AS/Autism limited to just humans?

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Humans aren't the only social creatures on earth. In fact, many species only seem to function and survive in groups. With this in mind, is it unreasonable to think that the neurological difference in Aspies/Auties that results in social impairment is limited solely to humans? Naturally, this wouldn't be quite as observable in the wild as those that stray from the pack would typically be brought down by predators, but what about animals in captivity, wildlife sanctuaries, and domesticated animals?

I started thinking along these lines when someone commented that my dog was weird like me. Sparing the details, suffice to say that she has notably different, almost quirky, social behavior compared to other dogs I've owned or encountered.

Thoughts?

Every cat I've been around was just like me, so I believe cats can (and probably are) autistic in some way.

Well, we joke that one of our cats, Kinsey, is our "autistic kitty" because she has some unusual social patterns and she clearly has some sensory sensitivity.

Since the root cause of autism seems to be not social impairment at all, but some kind of difference in perception and cognition that's pervasive in both social and non-social situations, I'd imagine that if that difference in perception and cognition existed as a difference from the norm in other animals (whether social animals or non-social animals), then yes it would exist.

Of course we aren't the only aspie animals. This is where the lone wolf comes from.

Cats and dogs with asperger's

...too close to your pets

Spiders on the other hand

Jokes, aside animals don't have autism because it is a condition of the human brain, but they can have their own neurological diversity. Sure we share some diseases with animals, but that does not mean the presentation is comparable. If you could say there is a single cause to ASD as a condition, which is probably unlikely, that scenario in animals might produce completely different results or nothing at all. If you just take something familiar to be the same you might miss the actual reason for that.

A lot of behaviour including in humans is learnt rather than developmental. Acting ‘weird’ isn't enough to say it is neurological, and even if it is it could just come under personality. I don't see ASD as personality, but it is part of who I am because it shape the way I think.

It could be you dog's personality, make up and the effect you and others have had on her than makes her appear different from other dogs you know.

I'm not saying my dog is autistic, and yes, I'm too close to really determine either way. What I'm getting at is: Could autism, or more general, a "pervasive developmental disorder" be seen in the social structures in pack animals? Not necessarily based on symptoms that humans show that animals may mimic, but based on a set of criteria relevant to the species and its social development.

This is a good example. Wolves are typically pack animals with fairly organized social structures, including alpha males. What root does the term "lone wolf" have, and does that show a significant neurodiversity in animals that compares to autism in humans?

Scientists are working to develop animal models of autism. At this stage, it is not clear that any of them really are autism. But we use animal models of cancer, anxiety, and other diseases.

Ohhh... that's like this brilliant book I found in the bookshop today, called "All Cats Have Asperger's Syndrome"

If anyone has a child with it, I highly recommend this as a way of explaining it in positive terms and with something they like to relate it to.

Especially for younger girls - it's so lovely! Be a brilliant Christmas present.

And it's so sweet!!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/All-Cats-Have-Aspergers-Syndrome/dp/1843104814/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198101912&sr=8-1

No I'm not the author.

Autism spectrum people are more like wild animals and NT people are more like golden retrievers, imo.

social problems aren't the only part of AS,and especially not of autism-so there would be more issues showing,but am do agree it is in other species and am have been certain for a long time,have a cat who is at the least; autistic-like [the kit. in avatar].
She is very autistic-like and am sure would be diagnosed if she was human.
She shows a strong need for routine and meltdowns when she can't finish it [by dropping over on floor and kicking and biting and rolling but she seems to be unable to properly bite or scratch],she likes to do things in the routine she's used to as she does it every time,she hates eye contact,she rarely speaks and when she does it's not very catlike,she has severe sensory issues-with all senses but especially with noise,she has no idea how to socialise with other cats and is desperate to be goldiecats friend but is constantly attacked for getting over friendly with her.

Cats can be diagnosed with OCD so am think it's a matter of time before autism is added.

I'm quite sure one of my cats it autistic. She definitely has problems.

She's looking at me right now with a really weird expression....

I think if any herd or pack animal is autistic it's killed in a more obvious and humane manner than the ones humans use.

"All Cats Have Aspergers"

There is a book entitled, "All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome." It is meant for children, but I'd like to read it.