I Think Joe Biden has Aspergers Syndrome

At least, I think Joe is as likely to autistic as Mitt Romney. More so, actually. As a way of educating each other on Aspergers syndrome and the autism spectrum, shall we have a look and compare?

(1) Inappropriate comments and bad jokes: As we know, Aspies often make clueless and inappropriate comments and bad jokes. They tend to blurt out exactly what they think without considering (or being aware of) how it will come across. Joe is well known for these. As much if not more so than Romney and his opinion of cookies. Do we all remember Joe's "articulate and clean" comment about Obama? Here is a list of "Bidenisms." I think they give Joe the edge over Romney in this. But Romney certainly has his, so we'll give him a point for that. Joe-2, Romney 1

(2) Joe is big on facts. He gathers them up, and spits them out. The numbers, the dates, the history. My gosh, this man does his research and retains it. VERY Aspie. Romney...hm. I haven't heard any research, numbers or facts from him. If he was a real Aspie, you would't be able to shut him up once he started telling you all he knew about something--anything. He'd be giving you tons of details. So. On that score Joe 3-Romney 1

(3) Hyperfocused. Relating to the above, Aspies are like bulldogs. Once they get their teeth into something it's hard to get them off it. The conversation can drift off elsewhere, but they'll stay on target like a guided missile. Biden is notorious for that--look at how he hammered at the president for gay rights, never letting up. Romney...does he ever stay on point? Joe 4--Romney 1

(4) Honest to a fault. Well. I think we have to give Romney a half-point for the cookie comment and opinion of letting Detroit go bankrupt on this one. But Joe--hell, Joe gets two points on this. He couldn't lie if he tried. Joe 6--Romney 1 1/2

(5) Independent thinking – Aspies come up with their own ideas (good, bad and crazy) which, as we see above, they stick to and blurt out. They don't go along with the crowd, often to their detriment (alas, their condition keeps them from seeing the benefit of going along with the crowd rather than keeping to their own ideas). If an Aspie believe in global warming, they're going to argue it till the cows come home (with all those details, facts, research to back 'em up). They'd never switch just to win the election. Let's see, which politician has been hurt by keeping to his own independent ideas (Aspie), and which has benefited by giving up any ideas of his own and going along with the crowd (not Aspie)...? Joe 7--Romney 1 1/2

(6) Personal motivation – Aspies certainly aren't above wanting money, but they often do things out of some strange personal motivation. Take Temple Grandin who focused so strongly on cattle and what made them tick. She never thought this would bring her wealth or fame or popularity. She had her own personal motivations. Do I need to point out who seems to have done things to gain wealth, popularity and fame rather than personal motivation that hasn't brought him much of any of those? Joe 8--Romney 1 1/2

6. Eccentricity -- Aspies rarely try to fit in with the crowd. They don't think about it, and their condition often makes them keep to habits and appearances that make them social outsiders. They're likely to wear odd clothing, have odd habits. They also tend to not be very graceful. Hm. Tough call. Joe is certainly eccentric and doesn't care. Mitt doesn't strike me as "normal" either, but he does try to pass--haircut, clothes, etc., all in line. I'll give equal points on this one. Joe 9--Romney 2 1/2

So far, the score is Biden is more likely to be Aspergers than Romney. But wait, there is one more aspect. That lack of empathy thing. You'd think that would put Romney squarely in the "he's Aspergers" camp right? But let's not be so quick on the draw with that....those with Aspergers don't lack empathy. In fact, some research suggests that they empathize too much. Which is why they cut themselves off. Like someone so sensitive to light they must wear dark glasses, or with such sensitivity to music harmonies that they can't listen to anything but classical. I'll tell you this, Temple Gandin who so empathized with cattle that she built slaughterhouses where they'd die painlessly would never, I think, have endured putting a dog on the roof of a car. She'd have researched, observed, and detailed to Romney what canines feel, think, need and how wrong an idea that was.

And while I've seen Aspies do stupid things to people and then wilt as it was pointed out how inappropriate it was to do that, I haven't seen many who egged on their friends to bully others. To the contrary, it's Aspies who usually get bullied for being so different and outside the crowd, for being honest rather than being able to lie, for holding their ground rather than shifting and believing whatever is popular to believe. That kinda negates Romney, the one who bullies outsiders.

So. Do I think Joe Biden is Aspergers? No. He's too gregarious, too much a people person. He meets people's eyes, hugs them easily, and likes being in a crowd. He's not Aspie. But as much as all that is foreign to Mitt Romney, it is common to those rich, entitled and spoilt--and who, like Mitt, have been in positions of power in religious organizations where their word was law--no Aspergers needed. I wrote this all up because I think some people are snapping to conclusions in saying that Romney has Aspergers. Even if they are doing so with some knowledge of autism and the best motives, I feel they are comparing some aspects but not others, and comparing them superficially. My point is to show that it's very easy to peg someone as Aspergers if you only cherry pick certain things and ignore a lot of others.

There are many not-so-admirable autistics in history who have been awful people and done terrible things, and they can and are pointed out, usually by other autistics. But quick, armchair diagnosis's of such in politicians like Romney often lead to misunderstanding of both the politician (if he's not Aspie, then you're making assumptions on wrong information about his motivations, right?), and autistics (i.e. all Aspies are like Mitt Romney. Shall we also say all Mormons are like him?).

I think all of the above prove that whatever bits Mitt may seem to have in common with Aspies, its not only problematic to assume he's Aspergers, but it's spreading misinformation about those with Autism to do so. You've only to watch how he meets people's eyes, calculatingly, unflinchingly, and coldly to know this. That's not something anyone with Aspergers would do...or could do.