Asperger's and HFA Characters, pt. 1

I made this video basically because I was too tired to concentrate on anything important, but I didn't want to take a nap and mess up my sleep cycle. I think about this kind of stuff a lot.

You can maybe observe how when I don't have a ton of energy, it's hard for me to remember what words I want to use, or I forget/get lost in the middle of ideas. I don't really know where that comes from or what it means. I first noticed it when I was 14 or 15; I don't know if I had it before. I'm reading a book that says working memory is not very good in ASD people so that may be related.

Edited to add: "Rowling has often said that Luna is the 'anti-Hermione,' as Luna believes things on faith alone, while Hermione grounds her views on facts and logic." (Wikipedia) This is another reason a character like Luna would never be intentionally written as ASD, because the stereotypical view of ASDs is, as I've mentioned several times, that of a super-logical, emotionless atheist. Hermione is a VERY good example of how someone can be super-logical and speak in a didactic way, while still being typical or even gifted when it comes to sensing what other people are feeling. Luna is a very good example of how someone can have more faith-based opinions and come off as very dreamy, but still be impaired in her ability to sense other people's feelings. It's also of note, I think, that a)young girls with Asperger's are more likely to be obsessed with animals and fantasy stories than the stereotypical male obsessions of subways and trains, and b)people with ASDs often have trouble "seeing the big picture" or knowing which pieces of information are the most important; as a result, they may get distracted by the details of a task or situation and have trouble choosing a method/response. Luna's interest in the Quiddler and Crumple-Horned Snorkacks could be described as an interest in fantasy stories and animals, and her Quidditch commentary is obviously made funny and unique by the fact that she's unable to pick out the "important," Quidditch-related events from everything else she sees and thinks about while watching the game.

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• asperger's
• high-functioning
• autism
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• incident
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[wiredeweirde]

Liked this video... Another book to avoid is 'House Rules' by Jodi Picoult. Though I appreciate her linguistic talent, the boy in the book diagnosed with AS isn't "himself", but, as you said, a list of symptoms. Plus, some of her information is inaccurate. (For instance, she says people with Asperger's can be nonverbal, while the difference between Asperger's and high-functioning autism is primarily the language delay...)

[gorramdoll]

@wiredeweirde yeah, that book sounds mega dumb. do you read the blog "cat in a dog's world"--she wrote some posts criticizing it.

[misstiggykins]

I loved this video. I have an ASD (and also an eating disorder - not unusual in people with ASDs). I enjoyed Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, but I agree that it represents an extreme. Also, the main character is a boy - as you point out. Have you read Tony Attwood's work? He describes the differences between girls and boys with ASDs really well. Girls philosphise a lot, in a logical manner, and as you say, we learn to hide our social difficulties because it's expected.

[gorramdoll]

wow, that sounds really interesting. I'd like to read his stuff.

I didn't know about eating disorders being common in ASD people. It's probably as a result of there being so little writing about ASD women since EDs are so much more common in women.

[lewisktownsend]

what about Adrian Monk from Monk? I don't know if he's ever been called Aspergers or whatever but I relate to him. He is portrayed with a lot more issues than just autistic type symptoms but he seems to fit in my mind. Also, I like Mr Bean and his super creative ways of accomplishing simple tasks and apparent difficulty being appropriate in social situations. I know these shows both use the symptoms as the brunt of the comedy but that doesn't bother me.

[ProJanitor]

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[FungalSheep]

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[ProJanitor]

Show me your ass burgers

[1993MovieMan]

I don`t even like Asperger`s being termed as A " Disorder " as if we have Some Kind of " Disease " just `cause we`re " Different " ! Screw Conformity and Mediocrity !

[rdoearth]

you know, everytime I see your face in a clip I think "wow, she's cute" not realizing I've already seen your face a number of times already on youtube. Great vids btw, and I am trying to learn more about Apies as I believe I may be one.

[susas99]

I have watched Big Bang Theory, and that character is really odd. I don't know if he really does have Asperger's, but I certainly agree that he is acting as himself. He may be one of many non-diagnosed adults with Asperger's. Assuming he is, I think the producers of the show either don't know that he has Asperger's or won't accept the fact; or the actor himself will not accept it, doesn't want to know, or doesn't want others to know. There are many people who are in the same situation. My dad is

[susas99]

Understand that I have been diagnosed as having Asperger's, but I only got diagnosed as a young adult. There are a few people who are actually like the stereotypes, but I agree that the focus on these negative stereotypes does distort the view of reality many people have and that is dangerous. I also dislike the focus many activists have on autistic functioning. HFA seems like another way of saying these people aren't functioning right.

[susas99]

The most severely impaired person with Asperger's I have ever met or heard of was probably the 15 year old girl who I met at an ice cream shop with our moms. Unfortunately she was actually like many of the worst stereotypes about people with Asperger's. Especially the fact that her family was broken up and she is a real danger to herself and her family (especially her mom). Personally I didn't feel threatened by her, but I know that most people in my situation probably would have.

[Maxtcarson]

You're brilliant!