Asperger syndrome is a type of highly functional autism. People with this disorder are usually able to function normally within society; however, they do have their share of struggles. These struggles are usually more obvious in certain social situations.

First, it is important to understand some of the underlying symptoms that can impact social behavior. People with Asperger syndrome are easily overstimulated by noise and crowds. They have a tendency to focus inwardly instead of on their surroundings, or on other people. Also, they usually have a few obscure areas of interest where their knowledge is very deep, and they tend to focus heavily on these interests.

To most people, someone with Asperger syndrome will seem a bit withdrawn. They are usually not talkative, especially in crowds, and tend to keep to themselves. In fact, they may avoid social situations entirely, preferring to spend their time in quiet isolation where they can think about their interests.

A person with Asperger syndrome may be happy to engage in a conversation with you, especially if you focus on their favorite interests. However, they may talk endlessly about those interests and you might find yourself completely overwhelmed. It is OK to change the subject in these situations. Be understanding, but do not let them dominate the conversation. Politely mention that you do not know much about their favorite subject, and would like to talk about something else.

People with Asperger syndrome will also be hesitant to approach others. Often, they make friends with those who approach them first. They may even seek out a highly social friend who can handle some socialization tasks, such as meeting new people, for them.

A person with Asperger’s will be much more comfortable in an intimate environment, especially if it encourages intellectual conversation. For example, a discussion about the merits of a particular jazz musician, or the theories presented in a book, are the kind of discussions where these people will excel. Such socialization allows them to connect with people, but also use their strong reasoning and analytical skills.

You may notice that people with Asperger syndrome do not pick up on the subtleties of conversation. They may not get a joke until they have had more time to think about it. Also, they might not wear trendy clothes. Dealing with such subtleties is difficult because people with Asperger’s are not as sensing and do not pick up on what other people are wearing.

In general, a person with Asperger syndrome may come across a quirky or eccentric, and definitely withdrawn. However, they usually learn to compensate for many of these issues, and can succeed socially. Often, they make up for their shortcomings by sheer reasoning; they deliberately study the social behaviors of others and try to model them, often with success.