Not to sound like the Psychology major that I am, but...

[fanofminerva]

No: HPFGUIDX 136266

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, xtremesk8ergurl2 at a... wrote:
> Throughout reading Harry  Potter there are a few things I have 
observed:
> 
> 1. Could Serveus Snape  be a High functioning Autistic? He shows 
IMHO a lot of signs such  as:
> a) bullied, unpopular
> b) highly intelligent
> c) somewhat cold and  lacks empathy
> d) poor social skills
> e) very adept in specific areas like  Potions and DADA
> 
> 2. Draco Malfoy seems to me like he could have some  kind of 
disruptive behavior disorder like ADHD, ODD, Conduct Disorder, or  a 
mood disorder like Bipolar Disorder, he obviously has ups and downs. 
He  seems to have no remorse or regard for the rules and to be 
somewhat  high-strung and destructive. 
> 
> 3. Hermione Granger and Percey Weasley  seem to be intellectually 
gifted.
> 
> 4. Neville Longbottom seems to have  some kind of Learning 
Disability or ADD. I don't think he's truly a  "duffer" since he 
does so well in subjects like Herbology, Charms,  etc.
> 
> 5. Obviously stated in canon that Hannah Abott has anxiety 
attacks  and says that she's too dumb to take the OWLs.
>  
> -Maggie


Maggie, given that you are a psych major, you may be interested in 
some pre-HBP posts that were written about psychological profiles of 
characters.  They stemmed from a discussion about whether Snape was 
a narcissist.

As for your questions, I'd like to offer my opinion.  
1. Snape being autistic --> Disagree.  SS does not meet the criteria 
for Autism or even Asperger's Disorder.  He does not have 
qualitative impairment in social interaction or communication; he 
does not show repetitive or stereotyped behaviors or interests; and 
I doubt he demonstrated delays in normal functioning prior to age 
three.  Granted, he's not the guy I would choose to hang out with, 
but he is not autistic.  (For comparison, Dustin Hoffman's character 
in "Rainman" was a high functioning autistic person, and SS is 
nothing like him.)

2.Draco having a disruptive behavior disorder --> Agree.  I could 
diagnose him as Conduct Disorder.  

3.Hermione and Percy intellectually gifted --> Agree.

4. Neville as ADD or LD --> Disagree.  I would need to rule out 
anxiety for Neville before would rule in ADD. 

5. Hannah Abbot as anxious --> If JKR said it, she is.  After all, 
she's her character.

Hope you find this interesting.

Julie - Hoping to sound somewhat like the clinical psychologist that 
I am.