Sheldon Cooper on "The Big Bang Theory"" (CBS)

NAME OF CHARACTER: Sheldon Cooper

PLAYED BY: Jim Parsons

SHOW (NETWORK / RUNTIME / GENRE):  "The Big Bang Theory" (CBS / 21 Minutes / Comedy)

GENERAL SYNOPSIS: "Leonard Hofstadter [Johnny Galecki] and Sheldon Cooper [Jim Parsons] are both brilliant physicists working at Caltech in Pasadena, California. They are colleagues, best friends, and roommates, although in all capacities their relationship is always tested primarily by Sheldon's regimented, deeply eccentric, and non-conventional ways. They are also friends with their Caltech colleagues mechanical engineer Howard Wolowitz [Simon Helberg] and astrophysicist Rajesh Koothrappali [Kunal Nayyar]. The foursome spend their time working on their individual work projects, playing video games, watching science-fiction movies, or reading comic books. As they are self-professed nerds, all have little or no luck with popular women. When Penny [Kaley Cuoco], a pretty woman and an aspiring actress originally from Omaha, moves into the apartment across the hall from Leonard and Sheldon's, Leonard has another aspiration in life, namely to get Penny to be his girlfriend." (IMDB).

TITLE OF EPISODE WATCHED (ORIGINAL AIR DATE): "Pilot" (September 24, 2007)

SUPPORTING/ MAIN: Main

AGE: Never explicitly stated (likely aged 30-35)

GENDER: Male

OCCUPATION: Theoretical Physicist

ASD IGNORED / MENTIONED ON AIR: Ignored

IN MOTION / VISUAL DIAGNOSTICS:

(Although the following is a YouTube clip of "Sheldon's Best Moments," I reiterate the fact that, in formulating this response, I considered only the first episode of the show's first season. The video is nonetheless entertaining and provides a good sense of "who Sheldon is.")

WOULD S/HE LIKELY MEET DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA FOR AUTISM (DSM-IV)*: NO

In the first set of diagnostic quota (I), he demonstrates a total of five (of the required six) items from (IA), (IB), and (IC), with the required two from (IA), one from (IB) and two from (IC). He shows (IA) qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by (IA1) marked impairments in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as facial expression and gestures to regulate social interaction (IA2) (IA3), as well as (IA4) a lack of social or emotional reciprocity (for example, involving others in activities only as tools or "mechanical" aids ). He does not show (IB) qualitative impairments in communication as manifested by any of the given qualifications (IB1) (IB2) (IB3) (IB4). He does, however, demonstrate a (IC) restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests and activities, as manifested by both: (IC1) an encompassing preoccupation a stereotyped and restricted pattern of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus (e.g., preoccupation with solving and pointing to theoretical scientific quandaries) and an (IC2) apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals (e.g., refusing to sit anywhere but his spot on the couch) (IC3) (IC4). He demonstrates (II) delays or abnormal functioning in at the area of (IIA) social interaction and (IIB) language used in social interaction (IIC). Plus, it's more than likely that (III) the disturbance is not better accounted for by Rett's Disorder or Childhood Disintegrative Disorder.

. . . DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA FOR ASPERGER'S SYNDROME (DSM-IV)*: YES

Where two of the four criterion are required in part (I) of the diagnostic criteria, he shows qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by (IA) marked impairments in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as facial expression and gestures to regulate social interaction (IB) (IC) and (ID) lack of social or emotional reciprocity. He also shows (II) restricted repetitive & stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests and activities, as manifested by (IIA) an encompassing preoccupation with a stereotyped and restricted pattern of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus (e.g., preoccupation with solving and pointing to theoretical scientific quandaries) and an (IIB) apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals (e.g., refusing to sit anywhere but his spot on the couch) (IIC). (III) The disturbance causes clinically significant impairments in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning (e.g., the other characters tell Penny that they are Leonard's friend, and that they have learned to tolerate Sheldon); (IV) there is no clinically significant general delay in language; (V) there is no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or in the development of age-appropriate self help skills, adaptive behavior (other than in social interaction) and curiosity about the environment in childhood; and (VI) criteria are not met for another specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder or Schizophrenia.

WHAT'S REALLY RIGHT:

• This fan-made video says it all! 

• Sheldon is unique (i.e., not crazy, as he tells us below), and that's why he's a gift! 

WHAT'S REALLY WRONG:

• The show execs have shied away from endorsing Sheldon as someone on the spectrum because, they claim, it would bring too much heavy responsibility to a purposefully light comedy. It would essentially make a serious / high-stakes case study subject out of someone who is supposed to be viewed as living a silly / low-stakes life. This logic, however, endorses the false idea that the sitcom format is an inherently meaningless form. But what of "Will & Grace," which revolutionized prevailing ideas about the LGBT community? "Murphy Brown," about single motherhood? Laughter changes minds, and minds need to be changed. Saying "not my problem" isn't enough when you have the ability and the access to do so.

GENERAL RATING: ★★★☆ ("Fair")

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING: For his work on "The Big Bang Theory," the actor who plays Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons) has been nominated for five Primetime Emmy Awards, taking home the statue for "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series" three of those times. The show is among the most popular on network cable, and a commentator from "Today" made a point of expressing how much Sheldon's character is to thank for that. There has been much debate over whether or not Sheldon is on the spectrum (with good arguments being made on both sides). Whether he is or not, it is good to see the topic being discussed and a figure--- even potentially autistic--- so beloved.

*For explanations, it is necessary to click on the link and see the corresponding numerals being referenced. Letters/ Numbers crossed out do not apply.