New Sherlock series equating Asperger's with sociopaths?

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They've started airing the new BBC series Sherlock here in the US and I just watched the first episode. I had read that this contemproary Sherlock was suppose to be more "Aspergerian" and so I cringed at other characters calling him a psychopath earlier in the episode. But I thought maybe they wanted to portray Sherlock as misunderstood for being austistic.

But then there's the scene in Sherlock's apartment hen someone mutters "Our favorite psychopath" and Sherlock quickly comes back, in a very glib and un-Aspie manner, with "I'm not a psychopath--I'm a high-functioning sociopath." What are we to think of this? It made me very uncomfortable, to be honest.

Sociopaths aren't "high-functioning" yet Aspies are. Aspies aren't glib like this Sherlock, yet sociopaths are. It seems writer Steven Moffatt seems to be intentionally blurring these distinctions, pehaps implying they are really the same thing.

Anyone else see this? What did you think? If you have Asperger's, did this make you uncomfortable too?

Sherlock, at least in this version, doesn't really care about people, because it gets in the way of a case. Or at least that is the facade he puts out (Moriarty claims otherwise, and of course Sherlock does show other more human qualities, especially where Watson is involved). So calling himself a sociopath rather than an Aspie would probably work better in not only explaining how he can think like a criminal, but also allow him, in theory, to get away with his more callous behaviours.

That being said, the version in the books and in the Guy Ritchie film are more like higher-functioning Aspies.

I think it warrants complaints to the show's producers.

It is detrimental to us when people spread misconceptions about AS.

Haven't seen it yet but reading the postings here I am worried a bit - a friend of mine wrote me a message about a week ago, recommending Sherlock and saying, quote: 'you and him would be like two peas in a pot'.
Now I am really troubled.

I watched the series and enjoyed it very much.

Of course, though, no one in Holmes' day even knew what Asperger's was. And as I recall, even Hans Asperger himself described his research subjects as psychopaths. Though back then, psychopath had a different meaning than it does today.

-Bill, otherwise known as Kraichgauer

Having watched the first two episodes of "Sherlock," I think the description of him as a sociopath is closer than labeling him an Aspie. He clearly is able to understand social norms and use them to manipulate people whenever it suits his purpose. (This fits with the original character of Sherlock, who was a tremendously good actor.)

As hard as it may be to believe, sociopaths are also misunderstood people as well. True, the majority of violent felons fit the criteria for sociopathy, but the truth is most sociopaths aren't violent, they just have a reckless disregard for others, and have a tendency to be impulsive. They might accidentally kill somebody (like running them over with their car), but they won't feel bad about it. Fred Phelps (along with his congregation) could be considered a sociopath, as well as The Situation on Jersey Shore and Sarah Palin.

Also, there is a difference between a psychopath and a sociopath. Psychopaths have a neurological component to their antisocial behavior, whereas sociopaths might have started out normal but later learned to be antisocial. Also, while psychopaths do have a neurological disorder, they too can function in society. I saw a bit on 60 Minutes where a criminology professor with a history of psychopathy in his family did a CAT scan of his brain and revealed that he had the same neurological activity endemic to psychopaths, but lived a normal life with a steady job and a family of his own (then again, he might have had a double life nobody knew about).

Perhaps the biggest difference between Aspergers and sociopathy/psychopathy is that the latter are very good at socializing with others and can use their social knowledge to manipulate those around them. One could argue that sociopaths aren't capable of being self-sufficiant and need to exploit others, so they have to be highly social. With autistic spectrum disorders the opposite seems to be the case.

What network is showing the series? I am interested in checking this out.

He was a sociopath, not a psychopath.
Self-proclaimed.
He tells the guy who calls him a psychopath 'i'm actually a high-functioning sociopath, do your research!'

Loved that series.

I watched the series on the internet some months ago and when sherlock said he was a sociopath i imediately questioned my own diagnosis. I keep asking people who know me if they think Im a sociopath not a aspie but they have all said Im an aspie.

Who knows, its a fictional character he can have whatever diagnosis the writers give him.