Did Raymond ever show Asperger or social miscues?

Post Reply New Topic

I am curious if in the show Everyone Loves Raymond if he ever showed any miscues that would make you think that he had Asperger's (at least the show's character). I am wondering if his misunderstanding of his wife's cues (and often that of his friends) also mattered. I would just love for us to once indicate a person who wasn't an engineer or an impersonal IT Specialist or a wacky lawyer. I like one that's a loud-mouth, outgoing, and a sports-writer or a field that may require more interaction just in case we don't have engineering as a strong point (visually inept). At least, I could maybe find one person who I was in common with. I know a lot of NT's who are into the classic AS stuff (i.e. sci-fi) and it's really cool. For instance, I believe it is possible for someone to be a great salesperson, but not necessarily be good at making friends outside of their job duties (even though we tend to think of salespeople who have great ease making friends - i.e. their networks).


I really liked the show since I make a lot of the same mistakes and it is provided in a funny context. I find it cool that people can be quirky and that we all benefit from each other's differences. It's not only about tolerance; it is more about connecting with one another and being able to know the steps involved in creating a friendship, having a life partner, and continuing these relationships. That's the hard part even if you are the outgoing type.

No offense intended but...

Ugh. What does it matter? It's just a sit com.

That's just my standard reaction to all speculation about celebrities. I love the show though.

I think Raymond is awkward sometimes, but well within the "normal" range still.

I've noticed Raymond showing AS traits, on many occasions. Everybody Loves Raymond was my favourite show for a while, because of that.

According to my therapist there are certain "miscues" interpreted by men when it comes to interpersonal relationships between men and women in a loving relationship. It's those neurotypical miscues that I think the show's writers were trying to emphasize.

My therapist (who apparently hates that word and prefers life coach), feels that AS men are just more prone to pratfalls due to those miscues than NT men because of the fact we have the double whammy of being AS and male so our AS neurological make-up causes everything to be amplified in regards to faux pas made due to miscues.

I've seen every episode of Everybody Loves Raymond probably 100 times, and have never noticied any AS traits from him.

Robert! Now HE seems to be somewhat autistic (in the early seasons especially).

"Raymond" isn't real - he's portrayed by an actor, so any "miscues" he might exhibit are the misreading of cue cards. As for the actor himself, he seems to be a regular NT to me.

Odd question.

I have seen it many times and while Robert is more to himself (and at times takes a little longer to understand things), it seems like he at least understands cues like a normal man. I believe Raymond does go beyond the typical man in misunderstanding since it also occurs with his guy friends, too. Also, he seems to always miss the boat with his wife and it goes beyond just forgetting her anniversary but also different nonverbal cues, too. He also is a person who cannot seem to let things go (has to be right) and reminisces too often.


I like forums like this because it is a thing to discuss. While Ray is an actor who may misread his cue cards, I think it goes beyond that. I am going with Grumpwurst's usage of more often than other men in my belief that even a sportswriter could have AS or at least have many of the traits of having it, such as NLD. I don't think his sociable nature alone makes him an NT, but may very well indicate even more his inability to read those cues. And remember, the show did finish only four years after AS started being used in the US.


There was once a book: Cats have Asperger's or something like that. I don't think so; cats can have at times a very obnoxious attitude.. Dogs on the other hand are very playful yet seem to sometimes need to be taught rules, boundaries, and limitations (think of Caesar Milan). It seems like dogs are often more naive about social nuances (even in a wolf pack that have very strict hierarchies) than cats. It seems like cats live by it and are very particular about whom they choose to share or ask for affection while dogs appear to be much more indiscriminate. Dogs will go up to you and try to lick you unless you train them to be more respectful (if you can train them). Dogs need a lot of coaching and reward-training even before you can get them to do something that is socially graceful. I think the overly affectionate nature of dogs and that unconditional love espouses humans that have Asperger's, too. In wolf-packs, there is a strict social hierarchy, but that in and of itself doesn't mean that they are socially graceful or follow those rules - known or unknown.


Thanks for all your replies.

^^ All of the things you mention fall into the "typical stupid man/husband" stereotype to me, which is what his character is supposed to be.

As for Robert, watch the first season...He does things like put nuts into patterns, and does weird repetitive movements. Also, Ray mentions he has to "take his shoes off when he counts to 13" and touch his food to his chin. In the later seasons, it pretty much disappears.

No, his character is supposed to be like that.