Recently I’ve been reading on the subject of autism and Asperger syndrome. Although there are certain similarities between the two, Asperger syndrome patients usually find themselves a place in the society, meet a partner and may even have children.
Both types are characterised by the lack of social skills, in particular; however, Asperger syndrome strikes me as an attempt to clinically explain the inability or the lack of desire to join the ranks of society, to socialise on the accepted terms, and to see things in a customary way.
Yesterday I was reading a chapter in a parents’ manual sold in WHSmith, and one example was quite funny. A teacher asked the Aspergerian boy “Do you have time?”, the boy replied “Yes”, and the teacher complained that the boy was rude.
Apparently, people with Asperger syndrome tend to either take things seriously or not see the seriousness of the issue. They may find something funny when it isn’t and fail to laugh at a real joke. They can take things literally (e.g. pull their socks). They may not be able to see the situation through another’s eyes. They will have difficulties establishing social contacts, building and maintaining relationships, and generally, they will have issues with being accepted. But they can also focus on whatever they are passionate about to the degree when they are capable of producing something astonishing.
The problem is, because of their idiosyncrasies these people are likely to be treated as misfits or even disabled.
My issue isn’t about stating that someone have a certain condition that make them too different for their own good. My issue is that this has to be described and analysed as a special condition rather than a completely natural way for a person to express themselves, even if it appears odd.
Because if you ask someone if they have time, the response is either “yes” or “no”. If this wasn’t the answer you were after, ask them what time it is.
