Asperger's Syndrome?

I think so, too. This has been one of my favorite books since I was in middle school, and it just occurred to me recently that Birdy the character might have Asperger's. I was trying to find anything on the computer about that, and eventually thought to check here. Thanks for your posting!

I definitly do think that he has Aspergers Syndrome. He has all of the classic
symptoms of it. Although I do have to say that I have learned that when it comes to sex, people with Aspergers's Syndrome are not necessarily asexual but they have sensory issues that can sometimes involve problems with touch which can make body to body contact hard for them, leaving others with the impression that they are asexual or homosexual. Even hugging someone or shaking someones hand can be a problem in a case like this. They also have problems expressing themselves to other people which makes it hard for them to usually have any
kind of real meaningful relationship with another person.

I have learned that people with Asperger Syndrome want to have a normal meaningful relationship and know that they have this problem but don't admit it
because they are unable to on a normal emotional level.

I think that Birdy wanted to be able to have a relationship with a woman. I
noticed in the classroom when he dropped the fake bird he was using during the
presentation, he looked at the girl who gave it back to him, and later became
his prom date, in a way that indicated that he had feelings for her.

My 10 year old nephew has Asperger's, and I immediately thought of him when I saw the movie - fixation on one topic at the exclusion of all others, unable to empathize with others, doesn't care what others think. It's all there.

I'm hoping nothing puts him over the top to make him catatonic as in the movie. I can see him getting through university, getting a PhD in some obtuse topic, and becoming a mad scientist - kind of like the profs I had at university.

Maybe, but there is more to it than that. Birdy seems to be breaking from normal reality well before he is drafted into the military. That just puts him through experiences that cause him to shut off the real world completely. Any bit of AS he may have would have only ended up being secondary to what puts him in that hospital. He was of a fragile psychological state and probably shouldn't have been found eligible for duty. They destroyed any chance he had at a life.

I think that's very likely, though back when this movie came out (I was in HS) Asperger's wasn't well known or commonly diagnosed. And the movie was set long before this. . . which makes me wonder how many Vietnam Vets were sent to war with Aspergers or similar mildly debilitating issues?

Anyway, thanks for the thoughtful post. I thought tonight I'd check up on old movie favorites here. Now I want to rewatch this one and when I do, I'll definitely be thinking of this. (I am now a teacher and have worked with high level autistic kids and I have friends with Asperger's kids. These days we catch it so quickly and have services to work with the kids and teach functional skills as well as work with them to expand academics.)

I have a bit of a different opinion on this....

I'm not really convinced that he had Asperger's. To me, Birdy simply came across like a shy teenager who had a strong fascination with birds and was likely a zoophile. His zoophilia prevented him from being sexually attracted to humans, and instead, kept his focus on birds. Despite this, he seemed to love and care about Al and had no problem maintaining a strong friendship with him. And then obviously, after experiencing the horrors of war, Birdy was left with posttraumatic stress and catatonia.


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