Remember that the non-verbal clues you are sending are not being reliably received. Tone of voice, body language, facial expressions and sarcasm may be missed. Phrases like "He's hot" may be misunderstood to designate a febrile gentleman. The range of disablility is wide and the diagnosis is trendy right now. Yes, it is a diagnosis in ICD-9 299.80 and in DSM there are the diagnostic requirements:
The following is from Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM IV
(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."
Interestingly, and with much controversy, the diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome will be eliminated in the next version of the DSM and it will instead be rolled into a widened definition of Autism Spectrum Disorder. No one expects the term to be abandoned as it is useful to communicate a set of characteristics which are different than those with more severe autistic impairment. This really is more about insurance and billing than about care, research, and education. Each person, whether "on the spectrum" or not has strengths and weaknesses. If you find that you are at a point in your life where the behaviors of your friend are causing you to wish to lessen your involvement I think that is what you do. If you wish to explain your choice to your friend try to be clear in your word choices as being subtle won't work as well if she really has Asperger's.
If your objection is really to the non-stop science lectures and changes of subject where you can't interrupt even if you try... You may be too polite. You may need to be very direct as "It is now my turn to talk and yours to listen"
|