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Thoughts on West Wing character Toby Ziegler and mild AS

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TobyZ
Toucan
Toucan

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Joined: 6 Apr 2009
Age: 55
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07 Apr 2009, 5:32 pm

Hello. I've been focused on adult males with AS who found out late in life when facing another failed relationship and looking for possible causes.

For anyone who has watched West Wing multiple times, I would like to suggest that the character of Toby Ziegler seems to have many of the symptoms and problems of AS. I don't think his character was written with AS in mind, but with 1 in 200 having it, wouldn't be surprised if one of the writers of the show had it diagnosed or undiagnosed and was putting his own life into the story.

Now this presumes a certain personality type with AS where the person works hard against the disorder. They overcompensate. Especially as they are older and never having been diagnosed.

Anyone care to take this topic seriously? Anyone else feel an association with that character?



dougn
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07 Apr 2009, 8:42 pm

It's been a very, very long time since I've watched the West Wing, but I do identify with Toby.

Unfortunately, it has been so long since I watched it (years before AS was on my radar) that I really can't elaborate.

Interestingly, I think my mother mentioned at the time that Toby reminded her of me.