Burton may be autistic

Tim Burton may have a form of autism, according to his longterm partner Helena Bonham Carter.

Bonham Carter recently filmed a TV movie in which she plays the real life mother of four autistic children and during her research she recognised character traits the director shares with kids with Asperger's Syndrome - of which the main symptom is an above average intelligence but less developed social and communication skills.

She explains: "Tim will kill me, but while making this drama I realised he actually has a bit off Asperger's in him. You start recognising the signs.

"We were watching a documentary about autism and he said that's how he felt as a child.

"They (autistic people) have application and dedication. You can say something to Tim when he's working and he doesn't hear you.

"But that quality also makes him a fantastic father; he has an amazing sense of humour and imagination. He sees things other people don't see. Billy is enchanted by him."