Jerry Seinfeld thinks he is on the spectrum

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Seems like it'd be immaterial whether he has it or not from a practical standpoint.

Yes, I agree. I believe he is a germaphobe but as far as being on the spectrum, not so sure about that. He seems far too social.

It's possible Seinfeld is not autistic, per se---rather, he could be within the Broad Autism Phenotype.

I happen to think that Seinfeld had a desire to "de-mystify" autism. It's possible he has a friend with autism, and that he learned a lot from this person. Or he might even have it himself (or thinks he has it).

This is true. He's probably nothing like tv Jerry, I mean think about it - that was a verrrrrry exaggerated character. As is Larry David's on Curb. From what I know of both of them in real life (which isn't much), they could both be on the spectrum, but they could also not be and I'm not sure it really matters. I find the problems that I have from my (self diagnosed) Autism, come from my actions or lack thereof. I can't imagine how Jerry Seinfeld having Autism would help me with that.

I think Seinfeld saying he's on the Spectrum will "legitimize" autism.

It will get people away from the "Rain Man" image of autism.

I get what you are saying, like people won't go OOOH AUTSIM, HE'S GOING TO KILL SOMEONE. I KNOW IT"S OK BECAUSE JERRY SEINFELD HAD IT SO IT HAS TO BE!

But what I'm saying is that no matter how many celebrities end up having it, if we say something we're "Not supposed to say," or behave awkwardly or want to slug someone because they are making weird noises when they eat, or trip over our own feet or whatever the things are that we do, we still have to deal with that in life. There's not going to be a Jerry Seinfeld free pass.

It's not like people finding out they can't get AIDS by hugging someone, therefore the problem of being near them goes away. JErry Seinfeld having Autism would not make our problems go away. I guess I'm just saying there are more proactive things to do in life than hope that Jerry Seinfeld has it. (I hope that doesn't sound argumentative or mean, it's just what I'm thinking).

I guess I should have said "Seinfield's disclosure would 'legitimize autism'....to a certain extent"--that's probably more correct, anyway.

Nope...Autism is definitely not in the mainstream. There's still a considerable stigma attached to it.

However, I believe that it is possible that this "disclosure" might, eventually, clear a path towards a greater understanding of autism amongst the general public.

I think you are a hopeless optimist!

I just have a gut feeling.

However, it should be noted that "intuition" is not one of my strong suits LOL

Hopefully it brings some positive awareness to the condition. Whether or not he gets diagnosed is his business, the effect this story has on people's view is the main issue

Rain Man is fine (the fictional representation).

Back in the day, he was generally the highest functioning that could be labeled with autism. He still can be called autistic.

I have no idea if Jerry Seinfeld can be called such, as I've never seen him outside of his popular television show. His TV character didn't display it (though some other characters in the show did display bits and pieces, like with that one female who always wore the same clothes or that man who had odd eye contact).

So, from the viewpoint of an accurate depiction, Rain Man is the one you'd go with for general and moderate autism. There's plenty for severe and mild out there too.

Not to mention the Adam Lanza version of Aspergers? BTW Kim Peek (the real rainman) never had autism, his two brain hemispheres were not connected. Brain imaging study (MRI) of Peek's brain revealed an absence of the corpus callosum, the anterior commissure and the hippocampal commissure, the three main parts of the neurological system that transfer information between the right and the left hemispheres of the brain.

Hollywood never lets facts get in the way of a good drama...

I'm willing to accept he has mild autism to go along with his OCD

Thanks Cyberdad I didn't know that about the real Rainman, that is really interesting information.

http://www.wrongplanet.net/article450.html

Yep...to reiterate a previous post:

It turns out the "real Rainman" wasn't autistic at all. He had a total absence of the carpus callosum section of the brain, I believe. I forgot the name of the syndrome which he had as a result.

He was an extreme savant--yet he had intellectual challenges. He loved the fact that he was famous; he made a concerted effort to be charismatic--and he succeeded somewhat.