Do cats have Asperger Syndrome?

On Saturday 20th February I was fortunate to have attended International Asperger Day Conference with D Professor Dr Tony Attwood where I heard him speak, adults with Asperger Syndrome and more importantly Kathy Hooprmann.  As I am working with cats at the moment in the University Vet School and observing their behaviour, it seems that cats do have some autistic tenancies.  Cats seem to show affection differently to other animals, especially dogs and cats seem to get over stimulated very easily.  Cats seem to prefer space more so than dogs and are curious and have some eccentric like tenancies. 

In attempting to pin point with accuracy whether cats do present autistic traits or perhaps are autistic people friendly, it could be said that cats seem to be more preferred to autistic people as they are quiet and tend to respond to emotions and situations around them differently.  Cats like to take their time in getting to know a person and are not full on or problematic like some people can be.  Dogs for instance tend to be more active, full on and demanding in certain ways but also a dog can show affection whereas a cat may not.  I think cats are more curious and when they show responses these tend to be perhaps  unconventional or expressed in different ways.

Aspies prefer cats I think because cats have unique personalities which are manifested and portrayed in each animal differently.  A cat prefers space but yet is social like a person with AS who can be sociable but wired differently to those around them.   I think "All Cats Have Asperger Syndrome" by Kathy Hoopmann would be an interesting read by adults not only on the Autistic Spectrum but by the general public as well.  More research is needed like the previous research on Autistic Children and Dolphins to find out more about cats.  Hopefully in time more can be understood and just why a lot of Asperger Adults tend to prefer cats over other animals.  Perhaps cats have a means of unlocking parts of the Autistic Brain when dealt with by people with Autism.  More research is needed I guess? More about the book by Kathy Hoopermann http://specialchildren.about.com/od/booksonaspergersyndrome/gr/allcatshaveAS.htm