Asperger’s Syndrome?

Sent: Monday, August 18, 2003 9:22 PM
Subject: Asperger's Syndrome?

Dr. Baughman,

Are you familiar with a new "pervasive developmental disorder"
called Asperger's Syndrome?  Apparently, if a subject does
not enjoy making vacuous small talk about pop culture, has
interests which differ from an (unspecified) approved
list or shows in-depth interest in any topic, displays
"excessive" knowledge while answering a question, is not
overly concerned with what others think and is resistant
to peer pressure, then the subject is considered to have a
disability and in need of psychotropic drug therapy.

It seems as though admirable qualities of an independent,
serious minded, intelligent mature individual have now
been turned, Orwellian style, into deficiencies which
require drastic remediation.

I have found your commentary on ADHD quite useful and was
wondering what you thought of Asperger's Syndrome.
Could you comment?

Sign me,
A Concerned Parent
####@aol.com

[Fred A. Baughman Jr., MD:
this variant of autism is not associated with a demonstrable brain/body
abnormality, is not a disease/abnormality, does not therefore require,
justify medical treatment. fb]