Criteria for our lack of the social mindset

As mentioned on Background, both of us are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. However, both autism spectrum disorder and Asperger syndrome are far broader than the lack of the social mindset present in our condition.

Likewise, as mentioned on the Schizoid personality disorder section of Schizophrenia and autism, both of us would most likely be considered to meet the criteria of schizoid personality disorder if we did not meet criteria for autism spectrum disorder. However, once again, the criteria and literature of SPD do not adequately or sufficiently describe the lack of the social mindset present in our condition, and they contain a few contradictions that go against the lack of the social mindset, most notably that of fantasising.

Consequently, a new set of criteria arises that has high specificity for our condition and is in line with the neurology, features and genetics of the social mindset.

The spectrum from less severe forms of Asperger syndrome up to a severe lack of the social mindset manifests with progressively fewer social-mindset associations that, in general, become more and more restricted around the innate sources of reward/aversion, such as sexual imprinting and auditory memorisation (music).

This is merely because these mechanisms remain as a much larger factor in guiding behaviour, which will be reflected in the person’s episodic memories of their life and the attached brainstem responses. However, episodic memories and attached brainstem responses alone remain the factor behind the social mindset.

Progression

In addition to classic autistic symptoms, in early childhood, the most visible potential indicator of our future loss of the social mindset is significantly increased verbal ability and semantic memory. This can distinguish our condition from forms of autism spectrum disorder with average or below-average ability in these areas.

Other signs that may be visible in early childhood include hypersensitivity of at least sight, smell, taste and touch, especially manifesting as disgust, and swallowing difficulties, especially manifested when swallowing food or tablets.

Our condition begins to significantly distinguish itself from other forms of Asperger syndrome at the turn of teenage years, between around ages 11 and 15, during which we progressively begin to lose social-mindset features, such as support of cultural celebrations, aesthetic clothing styles, familial love, pet-keeping, etc.

It is by the age of around 18 that we have lost the social mindset to a degree well beyond the diagnostic criteria of any currently established psychiatric condition.

Criteria

By the turn of adulthood, the following criteria can be used to confirm our condition.

Lack of the social mindset

At least eight of the following must be present, six of which must be 1–6:

1. Objects to recreational drug use (including alcohol).
2. Objects to the use of body modifications, cosmetics and jewellery.
3. Objects to clearly and intentionally visible aesthetic designs on clothing, both in the form of logos, text or art and in the shape/coverage of the clothing.
4. Objects to the keeping of pets and their anthropomorphisation.
5. Objects to the celebration or recognition of cultural celebrations (such as Christmas, New Year’s or birthdays) and cultural ceremonies such as marriage.
6. Has a complete lack of religiosity, spirituality, superstition or belief in any form of ‘higher power’.
7. Considers themselves not to feel empathy for nor derive pleasure from witnessing the suffering of the vast majority of people.
8. Considers themselves not to feel familial love.
9. Does not wish to be friends with a person espousing the above features but considers that they would be able to with a person who does not.
10. Considers themselves unable to feel significant romantic love for a person espousing the above features but considers that they would be able to for a person who does not.
11. Does not consume fictional media (including video games).

Other features

All four of the following must be present:

1. Has significantly increased verbal ability and semantic memory.
2. Has obsessive–compulsive disorder–like behaviours, especially germ avoidance, but with a lack of the behaviours being unwanted.
3. Has hypersensitivity of at least sight, smell, taste and touch, especially manifesting as disgust.
4. Has swallowing difficulties, especially manifested when swallowing food or tablets.

There may also be:

5. Low weight, caused by hypersensitivity to tastes and textures, swallowing difficulties, germ avoidance and the lack of the social mindset directly (lack of the ‘comfort eating’ feature and reward only from satiety)