Asperger's Syndrome: It's an order

Oxford American Dictionary definition of “disorder”

disorder |disˈôrdər|

noun

a state of confusion : tiresome days of mess and disorder.

• the disruption of peaceful and law-abiding behavior

• Medicine a disruption of normal physical or mental functions; a disease or abnormal condition : eating disorders | an improved understanding of mental disorder.

Word has it that Asperger’s is an Autism Spectrum disorder.  I’m not so sure I believe that 100 percent. Now Autism Spectrum, I get, as there is a vast spectrum of characteristics within the diagnosis of Autism. But disorder?

I’ve put together a list of words I’ve heard used to describe those with Asperger’s, and those traits are as follows:

March to the beat of their own drum. Unique. Genius. Odd. Focused. Different. Innovative. Logical. Organized. Knowledgeable. Loyal. Practical. Honest. Literal. Utilitarian. Visual. Hyperlexic. Dedicated. Detail oriented. Direct. Zealous. Orderly.

Here is a list of opposites for those words:

Following the herd. Common. Dunce. Conventional. Unfocused. Similar. Unoriginal. Illogical. Disorganized. Ignorant. Disloyal. Impractical. Dishonest. False. Decorated. Non-visual. Dyslexic. Indifferent. Careless. Indirect. Unenthusiastic. Disorderly.

Just where exactly does the “disorder” lie?