Did Thomas Jefferson have Asperger's Syndrome?

Answer 1

We cannot know after the fact whether he had Asperger's Syndrome (AS), but biographical descriptions of him do not indicate the collection of symptoms that would make it likely that he had one. So, it is probably more likely that he did not have it than that he did. However, if he did have AS, it is possible that those characteristics that would have made it seem more likely that he had AS were not recorded or minimized as little quirks or eccentricities.

Traits that make some people think he might have had Asperger's Syndrome are that he grew marijuana, was worried about being buried alive, and allegedly had to borrow money for his inauguration ceremony. One hypothesis is that he grew marijuana to self-medicate Asperger's Syndrome, self-medicating being something that some people with autism spectrum disorders, ADD, or depression do with intoxicants. Another is that his fear of being buried alive and thus instructed that burial be postponed three days to be sure he was dead indicates a perseverative fear and adherence to an ineffective ritual, a trait occurring in some people with Asperger's Syndrome. The need to borrow money is thought to possibly indicate the poor money management skills of some people with Asperger's Syndrome.

Answer 2

Most likely not, but we'll never know. All we really have to go on are historical accounts and its difficult to make a diagnosis of a mental illness purely from second hand accounts.

Answer 3

Umm, i don't know. Google it(: