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AS/HFA and the INTJ Persona

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is a widely used method to determine a person's psychological preferences (read: personality).  The link here is to the wikipedia definition and implementation, so feel free to get geeked up on it if this is new to you.

The INTJ varietal of this type indicator is one of the low-prevalence categories at ~2.1% (though half are below 5%).  It is closely considered to be a partner to high-functioning autism such as Asperger's Syndrome because many traits exhibited by those in the INTJ category are consistent with the strengths and shortcomings of people with AS.

The INTJ person is very, very analytical; they are pragmatic and generally logically sound; they pay little attention to emotional appeals or sensationalism.  More so, an INTJ is usually very aware of their strengths (which are many) AND their weaknesses.  At the same time, an INTJ is socially absent - social ritual is usually considered a waste of time or of little consequence to the real tasks at hand.  And, an INTJ person seldom lives "in the present"; rather, that person is focused on the future - focused on how to influence an outcome based on current or near-future context.

When I look at my AS son, who is 5, I see nearly all of these traits.  However, I have not (and don't currently have a plan to) have his MBTI tested - I feel somewhat confident in the results he'd return.

So, it may be easy from an ASD perspective to embrace a personality type; however, the converse of this equation is typically untrue - a person with no diagnosis (usually adults) that is determined to be an INTJ typically is disinterested in embracing AS - in this way it is viewed negatively as a handicap rather than a logical explanation for what they may have spent a lifetime experiencing.

My advice - if you are an INTJ that has not been evaluated for AS - talk to a psychologist.  Maybe medical diagnosis has no value for adults who've learned to cope with themselves the way they are, but it does provide some personal relief (some "I'm-not-alone-in-the-world-flavored pudding") and a basis from which an adult with AS and learn more about themselves and help self-identify.  Also, if you're a parent who wonders if 1+ children may be AS candidates, read through the INTJ or INTP personality type descriptors, and talk to a psychologist.

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AspergerParent

AspergerParent

M • 33

Littleton, CO

"Asperger's Syndrome is a gift, not a handicap"

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