The Asperger's Difference

Produced by the Center for Spectrum Services, The Asperger's Difference focuses on 13-year-old Annie, 16-year-old Noah, and 19-year-old Jeffrey—all bright and articulate teens who introduce themselves, discuss their interests, and recall how they found out they had Asperger's syndrome. Through their stories, this educational documentary attempts to define Asperger's (symptoms of which vary from one person to another), while also exploring some of the condition's characteristic strengths and challenges. As the narrator notes, the program might even help those who don't quite fit the diagnosis but share some of the traits, such as fidgeting, problems with communicating, and trouble with eye contact. According to Annie, who prefers to socialize with adults, “I'm not the life of the party; I'm the death of it.” Jeffrey isn't so hard on himself, although he does find slang and metaphors confusing (like many with Asperger's, Jeffrey does best with unambiguous language). Both Jeffrey and Noah find it easier to chat with friends over the Internet, where they aren't distracted by facial cues and verbal inflections. All three have struggled with symptoms that mimic obsessive-compulsive disorder, such as Annie's need to repeatedly watch The Phantom of the Opera and Jeffrey's inability to stop playing video games. The film points out that despite the deficits, people with Asperger's tend to compensate with superior memorization and reading comprehension skills, among other beneficial abilities. Offering an informative and personal overview of the topic, this is recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (K. Fennessy)