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Aspergers is a weird thing because when you don't get signals, they don't exist. Of course, the social cues are all there, but, they often don't make it inside the Asperger brain, so the Aspie is often oblivious to what is patently obvious to others. Almost always, Aspie's have a hard time putting themselves into the shoes of other people, and when they do, they're often confused, because they would handle the same situation differently than normal people do.

Because myriad subtle contrary cues are often missed, the Aspie (initially) takes almost everything literally at face value (a supremely trusting innocence doomed to be inevitably destroyed by adulthood experiences with non-Aspergers people).

Of course, that helps in other ways (they can get deeply into myriad non-emotional matter-of-fact cause-and-effect technical stuff, for example, because of the lack of distracting subtle signals getting in the way), but, in a discussion forum, or as a fetish counselor, being an Aspie probably spells disaster in capital letters.

Aspies often don't get subtle jokes because their nature is to always take things literally (until they learn otherwise).

They also sometimes hurt people's feelings without meaning to because they speak literally and from their standpoint only. (Sometimes that's useful, because nobody can throw shit back at someone like an Aspie can, simply because the Aspie doesn't usually know how to mince words - but - usually it's helpful to be able to see things from the side of the other person also.)

the thing is, Aspies also almost always strive to tell the truth (as they see it) to a fault!
(That's why few politicians or sales people can get away with being an Aspie.)

This nearly universal trait that Aspies live the truth serum day in and day out, is a wonderful trait - but - it certainly can and will get them into trouble in a relationship or on the forums.

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As you know, they got rid of the Asperger's classification, but that doesn't change the spectrum.

The range for social effects is huge, but, most of the kids are super sweet, innocent to a fault, and just good kids. They may look open eyed, staring off to the side as you talk to them, and obsess about this or that, but they're generally not cruel or devious kids, and the innocence, which I have myself, is what I think is their best attribute.

Of course, if we don't get social cues in person, Lord help us in online contentious discussions, but that's where confidence has to reign supreme.

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The whole Aspie thing takes on different dimensions for different kids. Some can't take affection (they don't know what to do with it); others can't take being yelled at (they're far too sensitive). Some are screeched out by having their hair cut just as many of us are when chalk is scraped across a blackboard.

Most Aspergers' kids miss out on social cues, and therefore that makes them awkward and prone to be loners. Most don't have very good fine motor skills, which makes for lousy athletes. Many can't empathize, but many can, so all these traits are the luck of the draw.

One thing that almost every Aspie has is an insane attention to detail in things that THEY are interested in (there may be no desire for detail in topics they're not drawn to). Hence this incredible attention paid to detail makes Aspies great geeks, of sorts. Probably most scientists and the best of the best (e.g., cooks, pilots, statisticians, researchers, collectors, etc.) are Aspergers.

While everyone is different, even if you can't pin your fingers on an Aspie, there will always be SOMETHING different about them, and, well, that's their charm as well as their challenge. Of course, it's HARD for Aspies to make and keep relationships, simply because of the constant give-and-take and compromise and change and doing things different and change and adapting to someone else's way of doing things and change and ... oh ... did I mention change?

Aspies, in general, don't like change. I'm different, in that respect, but most are set in their ways. They like being told hours ahead of time that they need to go to an appointment. They hate, usually, being surprised. Everything for most Aspie's needs to be routine or as routine as you can make it.

As a result, almost all Aspie's are loners in some way, shape or form. They form very few friends, and, their friends tend to be just like they are (did I mention they don't generally like change?). But they tend to hold onto their few good friends forever!

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ORIGINAL: MercTech
Asperger's... congenitally pragmatic. <grin>

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Despite speculation that Sheldon's personality traits may be consistent with Asperger syndrome, obsessive–compulsive personality disorder and asexuality,[4][6] co-creator Bill Prady has repeatedly stated that Sheldon's character was neither conceived nor developed with regard to any of these traits.The character of Sheldon Cooper was inspired by a computer programmer personally known to series co-creator Bill Prady.[7] He is named in honor of actor/producer Sheldon Leonard[8] and Nobel Prize Laureate Leon Cooper.[9] [6]

Aspergers and the Big Bang Theory show!

(in reply to crumpets)

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ORIGINAL: Cinnamongirl67

http://www.baconwrappedmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/sheldon-cooper-funny.jpg