Medical question.

Perhaps you are referring to Asperger's syndrome?

Beyond the medical waiver issue, the autism spectrum disorders present an interesting and difficult diagnostic dilemma for the MEPS physician. An exceptionally intelligent person with limited contextual awareness of emotions may be very successful in one field vice an utter and instant failure in another.

The classic example is Vincent D'Onofrio's character on Law and Order: Criminal Intent. It is unlikely that he had been diagnosed at the time of his service induction. It is far more likely that his service resulted in difficulties that led to an eventual diagnosis. The character clearly suffers from Asperger's yet his service in military intelligence is often alluded to and has been central to several plots thus making it clear that he was discharged honorably and not medically.

That being said, I personally would not recommend that this individual join any military service. The reason is that it would present very difficult challenges without any comparable support as the person currently posses. The Military does have Psychologists and Psychiatrist; however, their function bears little resemblance to the civilian model. Moreover, failure can, under certain conditions, result in the most deleterious effects on the rest of one's life.

This individual is likely to excel at a small suburban university and probably contribute greatly to the betterment of the human condition vice the green machine which may considerably worsen his or her condition. Sometimes, what we want is far beyond our reach but that only makes us desire it more.

I hope this helps.
 
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