


3. stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements)

This is also called “stimming”. My toesies are in constant repetitive motion, and I run my hands thru my hair the same way very often, but my stimming is not as apparent as with other aspies/autistics. Regardless, I’d have to say yes to this one, even though I seem borderline (as with most of the other qualities of the aspie).


4. persistent preoccupation with parts of objects

I am not a tactile person, and I don’t seem to have a need (or even desire) to break things apart (though I do separate my M&M’s into their various colors before eating them). Regardless, I’ll say no for this one because it’s not as apparent as with other aspies/autistics, but I’m still borderline in some sense.

So that’s (arguably) two out of four on part B.


C. The disturbance causes clinically significant impairments in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning

I don’t know what exactly is meant by “clinically significant impairment”, but it does create real problems for me.


D. There is no clinically significant general delay in language (e.g., single words used by age 2 years, communicative phrases used by age 3 years)

E. There is no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or in the development of age-appropriate self-help skills, adaptive behavior (other than social interaction), and curiosity about the environment in childhood

F. Criteria are not met for another specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder or Schizophrenia

My answers are yes, yes, and from what I know of schizophrenia, I’d have to say yes.

Therefore, the conclusion is that I am borderline aspie, and therefore wouldn’t meet the diagnostic criteria for Asperger’s Syndrome. However, no one could deny that I am “Aspie-like”.