In a different world: Simon Baron-Cohen, a
clinical psychologist at Cambridge University who runs a clinic for Asperger’s syndrome, heads a team which has come up
with a simple test for autism, suggesting a fresh approach to the social difficulties (and strengths) of AS sufferers.
Here are the items on the inventory, the Cambridge Lifespan Asperger Syndrome Service (CLASS). “Before you panic–or
feel relieved to have found a possible explanation for your problems–ALL 10 descriptions must apply to you, and your
difficulties must be significantly interfering with your daily life”:

I find social situations confusing

I find it hard to make small talk

I did not enjoy imaginative story-writing at school

I am good at picking up details and facts

I find it hard to work out what other people are thinking and feeling

I can focus on certain things for very long periods

People often say I was rude even when this was not intended

I have unusually strong, narrow interests

I do certain things in an inflexible, repetitive way

I have always had difficulty making friends

New Scientist.