People with Asperger's (now part of Autism Spectrum Disorder) have difficulty with social skills because they struggle to intuitively grasp unspoken social rules, interpret nonverbal cues like facial expressions and tone, and understand others' perspectives (Theory of Mind). This often leads to misunderstandings, awkward interactions, and challenges in initiating or maintaining conversations, as social learning isn't as natural and requires conscious effort, sometimes relying on rigid rules rather than spontaneous adaptation.
High-functioning Asperger's (now part of Autism Spectrum Disorder) symptoms involve strong language/intelligence but social communication difficulties, sensory sensitivities, and restricted interests, including poor eye contact, literal thinking, trouble with sarcasm, intense focus on specific topics (hyperfocus), needing strict routines, and feeling easily overwhelmed by social situations or sensory input like lights/sounds, leading to anxiety and isolation.
Asperger's Syndrome, a form of Autism Spectrum Disorder, is a developmental disorder. Young people with Asperger's Syndrome may have a hard time relating to others socially, repetitive behavior patterns, and a narrow range of interests.
Social skills don't come naturally for people with Asperger's. But you can learn these skills. Generally, the best way to learn social skills is through skills training, and your doctor may recommend medicine and other therapies as well.
Asperger's Syndrome is among the group of developmental disorders commonly known as autistic spectrum disorders. Children with Asperger's Syndrome are socially awkward (typically because of pragmatic language deficits) and become intensely preoccupied with certain areas of interest or topics.
Around 90% of autism cases are attributed to genetic factors, meaning autism is highly heritable, with many different genes contributing, rather than a single cause, often interacting with environmental influences during early brain development, though specific environmental factors don't cause it but can increase risk. Twin studies show strong genetic links, with concordance rates between 60-90% in identical twins, and research points to complex interactions of many genes and prenatal/perinatal factors.
The "6-second rule" for autism is a communication strategy where a speaker pauses for about six seconds after asking a question or giving information, giving the autistic person extra time to process it without feeling rushed, which helps reduce anxiety and allows for a more thoughtful response, reducing frustration for both parties. Instead of repeating or rephrasing, which can be confusing, you wait, and if needed, repeat the exact same words after the pause.
Chinning is a form of repetitive self-stimulatory behavior (stimming) that you may notice in children or adults with autism. It involves pressing, rubbing, or holding the chin against objects, surfaces, or even hands to gain sensory input or comfort.
Physical Symptoms:
Those with Asperger's syndrome, in contrast, must by definition have suffered no cognitive delay during their first 3 years of life. This means that they will usually have at least a “normal” IQ. In some cases, their IQ may be very high, even in the genius range. There are, however, different kinds of smarts.
As an autistic person, it can sometimes be difficult to feel like you 'fit in' or to find your place in the world. Because of this, many autistic people can end up being socially isolated and lonely. Some autistic people may enjoy being alone, while others may want to socialise but may not know how to.
Computer science is a good choice because it is very likely that many of the best programmers have either Asperger's syndrome or some of its traits. Other good majors are: accounting, engineering, library science, and art with an emphasis on commercial art and drafting.
Individuals with Asperger's syndrome often struggle with social interactions, understanding social cues, and maintaining eye contact. In contrast, individuals with ADHD generally have fewer social impairments, although they may struggle with impulsivity or interrupting others in conversations.
Characteristics of Asperger syndrome include difficulty with social interactions and unusual behaviors such as:
Loving Someone with Asperger's: 5 Tips to Strengthen Your Bond
Dan Aykroyd, the famous actor and comedian renowned for his roles in films like Ghostbusters, has had a remarkable journey with Asperger's syndrome.
People with Asperger's syndrome (Aspies) tend to be above average in intelligence and have very focused interests. We also have a repetitive type of behavior. This means that in a job where we are problem-solving, this type of behavior is very helpful. It also enhances the ability to solve problems.
Like people with autism, people with Asperger's syndrome have a dreadful time understanding what is going on, socially. They do not always pay attention to the social scene in which they find themselves, and even when they do, they are often not able to make sense of what they see, or to respond appropriately.
Babies with Autism Do Smile – Just Not Always How You Would Expect. A common misconception about autism is that babies with autism don't smile. They do — but their smiles may appear less frequently, come at unexpected moments, or not seem directly tied to social interaction.
Common Obsessions in Autism
One concept that has gained increasing attention is Cassandra Syndrome-a situation where one partner (often the neurotypical) feels unheard, unseen, or invalidated, especially when their struggles in the relationship are minimized or dismissed.
"Looping" in autism, often called "autism looping," is a non-clinical term for getting stuck in repetitive thought patterns, questions, or phrases, like a broken record, often due to anxiety, sensory overload, or a need for resolution, making it hard to switch focus and causing stress, overlapping with perseveration and rumination. It can manifest as replaying conversations, worrying intensely, or repeating sounds/words (echolalia) as a way to process or self-regulate.
There's no single "hardest" age for autism; challenges shift across developmental stages, with preschool (2-5) often tough due to noticeable differences in social/language skills, elementary (6-10) marked by growing academic/social demands, and adolescence (11-17) frequently being overwhelming due to complex social pressures, puberty, and identity formation, say Bluebell ABA Therapy and Blossom ABA Therapy. While early childhood (ages 3-6) sees initial progress for many, this often stalls around age six, a critical turning point where increased support is crucial, according to research, notes The Transmitter.
In general, people who have an active lifestyle are much more emotionally resilient and focused. There also seems to be some evidence that physical exercise helps people with depression and ADHD, which are commonly co-occurring conditions with autism.