Is Asperger's Syndrome a culture-bound syndrome?

[BronxJoey10461]

There is no difference whatsoever.
I ask this because the "disorder" seems to be restricted to white Westerners. Only in Western society could this be a disorder because the very definition of AS is defined in terms of violation of Western codes of socialization (i.e. introversion in extraverted cultures - where extraversion is expected, introversion is labeled a disease). Furthermore, it seems to be strongly associated with the white, Western notion of 'nerdiness' and thus you never see a black "Aspie." 99.9% of "Aspies" are white, middle-class college-aged nerds from the US, UK, Canada, etc. This should not be surprising as I'm sure African American culture is far less accepting of nerdiness than rich white families in suburban America.

I think it is time for Asperger's to be removed from the DSM as was homosexuality. It is simply a personality type that is encouraged and fostered by white Western culture.
I challenge anyone who responds to this question to describe the difference between AS and the Myers-Briggs INTJ personality. I DARE you.

 

[Daisy]

I agree. I know it's defined as a form of autism but with less side- effects. There's a numerous amount of possibilities... It's rather like the comparison to ADD. Evolution states that the more anti- viral medicines we create, the more our bodies develops new viruses. I think the more laziness, video games, and lack of parental skills we create, the dumber our society becomes (also creating lovely new disorders for the books).

 

[Julia]

I agree, but something that I also find unnerving is the fact that people have romanticised it so much. along with providing an unnecessary 'excuse' for shyness and introversion, it also gives one the sense that they must be a genius of some sort (considering that that's one of the cited 'symptoms')

I've known people who are mildly socially awkward and highly intelligent/very knowledgeable convinced that they have Aspergers' when they clearly don't. It's a strange phenomenon.