I have talked recently about the association between high IQ and Asperger traits. I wouldn't be surprised if quite a few people on a forum like this one, who like intense discussion about specialised interests, had Asperger's syndrome.
Here are a few common signs typically found among Aspies.
This is not a diagnostic test, just telling signs. You could be an Aspie if you have at least half of these traits. To be sure, you can take one of these more official online tests: RAADS-R, Aspie Quiz (available in 13 languages), or AQ test.
EDIT:
Asperger's syndrome can be compared to a puzzle - each piece representing a trait associated with a particular variant of a gene. You don't need to have the full puzzle to be called an Aspie. Diagnostically having 50 to 60% of the traits is sufficient for someone to be considered an Aspie. Asperger tend to run in families and its heritability is about 50%.
Here are 10 more common traits found among Aspies:
The character of Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory is probably the best known Hollywood impersonation of someone with Asperger's syndrome (who also happens to have high IQ and OCD), although he depicts a rather 'heavy' case of Asperger (nearly full puzzle, to use the metaphor above) with very rigid routines and dislikes, very immature empathy, and quite pronounced quirks of behaviour. Yet, some of Sheldon's idiosyncrasies are not necessarily related to Asperger. For example the fact that he can't understand sarcasm doesn't seem to be a common Aspie trait.
Here are a few common signs typically found among Aspies.
- You like role playing games (board version or video games like Zelda and Final Fantasy)
- You prefer animals to people (especially cats)
- You dislike team sports
- You get tired quickly when talking to people
- You dislike places that are too noisy, bright or have strong smells
- You prefer to be alone at home than to socialise with large groups of people
- You have intense interests and can talk about them for hours
- You use formal language and have an unusual prosody, pitch or tone
- You like to quote sentences from films/movies or sitcoms or to imitate other people
- You point to people's mistakes because you consider that the truth is more important than people's feelings
This is not a diagnostic test, just telling signs. You could be an Aspie if you have at least half of these traits. To be sure, you can take one of these more official online tests: RAADS-R, Aspie Quiz (available in 13 languages), or AQ test.
EDIT:
Asperger's syndrome can be compared to a puzzle - each piece representing a trait associated with a particular variant of a gene. You don't need to have the full puzzle to be called an Aspie. Diagnostically having 50 to 60% of the traits is sufficient for someone to be considered an Aspie. Asperger tend to run in families and its heritability is about 50%.
Here are 10 more common traits found among Aspies:
- You tend to take things too literally
- You often don't get other people's jokes and they don't understand yours
- You are or have been called a nerd or a geek
- You like collecting stuff or making lists of things you are interested in
- You like classical music or other instrumental music (without lyrics)
- You object to illogical rules and may refuse to follow them as they are stupid
- You prefer reading non-fiction than fiction
- You are very interested in computers and technologies
- As a child you often preferred the company of adults or slightly younger kids than people your own age
- You have an excellent memory, especially for facts (but not necessarily for things you have to do)
The character of Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory is probably the best known Hollywood impersonation of someone with Asperger's syndrome (who also happens to have high IQ and OCD), although he depicts a rather 'heavy' case of Asperger (nearly full puzzle, to use the metaphor above) with very rigid routines and dislikes, very immature empathy, and quite pronounced quirks of behaviour. Yet, some of Sheldon's idiosyncrasies are not necessarily related to Asperger. For example the fact that he can't understand sarcasm doesn't seem to be a common Aspie trait.
Last edited: