is arthur on the autistic spectrum?

[ethanjames]

I saw a thread on twitter saying that Arthur was showing signs that he was autistic and it had got me wondering if anybody else had noticed that? my younger brother is autistic so I can commonly pick up certain signs and he does seem to show symptom's of it.

[snail69]

This was mentioned in another thread. I also have thought this during the last two episodes to be honest as well. For me it's his social awkwardness that sticks out more than anything.

He's clearly quite intelligent but he just doesn't seem to know how to act around others.

Obviously, his whole time in there could have just been an act from him but he definitely showed signs of being autistic if it wasn't.

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[ethanjames]

QUOTE=snail69;9354497]This was mentioned in another thread. I also have thought this during the last two episodes to be honest as well. For me it's his social awkwardness that sticks out more than anything.

He's clearly quite intelligent but he just doesn't seem to know how to act around others.

Obviously, his whole time in there could have just been an act from him but he definitely showed signs of being autistic if it wasn't.

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Yes he clearly is very smart but he just seems to be very socially awkward. His only friend seems to be raph who is very calm and comforting and tries to see things from different perspectives. It would explain why he got so annoyed about the carrot as most people on the spectrum have some kind of routine and when its changed it can trigger something. Once again it could be an act but he is clearly showing signs he is on the spectrum.

[Epic.]

He isn't, I would know

[letmein]

Reminded me of Aspergers.

[Withano]

I think he was just brought up with little discipline and never needed to show regard for others, cos he can have what he wants, whenever he wants it...

Looking over the DSM-5 checklist, I dont actually think he meets any of the 6 criteria for it

[Epic.]

As an autistic person myself, Arthur is not autistic just because he thinks differently and has social difficulties. Makes no sense.

[ethanjames]

As an autistic person myself, Arthur is not autistic just because he thinks differently and has social difficulties. Makes no sense.

you say that but I'm autistic and so is my brother and we both act very alike to him.

[Epic.]

you say that but I'm autistic and so is my brother and we both act very alike to him.

Just because you find him similar to you doesn't immediately constitute him as autistic

[ethanjames]

I think he was just brought up with little discipline and never needed to show regard for others, cos he can have what he wants, whenever he wants it...

Looking over the DSM-5 checklist, I dont actually think he meets any of the 6 criteria for it


Actually it seemed like he did somewhat but he wasn't exactly sure how to phrase it. I don't think he thought he could do whatever he wanted I think he just got frustrated when something didn't work for routine. looking back he sympathised with quite a few people. We only see 45 mins of their whole day so its pretty arguable to think that they cut out bits purposely where he does go under the checklist.

[ethanjames]

Just because you find him similar to you doesn't immediately constitute him as autistic


and just because they don't act exactly like you it doesn't mean they aren't on the spectrum.

[ethanjames]

Reminded me of Aspergers.

Possibly or maybe a type of autism which isn't as common so people don't automatically assume hes on the spectrum.

[mizzy25]

yes I thought so too

[Withano]

Actually it seemed like he did somewhat but he wasn't exactly sure how to phrase it. I don't think he thought he could do whatever he wanted I think he just got frustrated when something didn't work for routine. looking back he sympathised with quite a few people. We only see 45 mins of their whole day so its pretty arguable to think that they cut out bits purposely where he does go under the checklist.

Which aspects of the checklist do you think he meets? His routine behaviour doesnt exist, his frustration was not being able to cope without cigarettes, and is extremely common withdrawel based behaviour.

Your best piece of evidence for his autistic traits is that we only see 45 minutes, so there might be parts in the other 23 hours that would fit

[Tregard]

I didn't get that vibe, he just seemed isolated

[Shaun]

There seems to be a rush to describe every outsider and loner as autistic with every new series and it's a little bit...disturbing.

[Vicky.]

I actually thought this. My best mate from school has Aspergers Syndrome and he reminded me a LOT of her. It looked like much more than simply not being comfortable.

[Epic.]

There seems to be a rush to describe every outsider and loner as autistic with every new series and it's a little bit...disturbing.

This

[Jessica.]

Aspergers doesn't get diagnosed any more btw.

I don't think he has high functioning autism though, I act similarly to him in some respects, not knowing how to act in social situations and stuff like that but I haven't been diagnosed with anything like that. Some people just grew up like this without having some kind of condition to cause it.

[Vicky.]

Aspergers doesn't get diagnosed any more btw.

I don't think he has high functioning autism though, I act similarly to him in some respects, not knowing how to act in social situations and stuff like that but I haven't been diagnosed with anything like that. Some people just grew up like this without having some kind of condition to cause it.

Does it not, why? Thats a bit weird as I am pretty sure it still exists :S

[ethanjames]

Which aspects of the checklist do you think he meets? His routine behaviour doesnt exist, his frustration was not being able to cope without cigarettes, and is extremely common withdrawel based behaviour.

Your best piece of evidence for his autistic traits is that we only see 45 minutes, so there might be parts in the other 23 hours that would fit

You cannot judge somebody due to what a list says as the spectrum is very large and people react in very different ways. I wasn't diagnosed with autism until I was 14 and a lot of people are misjudged because of their very "flawed" way of diagnosing people. that being said he goes under the first sector well with not being able to communicate with people in the same way everyone else does. it is all up for discussion once again but I watch big brother with my family and they agree with me. but I might obviously be wrong and I have just misjudged everything :)

[Jessica.]

Does it not, why? Thats a bit weird as I am pretty sure it still exists :S

There is just a scale of autism, low functioning to high functioning, aspergers was just another name for high functioning autism. With early intervention, people can move up the spectrum, for example going from non-verbal to verbal, which means going from lower functioning to higher functioning. Advancement in therapy and intervention basically blurred the lines between low functioning and high functioning so it's not really practical to give high functioning autism a different diagnosis any more.

[ethanjames]

I didn't get that vibe, he just seemed isolated

I don't think he was isolated as he did "attempt" to get himself involved. that being said you can never know for sure.

[ethanjames]

There seems to be a rush to describe every outsider and loner as autistic with every new series and it's a little bit...disturbing.

I wouldn't exactly describe Arthur as an outsider. that being said this is my first time being invested in big brother and I usually don't jump to conclusions but Arthur seems to be a little bit different to everyone else. not that this could result to him being autistic of course but he does show quite a few symptoms and I wouldn't cross it out as a possibility.

[ethanjames]

I actually thought this. My best mate from school has Aspergers Syndrome and he reminded me a LOT of her. It looked like much more than simply not being comfortable.


EXACTLY!! there is a difference than being autistic and isolated. he just didn't seem to connect in the way everyone else did which is a real shame. also people on the spectrum often become attached to people in the house and for Arthur that was probably raph who is kind and different to the other housemates as he is a lot quieter.

[Withano]

You cannot judge somebody due to what a list says as the spectrum is very large and people react in very different ways. I wasn't diagnosed with autism until I was 14 and a lot of people are misjudged because of their very "flawed" way of diagnosing people. that being said he goes under the first sector well with not being able to communicate with people in the same way everyone else does. it is all up for discussion once again but I watch big brother with my family and they agree with me. but I might obviously be wrong and I have just misjudged everything :)

Actually, you absolutely do judge them by what the list says. You cant just diagnose Arthur with your hunch and ignore the latest edition of the diagnostic and statistical manual. What are you on about.

[Vicky.]

There is just a scale of autism, low functioning to high functioning, aspergers was just another name for high functioning autism. With early intervention, people can move up the spectrum, for example going from non-verbal to verbal, which means going from lower functioning to higher functioning. Advancement in therapy and intervention basically blurred the lines between low functioning and high functioning so it's not really practical to give high functioning autism a different diagnosis any more.

Ah right that makes sense.

Had a school meeting today with the health visitor as she reckons my son may be autistic. Hes only 2...she was asking questions then twisting the answers to write on her sheet and has now decided he needs a ****ing hearing test too. I hate health visitors so much. I knew as soon as she asked about hand flapping what she was 'testing' for...they didn't tell us the actual reason for the meeting. She says because he likes to do things alone and concentrates very hard on what he is doing to the point where he ignores everything around him is a big sign of autism :S In that case me and gavin, and Skye are all autistic too. I honestly think she just needs to get her numbers up for referals (they have targets apparently of how many kids are referred for different things) as I don't see what good it does to anyone otherwise twisting answers that people who actually know the kid give and sometimes ignoring both us and the teachers to put her own answers down...shes only met him 3 times

Sorry for rant D:

[ethanjames]

Aspergers doesn't get diagnosed any more btw.

I don't think he has high functioning autism though, I act similarly to him in some respects, not knowing how to act in social situations and stuff like that but I haven't been diagnosed with anything like that. Some people just grew up like this without having some kind of condition to cause it.

I don't think he has high functioning autism either but I do think he is somewhat on the spectrum.

[ethanjames]

Actually, you absolutely do judge them by what the list says. You cant just diagnose Arthur with your hunch and ignore the latest edition of the diagnostic and statistical manual. What are you on about.

I did say that Arthur does go under the list but I think I may have worded this wrong. I'm not saying you cant diagnose somebody from the list as I'm pretty sure you can obviously but you cant just take it like gospel as all people are different. I am not a specialist in any way but I think from the way he acts he could be on the spectrum obviously I don't know that for sure as I don't know him personally but I just wanted to see what everyone else thought. cheers :)

[Jessica.]

Ah right that makes sense.

Had a school meeting today with the health visitor as she reckons my son may be autistic. Hes only 2...she was asking questions then twisting the answers to write on her sheet and has now decided he needs a ****ing hearing test too. I hate health visitors so much. I knew as soon as she asked about hand flapping what she was 'testing' for...they didn't tell us the actual reason for the meeting. She says because he likes to do things alone and concentrates very hard on what he is doing to the point where he ignores everything around him is a big sign of autism :S In that case me and gavin, and Skye are all autistic too. I honestly think she just needs to get her numbers up for referals (they have targets apparently of how many kids are referred for different things) as I don't see what good it does to anyone otherwise twisting answers that people who actually know the kid give and sometimes ignoring both us and the teachers to put her own answers down...shes only met him 3 times

Sorry for rant D:

I personally know a little boy who was guessed to be on the autistic spectrum at age two and it was definitely right. He's three and a half now and it's quite obvious, the only problem is that he hasn't made any improvement since his mother treats him like a baby because the word "austism" was mentioned, he doesn't get to do anything like the other kids his age, she just keeps him in the house watching TV all day and only feeds him junk food because she knows he likes it and he doesn't even have a daily routine and bed time which is so important for all kids, not just those on the spectrum and that's only the start of it.

I'd say to just go with what the health visitor is doing and even if your little boy isn't on the spectrum it's still good to check it out. In the unlikely case that they do catch it early, it would be really beneficial for him so he can get everything he may need sorted early.

[Withano]

I did say that Arthur does go under the list but I think I may have worded this wrong. I'm not saying you cant diagnose somebody from the list as I'm pretty sure you can obviously but you cant just take it like gospel as all people are different. I am not a specialist in any way but I think from the way he acts he could be on the spectrum obviously I don't know that for sure as I don't know him personally but I just wanted to see what everyone else thought. cheers :)

Every single person with a diagnosis of autism meet the criteria that the dsm and/or icd lay out. You do actually take the list as gospel. I dont think he meets even one, let alone several criteria. So nah I disagree with you.

[Vicky.]

I personally know a little boy who was guessed to be on the autistic spectrum at age two and it was definitely right. He's three and a half now and it's quite obvious, the only problem is that he hasn't made any improvement since his mother treats him like a baby because the word "austism" was mentioned, he doesn't get to do anything like the other kids his age, she just keeps him in the house watching TV all day and only feeds him junk food because she knows he likes it and he doesn't even have a daily routine and bed time which is so important for all kids, not just those on the spectrum and that's only the start of it.

I'd say to just go with what the health visitor is doing and even if your little boy isn't on the spectrum it's still good to check it out. In the unlikely case that they do catch it early, it would be really beneficial for him so he can get everything he may need sorted early.
Oh yeah we will go to the referral. Just very annoying how she was steamrollering her 'points' when both us and his teacher told her that the points were wrong D:

[smudgie]

More him being an ignorant twit who played the game wrong.

[Parmy]

No..he is just a clueless bufoon a mixture between showbizz and shabazz(the zzzz bits)..only less entertaining.

[thesheriff443]

As someone who has a daughter who is autistic and In turn you come into contact with other adults and young adults on the spectrum, I found the continued face pulling at the end of a conversation, a trait of someone one on the spectrum.

[RichardG]

Aspergers doesn't get diagnosed any more btw.

I don't think he has high functioning autism though, I act similarly to him in some respects, not knowing how to act in social situations and stuff like that but I haven't been diagnosed with anything like that. Some people just grew up like this without having some kind of condition to cause it.

it does in the uk, i think it's just the usa which stopped

[DouglasS]

My mother was talking to me and thought he was Autistic. I suppose we will never know.

[jyunga]

Nah, there were a few moments where he said stuff to be an ass and then started to crack a smile. He was just playing game and did it horribly.

[Garfie]

For many years I have worked with young people on the autistic spectrum and, although it would be wrong to try to diagnose someone without knowing them, from my experience, Arthur displays many traits of high-functioning autism or Aspergers and I had wondered if he was on the spectrum myself.

Every single person on the spectrum is different, and has varying degrees of each trait, so a simple checklist is a hard way to make a diagnosis. Major signs for me, however, were the way he became overwhelmed when everyone was shouting at him, the way he obsessed about the rule being they should keep all food in the store cupboard, his social difficulties and lack of understanding, his childlike behaviour, and the way he responded so positively to Raph's kind, gentle and compassionate approach to him.

Not everyone who is on the spectrum is diagnosed, however, especially if their traits are mild. Either way, to me, those on the spectrum are just the loveliest people in the world.

[reece(:]

874165623865184257

[Jessica.]

it does in the uk, i think it's just the usa which stopped
It doesn't in Ireland.

[Jessica.]

874165623865184257
OMG screaming

[Josiah.]

Does it not, why? Thats a bit weird as I am pretty sure it still exists :S

Hello, an Aspie over here (diagnosed in '09/'10)!

[ethanjames]

For many years I have worked with young people on the autistic spectrum and, although it would be wrong to try to diagnose someone without knowing them, from my experience, Arthur displays many traits of high-functioning autism or Aspergers and I had wondered if he was on the spectrum myself.

Every single person on the spectrum is different, and has varying degrees of each trait, so a simple checklist is a hard way to make a diagnosis. Major signs for me, however, were the way he became overwhelmed when everyone was shouting at him, the way he obsessed about the rule being they should keep all food in the store cupboard, his social difficulties and lack of understanding, his childlike behaviour, and the way he responded so positively to Raph's kind, gentle and compassionate approach to him.

Not everyone who is on the spectrum is diagnosed, however, especially if their traits are mild. Either way, to me, those on the spectrum are just the loveliest people in the world.

You summed up pretty much everything I was attempting to say. It made me feel awful how the other housemates were treating him and big brother should have honestly known. raph was the only one who seemed to understand him in a way which honestly makes sense as he didn't seem to mind when he was angry and was the only one who could calm him down. he does seem like a guy who means well but he wasn't portrayed in the right way. if he is diagnosed with autism big brother should have informed the housemates beforehand so they wouldn't pick on him as much as they did.

[BigBrotherfan4ever]

The more I saw of Aurther I thought ihe could possibly be autistic or have Asperger.

[Garfie]

You summed up pretty much everything I was attempting to say. It made me feel awful how the other housemates were treating him and big brother should have honestly known. raph was the only one who seemed to understand him in a way which honestly makes sense as he didn't seem to mind when he was angry and was the only one who could calm him down. he does seem like a guy who means well but he wasn't portrayed in the right way. if he is diagnosed with autism big brother should have informed the housemates beforehand so they wouldn't pick on him as much as they did.

Arthur might not have been diagnosed and in all honesty I think BB is more interested in the drama than the individual.

The truth is, even if he has a diagnosis and other housemates know, some people just don't understand it or don't have the sensitivity and compassion of Raph. However, I felt Lotan also responded with kindness and patience towards Arthur.

Such a shame he has gone.