This article explores the Rule Boy, one of the three general subtypes of Asperger children.
Characteristics
Asperger Subtype: "The Rule Boy"
Having a set of rules to live by is the most important issue for this type. Once he has a set of rules to follow, there tend to be few, if any, concerns, except in areas where you have not yet established rules. If there is a void where a rule has not been established, the Rule Boy is not happy; because he doesn't know what to do in that situation, he makes up his own rules. Any situation that has too few rules will be a bad one for this type of child. He must have rules to live by and he will create his own if you don't provide them, which will probably not match what others are thinking. This will cause conflict and upset until someone prevails and the rules are clarified. This boy respects authority figures and does well when it is perfectly clear who is in charge and who makes the rules. This child can often be fine in school but a real problem at home, because the rules are not clear enough in the latter situation. It is not unusual for parents of this type to be quite surprised to hear how well behaved their child is in school. There are two main subtypes of Rule Boy the innocent/passive and the overcontrolled but not every one has all of the characteristics listed below.