Making Asperger's Syndrome A Disability

[IDblack]

I posted this in another form whrn I relised that this board would be more appropiate. (sorry for that, folks)

I recently did some research on Asperger's Syndrome (High Level of Function Autism) and thought it would be an interisting (and chalenging) disability to roll play.

My problem is two fold:
(1) how would I stat that on my character sheet? (would it be a pyhsical or psychological disability, it's a bit of both) and how many points should it be worth?
and
(2) How much of Asperger's Syndrome should I roll play. Asperger's Syndrome has a gamout (sp?) of symptoms, as a player which should I focus on? Any feedback is very welcome!

[Derek Hiemforth]

The first thing I'd recommend doing is checking with the other players in your group to see if any of them have a person with Asperger's Syndrome in their life (a child, a friend, a relative, etc.) If they do, this issue might hit too close to home for them to feel comfortable with someone bringing it into a game.

Assuming none of your fellow players has an objection to your trying this, I'd definitely make it a Physical Limitation as opposed to Psychological. They can't simply will themselves to behave as though they don't have Asperger's Syndrome. The old rule of thumb... if it's something you can't do, it's a Physical Limitation; if it's something you won't do, it's a Psychological Limitation. I'd make it All The Time, and either Slightly or Greatly impairing, depending on how much influence you wanted it to have on the game.

[misterdeath]

It all depends on how much you want to play it. It's possible for people with Aspergers to function relatively normally, with the right type of training.

I seem to be doing reasonably well, for example. Most of the people who don't know about Aspergers wouldn't pick out anything wrong with me.

(my recent diagnosis was quite a shock, I must admit. explains a hell of a lot about my childhood.)

So, honestly, pick what you need for cool role playing, and pick the limit based on that.

Always go with what's cool, not so much on what's realistic.

D

[Publius]

First of all, Derek and Misterdeath make good points. Sensitivity to the other players in your group is important; and if it is not a problem, a practical/pragmatic approach is best to take in choosing specifics.

After doing a bit of quick research (very quick) at the O.A.S.I.S. (Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support) Web Page here I think that there is a wide enough range of symptoms, some of which can be treated with therapy according to the page ("They are, however, able to learn social skills much like you or I would learn to play the piano." according to Lois Freisleben-Cook ), that I would bundle together whatever symptoms you think appropriate. The question of whether these will constitute psylims or physlims is dependent on which aspect of AS you choose to focus on, but looking at most of the symptoms listed in the Diagnostic Criteria section of that site I'd say they were psylims.

[death tribble]

One of my work colleagues has it although for many years it was not diagnosed. They now have social workers who come in to see them and their work colleagues

Some of it is physical but some of it is also social. And it can make the sufferer slightly obsessive and anxious. Example of this. We had a fire alert and when we came back in, they rang up and complained about how slow people were in leaving the building.

[Melchior777]

I have a brother with Asperger's Syndrome. Most people aren't to sensitive about it, imho. It affects you on several levels, so I'd have to go with the multiple limitation approach. It boils down to a lack of coordination, though he has no problem with his dexterity, as he can type faster than I can. When he gets focused on a subject or project it's very difficult to change his attention to something else. It usually takes a few moments for him to catch up to a change in topic. He also has trouble communicating ideas effectively. The reason is that he's always speaking "in context."

I'd write it up as:
Physical Limitation, Lack of coordination, slightly imparing, all the time.
Social Limitation, Trouble communicating ideas, Very frequently, minor.
Psychological Limitation, inability to change focus of attention, occurs occaisionally, intensity is moderate.

[Thag13]

Having an son suffering from Atusim, you have indeed touched on a sensative subject there.

Asperger's Syndrome has becone something of a unbrella dionosis when nothing else fits in some cases. (thats actully ture of Atusim also, its a huge blanket of disorders that gets covered for insurance reasons.)

TVs Monk is a good RPG mold for roleplaying that kinda of handicap. Just please be careful, Many player could think you were making fun of them.

I had to admit I was first quite angry, until I read the forum and understood what you were trying to do.....

Ill have some link to post later, My wife knows them all and I dont have them at my fingertips here.

of course a Google search sould find dozens....

Thanks for letting me Vent