Social Functioning Impairment

One diagnostic criteria is "clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning." In clinical terms, the doctor told me that someone would have to be unable to keep employment or a family in order to legally classify as having Asperger's Syndrome. (I guess so the system of disability payments would not be abused?)

But Stanford (in "Aspergers and Long-Term Relationships") points out that this criteria may be evidenced in the impaired relationships with extended family. This may be seen in the aspie rarely reaching out to them, or having little desire to be "close" with siblings, parents, or other members of the family.

"Aspie Memory"

In "Asperger Syndrome and Long-Term Relationships" Ashley Stanford says it's possible that a person with AS doesn't remember much from his past. This could be because there were many stressful situations and he has "shut out" those difficult memories. But it may just be that most of his "aspie memories" revolve around objects instead of people. He may forget about parties, holidays, and other occasions most NTs tend to remember.