I have a dear dear friend who has a son with Asperger’s Syndrome. You have to educate this child every day on what is and is not appropriate social interaction.
Asperger’s Syndrome is an inability to determine appropriate responses to feedback. The Asperger’s sufferer does not grasp subtleties such as sarcasm. They cannot properly read and interpret visual cues such as body language. The Asperger’s sufferer sees the world as very black and white. They say what is on their mind - if they observe something good they say so. If they observe something inappropriate they say so.
Yes, the Asperger’s sufferer can come across as an “asshole” and a “loud mouth jerk” to a casual observer. The difference is that the Asperger’s sufferer almost always lacks the requisite “attitude” and intent to be a jerk or an asshole. They truly do not understand that they are being rude.
The thing about people with “Asperger’s Syndrome” is that they are well able to learn a lot of other things. In fact, they are often very intelligent. What is amazing is that they just can’t get a clue about being an “a$$hole.”
That’s why I think it’s bunk. I think “Asperger’s Syndrome” people ARE a$$holes who have figured out how to game the system. In the past, they’d get the snot kicked out of them, and they’d knock it off. Smack a kid across the mouth, and it gets his attention. Have a kid get into a fight and get beat up at school for being a jackass, and he learns.
NONE of that exists anymore - on pain of jail.
“Asperger’s Syndrome” people have figured that out. At whatever age, they realized that the bottom line is that they were NEVER going to be seriously stopped for being an a$$hole. And so my interpretation of what an “Asperger’s Syndrome” person is is simple: they are sadists. They know how to psychologically and emotionally hurt people, they ARE well aware of social conventions, and they violate them for sheer enjoyment.
Add some antidepressants to the mix, and the last vestiges of guilt or shame are chemically erased.