Apart from autism, what pervasive developmental disabilities feature

the inability to understand the emotional responses of others?

I recall many times I didn't understand why dad was angry at me or what I did to get him angry. (amongst every other emotion.) Hell, I still don't understand why they're proud of me today.

My new counselor UNIQUELY wants to delve into my childhood; all the others before summarily dismissing my childhood as being irrelevant... I couldn't believe she said "Asperger's" the other day. Not as much because I thought it had fit my life story as much as her going through my lengthy records and how nothing seemed to fit; all of the conditions and all the medications - none of which had worked on the core problem I've always complained about (which is essentially 'critical thinking', though I used to say it in a way that may have convinced the doctors to think I was whateverconditionofthedaytheyliked.)

She also asked me to release some recent neurological records which contain MRI scans. I hope those are of user to her in some way. And ultimately to me as well.

I think she's on to something and if it is what I think it is, nearly 30 years' worth of erroneous diagnoses will be vindicated. Then I only need worry about is the future. :7

have as much trouble learning social skills as in learning how to read.

I've heard a lot of about it...

Often considered "high-functioning autism" because of of the patient's increased ability to interact with others.

This is interesting because it combines an intense desire to be engaged socially with a greater fear and barrier to action in this direction. These kids, they show up in early adolescence, isolate themselves and are really pissed off about it. They fear failure so much, they cannot take the minor risks to create a social life with peers. Extreme anger is often an outcome. This is the cousin of Schizoid Personality Disorder in which the individual is nor particularly interested in a social life other than a few like-minded friends (and games) but actually prefers it that way. Schizoid PD people choose not to read emotional ques and if they are pressed in areas that evoke an emotional response, will often times generate appalling or upsetting imagery to deflect the initiator of the emotional reminder or contact.

I have a weird mental disorder called Schizoaffective disorder which none of the doctors can explain to me. I have a hard time relating with others and I think that one of the symptoms...

The sociopath -- which can begin in childhood -- is also characterized by a marked lack of empathy for others. However, it usually features a degree of self-centeredness and sense of entitlement that truly seems to be lacking. In other words, the fact you question things pretty much precludes this in your case.

I would be careful not to read too much into failing to understand your father's anger or his other emotions. A child can be utterly unable to comprehend what's going on when IT IS THE PARENT who is irrational.

Have you considered that?

Best of luck to you.

I'm not sure what to consider... but I will be taking another MMPI.

I'm hoping the MMPI will be of assistance, but the last time I took one of those (5 years ago), the computer essentially said "I'm not sure how to interpret this guy" and invalidated the test. The psychologist of the time simply wrote the test off as "anxiety". Pity he never bothered to ask any probing questions like a good doctor would... But then again, as many a repuke has told me, doctors can make mistakes too. (so how come they can make mistakes and hold their jobs, when middle class saps like us make even one and get threatened with termination; a hit put onto one's performance record?)

The explanation is simple to why I can make the test fail, and it's not of conscious intent on my part: Literal minded as I am, 3 questions tied into one condition will likely not be answered in any anticipated format, because of how I read and respond to the questions. (once again, anyone who relies on a computer to determine a person's personality is a twat.)

(of course, I'm an Aspie myself, so it would be.)

Then there's hyperlexia and non-verbal learning disorder...you might look into those.

It is considered part of the autistic spectrum, so I'm not sure that I'm addressing your question.

Some of his traits:

Extremely advanced vocabulary and linguistic skills.
Obsession with particular topics for hours at a time.
Delivers lectures or monologues (rather than give-and-take dialogue).
Clumsy; plays by himself although he thinks he is playing with others.
Interacts better with adults than with kids his age.
Likes to categorize/put things in order.

When he is in a talkative mood, he doesn't seem to understand the cues that other people give about when to alter the direction of the conversation.

He is a wonderful, funny, and fascinating guy--and he hates Repubs!