Simon Tam = Asperger's?
POSTED BY: Miku
UPDATED: Monday, October 14, 2013 04:10
VIEWED: 17451
PAGE 2 of 6
Quote:
Originally posted by Sofi:
had a kinda poetry to it
It's so nice to have people around that know the cues!
One day.
One mission.
One army of Browncoats.
On June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.
http://serenityjune23rd.com/
On June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.
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Mild aspergers could very well result in a person like Simon. Very brilliant, but somewhat socially stunted. (In fact, a lot of people with aspergers are not diagnosed)
I think a lot of you other posters just don't have the experience to say yes or no.
(I have an autistic son...further down the spectrum from aspergers.)
I say it is possible that Simon has mild aspergers.
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Quote:
Originally posted by UnregisteredCompanion:
Mild aspergers could very well result in a person like Simon. Very brilliant, but somewhat socially stunted. (In fact, a lot of people with aspergers are not diagnosed)
I think a lot of you other posters just don't have the experience to say yes or no.
That may be so, but I've worked rather extensively with Aspergers kids.My nephew is Aspergers and attends a summer camp that I aid for every year. (I also believe firmly that ALOT of Aspergers and Autistics are mis-diagnosed, but we won't go into that.)
I don't see it in Simon. Social retardation from a stilted upbringing, yes. Aspergers, no.
And yes, I debated about using the term 'sufferer". They are not victims. They are capable human beings who just happen to percieve the world differently than some of the rest of us.
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Simon doesn't have Asparger's at all. He's just a product of his upbringing and too much time spent in a Core hospital like most doctors in training.
My 16 year old daughter has mild Asparger's and is so literal that most jokes go over her head. Everything is black or white and there are no shades of gray. If something interests her there is no stopping her but if it doesn't there is no hope. I wish you could see her report card. Every grade from A-D depending on the subject.
She jumps at loud sounds-like the air conditioner coming on, don't even mention thunder storms-lives in sweats, gets more than a bit preterbed when her schedule changes, gets uncomfortable around more than 2 people and her best friend is the computer.
One day.
One plan.
One army of Browncoats.
On June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.
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As a digression (my specialty!), I sell on eBay and have for several years now, and I cannot believe how many people I have "met" through eBay who have Asperger disorder. They've found their niche: They are able to handle the communication as long as it is online and they have time to think through how they should respond to input without the stress of reading normal social cues. Most of them seem to do very well there.
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I'm gonna see Serenity then
go back the next morning and see it again.
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C'mon Universal, and greenlight the sequel!
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Now that I've had a few more minutes to think about it Simon really does seem to be a product of his upbringing. If anyone has ever been to a small Southern town, especially 15-20 years ago or more, there is a long list of societial expectations and pressure especially for the wealthy of the town.
The sons can act up away from town and at college but once they return in their 20's they are expected to be at least as successful as their family or more so, marry into a "good" family and raise their children the same way.
I expect Simon was raised with "Core" values that were similar, to be a success at his profession, have a suitable marriage, and have "perfect" children.
I'm not going to mention the expectations for women of that class but they are similar.
One day.
One plan.
One army of Browncoats.
On June 23rd, we aim to misbehave.
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As a licensed Master Social Worker (also with a BA in Psychology) who has exerience in diagnosis AND who has worked extensively with children on the Autism spectrum, including Asperger's, since 1998, I can say that I truly doubt that Simon has Asperger's.
Based on the DSM-IV criteria, Simon would have to show a clinically siginificant impairment in social interactions AND restrictive or repetitive stereotypes of behavior or interests, both of which cause clinically significant impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of life.
Simon does NOT show these impairments. He is capable of developing and maintaining relationships (as shown with River, Kaylee, Inara and even Mal), understands empathy (feeling bad when he discovers River's amygdala has been stripped), engages in social reciprocity (the give and take of flirting with Kaylee, and general conversational skills (i.e. knowing when it is his turn to speak, not always having to command the conversation, etc.)), and is able to enjoy (and seeks out) the company of others (going to Inara in the pilot for counsel, hanging out with Kaylee in OIS, etc.). He does not perseverate on only one subject (for example, he is able to focus on the safety of his sister while also performing doctoral duties and forming a relationship with Kaylee and the rest of the crew). He is not inflexible to changes in routines (for example, when Zoe gets hurt in OOG, he doesn't say "No, this is my birthday and it's time to blow out the candles," he is able to adapt to a new and unplanned situation with ease). He most certainly doesn't show repetitive movements or lack of eye contact, or strange body postures, or preoccupation with parts or objects.
Simon may be socially awkward at times (and who isn't?), but he does NOT meet the criteria for Asperger's.
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Quote:
Originally posted by LaughingMuse:
I don't know. When he's in his element, he has no problem relating to people. We also haven't really seen him under "normal" circumstances, either. He's constantly been stressed out about keeping his sister safe. That could make him even less open, less outgoing, than he might be under normal circumstances.
I agree that when Simon is "in his element" he can relate to other people fine. Remember in "Ariel", when he was guideing River to the examination room, he came across a young doctor who had administered the wrong drug to a patient. The way Simon jumped in and took control to save the patient is a true example of Sime Tam in his element, IMHO.
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Wash: Closing in.
Zoe: Planet's coming up a might fast.
Wash: That's just 'cause I'm goin' down too quick. Likely crash and kill us all.
Mal: Well, if that happens, let me know.
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Thanks KellyofLuthien.
You said it far better than I did. :)
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I am a child psychiatrist and deal with individuals with Asperger's on a daily basis. While a good thought, I would have to say that he does not meet criteria for the diagnosis. I tend to agree that his social awkwardness is due to his intelligence and his social upbringing. . . . for what it is worth :D
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