JayCat wrote:
Furthermore, have a look at how broad the DSM IV definition is,
http://www.autreat.com/dsm4-aspergers.htmlSo, why does the BBC article argue that Einstein is not.
Quote:
I) Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:
(A) marked impairments in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body posture, and gestures to regulate social interaction
(B) failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level
(C) a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interest or achievements with other people, (e.g.. by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest to other people)
(D) lack of social or emotional reciprocity
(II) Restricted repetitive & stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following:
(A) encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus
(B) apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals
(C) stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g. hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements)
(D) persistent preoccupation with parts of objects
(III) The disturbance causes clinically significant impairments in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
(IV) There is no clinically significant general delay in language (E.G. single words used by age 2 years, communicative phrases used by age 3 years)
(V) There is no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or in the development of age-appropriate self help skills, adaptive behavior (other than in social interaction) and curiosity about the environment in childhood.
(VI) Criteria are not met for another specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder or Schizophrenia."
About Einstein:
I A - never heard anything about that
I B - yes (at least as a child)
I C - perhaps
I B - yes (at least as a child)
II A - perhaps (a problem with that is to define exactly when an interest is "stereotyped and restricted"; I don't know enough of Einstein's life to know if he was obsessed with a narrow topic or if he was more of the generalist type*)
II B/C/D - perhaps, but heard anything about that
III - apparently not
IV - speech delay; in this point, Einstein could be classical autistic or PDD/NOS, but not Aspie
V - who knows?
* the same about Newton, btw (if anything, the case for "restricted interests" is more weak in Newton: after all, is spite of is main interest being probably mysticism/end-of-world/occultism, he was also interested in other issues, like some sciences)
19 Aug 2011, 9:02 am
