What is the difference between a disorder and the normal range of abilities and personality?
It is important to remember that all behaviors fall along a continuum or spectrum. At one end of the spectrum is “normal” behavior, or abilities, traits, and individual characteristics that are considered appropriate (or typical) on the basis of a person’s culture, age, gender, etc. At the other end of the spectrum are groups of behaviors that, when exhibited regularly by an individual, create problems for that person in terms of his or her functioning socially, emotionally, or occupationally. Many people have certain eccentricities, including unusual hobbies, anxiety or awkwardness in social situations, or clumsiness. This is considered well within the range of normal behavior. However, when these behaviors coincide, form a pattern across time, and negatively impact a person’s ability to function, then they are viewed as “clinically significant”, and as requiring diagnosis and treatment. There is a lot of controversy about the diagnosis of Asperger’s (summarized in previous questions)
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