Asperger Syndrome Characteristics Research

The text written in normal text is general information our group has researched on the internet. The bold text is information which applies to our own thriller. Whilst the italic text I have written, further linking real aspergers syndrome characteristics to details of our own thriller.

Behaviour

"They may feel different and can experience anxiety when approaching other teens, always wondering why they have such a hard time fitting in. Trying to fit in can be a frustrating process and teens with Aspergers can be drained emotionally from this. It can cause anxiety or depression and may lead to social withdrawal. They may also be immature for their age, too naive and too trusting, which makes them an easy target for teasing and bullying."

The fact that teens with Aspergers have a hard time fitting in and finding friends. feeling anxiety when approaching other teens their age leading to social withdrawal may explain why the boy is in his room when we see him in the title sequence, through out the breaking of the code he is secluded in his bedroom, because he doesn't feel comfortable and confident enough to socialise with anyone his age. 

Challenges in School

"Asperger Teens develop their thinking and learning skills at an unusual age or in an unusual way because their brain processes information differently. This means they can excel in some abilities like language, vocabulary, math or music but are delayed in other areas. They may have problems with authority figures such as teachers."
This could explain why the boy hacks into the FBI mainframe, as he has problems with authority fugures especially as this is an undercover organisation, possessing control over the country. The fact that people with Aspergers are often very good at a particular subject leads us to believe the boy is very gifted in the subject ICT and explains why he is skilled at breaking this code as his mind works in an unusual way, processing information differently. 

Strengths

"Asperger teens are typically uninterested in following social norms, fads, or conventional thinking. They are original and creative thinkers and are in persuit for original interests and goals. Their preference for rules and honesty may lead them to excel in the classroom since many of their advanced abilities are in the gifted range. Their narrow area of interest can make them experts in their field. They can be talented and enjoy academic success. Their dedication and commitment makes them driven to perform well in school. Many great scientists, writers and artists are thought to have had Asperger syndrome, including many Nobel Prize winners."
The fact that teens with Aspergers are uninterested in following social norms explains why the boy is intrigued by the code and therefore works to crack it and succeeds.

Theory of Mind

"The absence of the ability to understand what people know, think or feel might be the root of most difficulties people with Asperger have in communication and social interaction. They also can’t link their own behavior to the feelings of others so they can be unable to anticipate or predict such a response. Those with Asperger Syndrome have a very good eye for details but are most of the time are unable to see the "big picture"."

As people with Aspergers can't link their own behaviour to other peoples feelings therefore failing to anticipate a response explains why the boy writes such a bold statement on the FBI mainframe when hacking into as he does not think about the consequences at the time and is not able to predict a response from the receivers of the message. The fact that people with Aspergers see detail but not the big picture explains why the boy notices all the different hints leading him onwards to crack the code. 

 

The positive aspects of Aspergers: this teenager is incredibly talented at Maths as a result of his Asperger Syndrome