The Joker, AS/Tourette's theory

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This actually has backing from the comics : )

Someone mentioned after watching The Dark Knight that they thought Joker has some AS tendencies (the obsessions, lack of empathy, etc). At first I was like, "oh, that would be great, but it's kind of a stretch," and I forgot about it. But then I got my copy of the Batman comic Arkham Asylum and found a delightful little tidbit. It points to Tourette's Syndrome (which is different, obviously, but has some overlaps and can be comorbid) as well as possible autistic spectrum-ness.

There's this great scene where Batman is talking to the psychiatrist sent to work with him. "We're beginning to think it may be a neurological disorder, similar to Tourette's Syndrome," she says. "Unlike you and I, the Joker seems to have no control over the sensory information he's receiving from the outside world." She describes his senses as "a chaotic barrage of input."

Now what does that sound like? Heheh...

Just fun speculation, but I'd like to know what you think.

I've read that comic tons of times, you could be onto something there.

he fits sociopath.

I'd love to believe the Joker had AS, which I know may well be a disturbing statement to make, but I've heard more praise of and interest in Heath Ledger's Joker amongst my friends and many others rather than Bale's Batman. I'm sure if they could create a link between themselves and the Joker, they'd morbidly jump at the oppurtunity.

Either way, I believe that Ledger's Joker aptly fits the diagnostic criteria of a sociopath rather than an individual with AS. Saying this, we're discussing a character that has been in existence for decades and has not just surfaced in a 21st century blockbuster movie. With each incarnation of the Joker, there have been different perspectives regarding his persona. It's difficult to label the Joker as a static character with one explanation due to the fact that in others, he's spoke of hallucinations, which aren't caused by having AS.

I've only read The Killing Joke and I'm currently waiting to receive a copy of Arkham Asylum, but would love to know if more was said regarding this idea of the Joker having some form of heightened sensory perception.

Out of curiosity, Arkham Asylum being published in 1989 and all, when was AS and its diagnostic criteria officially recognised?? Or, more specifically, the idea of heightened sensory perception?? I would appreciate it if someone could explain to me how big a part this idea of heightened sensory perception/trouble dealing with sensory input plays with regards to the "rest" of AS?

everyone has been asking how did the joker get those scars and what is his orgins. Well well never find out all we now is he told different storys on those things. So a bit of the orgins is there. Heath ledger signed up for two movies this one the dark knight and the 3rd one. So obvisoly chris nolan would have explained how he got those scars his orgins est. There is one comic book which i havent read but i looked it up it says jack was fighting batman and batman throws a batarang and he gets a chicago smile. we will never now because heath leadger is dead and they can explain what happened without him maybe chris will give us is last idea before heath died so sorry guys this is someting you will now or will never found out stupid really cause they havent even finished the whole story.