Asperger’s Syndrome Madness, Savantism, or Genius

. Asperger’s Syndrome: Madness, Savantism, or Genius? Marilou Bauer Ottawa University Physiological Psychology PSY 31354 Dr. John Papazafiropoulos June 11, 2012 Asperger’s Syndrome: Madness, Savantism or Genius? Everyone knows, or has known, a person that could be described as a little â€Å"off†, â€Å"quirky†, or â€Å"eccentric†. That was the person who was socially inept, shy, studious, and may have had a stutter. They might have had an artistic talent, or may have seemed almost a â€Å"genius† in mathematics or science. More than likely, that person was considered a â€Å"geek† or â€Å"nerd†. That person may have had a mild form of high functioning autism called Asperger’s syndrome, and they might not have known it until recently. Asperger’s†¦show more content†¦However there is evidence that people are being diagnosed with this condition even though they have no problem with learning how to speak fluently and/or they have a high verbal IQ. Recommendations for several revisions in the listing and diagnostic criteria have been made, for the fifth revised issue of the DSM, that are causing quite a bit of controversy and could result in Asperger’s syndrome either being â€Å"subsumed under the category of ‘autism spectrum disorder’ or becoming a separate condition from autism (Chew, 2010). The Genius of Asperger’s Syndrome People with this disorder are affected in different ways. The strengths of Asperger’s, according to James, include â€Å"the ability to think in unusual and enriching ways, concentration for long periods of time on a single activity, sole attention to a task and persistence with it far beyond the point at which other people would have given up† (2006, p. 11).