Asperger’s syndrome is part of the autism spectrum disorder, also known as ASD. According to medical experts, it is a mild form of autism and generally manifests without extreme mental disabilities. The main outward characteristics of a person with Asperger’s syndrome are poor social skills, lacking nonverbal communication, and being clumsy.

Unlike other forms of autism, brain imaging has not shown a common pathology between sufferers. Scientists believe that there may be a genetic cause of the syndrome, as many times multiple people in one household can have the illness. So far, no genes have been identified in relation to the syndrome.

In a small percentage of cases, exposure to certain chemicals and medications while in utero are believed to have contributed to Asperger’s. There are many theories of how an individual may develop Asperger’s syndrome, but none have been conclusively proven yet. Currently, there are hundreds of studies from scientists around the world trying to understand the cause and treatment of this syndrome.

Here are 15 classic symptoms of Asperger’s syndrome. If you are worried about yourself or a loved one having this syndrome, talk to your doctor about screening options.

1. Failure to Develop Friendships

Children who have Asperger’s syndrome may have difficulty cultivating friendships. They may not connect with their peers due to a lack of social skills. They may find it hard to talk to other children and adults or to participate in group activities.

This can be difficult for a child with Asperger’s as they may want very deeply to connect with their peers. Oppositely, some children with Asperger’s have no desire to make friendships and will prefer to be by themselves.

2. Selective Mutism

Young children with Asperger’s may demonstrate selective mutism as a symptom. This occurs when they will only speak freely with people they are comfortable with, and may not speak at all to strangers. Extreme cases last for years. Immediate family members are typically unaffected, as the child often feels comfortable speaking to them.

Selective mutism more often occurs at school and in public and some children may refuse to speak to anyone starting from a very young age. This condition can go away on its own, or your child may benefit from therapy.

3. Inability to Empathize

Individuals with Asperger’s syndrome may find difficulty empathizing with others. As they age, the affected person will learn the accepted social response for interacting with others. While they may react appropriately and say the “right” things, they may not understand why the other person is truly upset. In some cases knowing what they wish to say however the word come out wrong.

This can be an issue in childhood as the individual with Asperger’s may play too roughly with their peers or say harsh things, unknowingly hurting the other person. When confronted for this behaviour, the child may respond that what they said was true and that they do not understand the issue.

4. Unable to Make Eye Contact or Forcing Eye Contact

People who suffer from Asperger’s syndrome may find it difficult to make and hold eye contact with people they are speaking to. Some believe this condition is brought about from a lack of confidence. Others recount how making eye contact can make them very uncomfortable, almost painful.

There is also the theory that people with Asperger’s syndrome do not realize how important eye contact is for social communication. This may lead to the opposite problem of forcing eye contact. This can make people even more uncomfortable, while the individual with Asperger’s believes they are being more approachable.

5. Social Awkwardness

The idea that people with Asperger’s syndrome are not passionate is completely wrong. One common term professionals use to describe people who suffer from this illness is “active but odd.” They may become very socially active, forming close friendships.

Others may try to surround themselves with people, making lots of close acquaintances, but no deep friendships. This can be related to how well the individual empathizes with others. People with Asperger’s syndrome may not show many outward signs of this illness.

6. Narrowed Interests

Individuals with Asperger’s syndrome may do poorly in school, while others fair well, but that is not to say they don’t have specific interests. Instead, their interests are likely very narrowed and focused. It could be playing video games, making models, music or drawing. In some cases they may Excel in theracter.

These activities focus their minds and provide a sense of comfort for them. If they are forced to leave their projects, they may become distressed. Likewise, if their projects are failing. Fostering these narrowed interests is important for emotional and mental support.

7. Sticking to Routine

Sticking to a routine can be very important for people with Asperger’s syndrome. They may become greatly distressed and anxious when their schedule changes. New situations can be frightening.

A routine can help manage the anxiety of people with Asperger’s syndrome. Thankfully, much of our world runs on tight schedules. If you suspect your child may have Asperger’s syndrome, putting them on a tight schedule may be an effective way to help manage some of their symptoms.

8. Literal Interpretations

One of the symptoms of Asperger’s syndrome is literally interpreting what people say. The affected individual may not understand sarcasm, instead taking what the person has said as truth. The idea that people with Asperger’s syndrome do not understand humor is wrong.

These individuals may be the funniest people you have ever met. When they realize the fault of their literal interpretations, they are able to understand the true meaning behind what is being said, perhaps with some explanation.

9. Excellent Pattern Recognition

Another symptom of Asperger’s syndrome is the amazing ability to recognize patterns. Often these individuals’ brains are trying to make sense of their surroundings, so a break in pattern may show itself quite clearly.

This ability may be evident in childhood, as early schooling develops the neural pathways of pattern recognition. While children with Asperger’s syndrome may find the school setting difficult and struggle with their grades, pattern problems like math and in art may be very enriching. Fostering this natural talent is a great idea.

10. Poor Motor Skills

Some people with Asperger’s syndrome may find it difficult to control their gross and fine motor skills. The motor issues may manifest through poor handwriting thought to be caused by poor hand-eye coordination.

If you or someone you know experiences any of the symptoms indicated, it’s best to seek medical attention. While these symptoms do not necessarily mean the individual has Asperger’s, it’s always best to seek the advice of a medical professional.

11. Trouble Understanding Social Cues

As mentioned earlier, people with Asperger’s syndrome can be socially awkward, often due to their difficulty in empathizing with others. But another reason they may struggle in these situations is because they have trouble picking up on or understanding others’ nonverbal social cues.

These social cues include things like body language, gestures, and facial expressions. For example, WebMD says the individual “may not realize that when somebody crosses his arms and scowls, he’s angry.”

12. Repetitive Motor Mannerisms

Along with having a very narrow set of interests and need for routine, individuals with Asperger’s may demonstrate restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior in physical form. Most noticeably, they may make repetitive motor mannerisms.

These can include “arm or hand-flapping, finger-flicking, rocking, jumping, spinning or twirling, head-banging and complex body movements,” says The National Autistic Society. The source adds that these repetitive movements may also involve an object, “such as flicking a rubber band or twirling a piece of string,” or the senses, “such as repeatedly feeling a particular texture.”

13. Abnormal Language and Speech Patterns

There are a variety of different communication symptoms associated with Asperger’s syndrome. Taking what people say literally, as already discussed, is just one of them. Another one is having an usual style of speaking, which can sound formal and scripted, almost robot-like.

People with the condition may also use complex words or phrases, even if they don’t fully understand what they mean. eMedicineHealth.com adds that they may have trouble moderating “volume, intonation, inflection, rate, and rhythm of speech” as well. And, when engaging in conversations, they may not know when it is their turn to speak, resulting in them frequently interrupting others.

14. Heightened Sensitivity

Some individuals with Asperger’s may also exhibit sensory sensitivities. Autism-Help.org explains that this is because “the nervous system has difficulty receiving, filtering, organizing and making use of sensory information.”

As a result, they may experience sensitivity or overstimulation when exposed to things like loud noises, bright lights, and certain textures or tastes. Additionally, the source says a child with Asperger’s “may also be unresponsive to sensations that their parents find unpleasant, such as extreme heat, cold or pain.” For a parent that doesn’t have Asperger’s, such sensitivities can be hard to understand and may be misunderstood as misbehavior.

15. Difficulty Judging Personal Space

Gauging personal space is another challenge that people with Asperger’s commonly face. For example, the Interactive Autism Network says, “They may stand too close to others and walk between people who are talking.”

They may also be very sensitive about their own personal space. For example, they tend to need more of it than the average person, and can be intolerant if others invade it—like if people sit too close to them, bump into them, or try to give them hugs.

Definition:Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disability; signs typically appear during early childhood and affect a person’s ability to communicate, and interact with others. ASD is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a “spectrum condition” that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees.

Guys like you and me we’re just the losers
Who keep waiting to be seen, right?
I mean no one seems to care or stops to notice that we’re there
So we get lost in the in-between

But
If you can somehow keep them thinking of me
And make me more than an abandoned memory
That means we matter too
It means someone will see that you are there

No one deserves to be forgotten
No one deserves to fade away
No one should come and go
And have no one know he was ever even here
No one deserves to disappear
To disappear
Disappear

It’s true
Even if you’ve always been that barely-in-the-background kind of guy
You still matter

And even if you’re somebody who can’t escape the feeling
That the world’s passed you by
You still matter

If you never get around to doing some remarkable thing
That doesn’t mean that you’re not worth remembering
Think of the people who need to know

They need to know

So you need to show them (I need to show them)
That no one deserves to be forgotten
No one deserves to be forgotten

No one deserves to fade away
To fade away

No one should flicker out or have any doubt
That it matters that they are here

No one deserves (no one deserves)
To disappear to disappear
Disappear

When you’re falling in a forest
And there’s nobody around
All you want is for somebody to find you
When you’re falling in a forest
And when you hit the ground
All you need is for somebody to find you

I’m calling it the Connor project

The Connor project?

A student group dedicated to keeping Connor’s memory alive
To showing that everybody should matter

We have to do this. Not just for Connor, for everyone

‘Cause no one deserves to be forgotten

No one deserves To fade away
We’re calling it the Connor project
The Connor project?

Imagine a major online presence
A massive fundraising drive

And for the kickoff event: an all-school memorial assembly

I didn’t realize Connor meant this much to people

Oh Evan, this is wonderful!

No one deserves to be forgotten
No one deserves to fade away
No one deserves to disappear
No one deserves to disappear

No one should flicker out or have any doubt
That it matters that they are here

No one deserves (no one deserves)
No one deserves to disappear

To disappear

Disappear

No one deserves (to be forgotten)
Disappear
To disappear, disappear
To disappear, disappear
Disappear
To disappear

Disappear (disappear)
To disappear
Disappear

Songwriters: Benj Pasek / Justin Paul

Disappear lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing

Having spent over 14 year’s with someone who has Asperger’s, I understand their difficulties communicating with people. The ideas are there but it is finding the words to get their point across that is the problem.

The symptoms of Asperger’s may change over time but the underlying condition doesn’t worsen.

The simple answer to this question is, no. Asperger’s is not like heart disease or diabetes or similar physical conditions that can deteriorate over time. People are born with Asperger’s, and while the condition itself can change with time and often does, the underlying causes of Asperger’s do not worsen.

Tony Attwood, the internationally recognized expert on Asperger’s, notes that the symptoms of Asperger’s are usually obvious when the child starts school and is exposed to greater social interaction. Later, as the adolescent and adult develops more coping skills and is better able to manage the demands of being around people, the same symptoms become less noticeable. In later years, those symptoms often are more prominent, not because the underlying condition has declined but because the person cares less about how his or her behavior affects others.

In short, the symptoms of Asperger’s can get worse but the condition itself doesn’t.

Here are various considerations that help explain how and why changes, both positive and negative, in one’s symptoms occur as aging continues.

Often, adults with Asperger’s develop one or more comorbid conditions, a term for mental and emotional disorders that tend to occur along with Asperger’s. Depression and anxiety are the most common, and both intensify the negative symptoms of Asperger’s. An adult with Asperger’s who is significantly depressed is likely to become more irritable and prone to meltdowns, for example. Anxiety interferes with concentration and thus one’s ability to engage socially or converse in a meaningful way.

Life circumstances have a significant impact on the symptoms of an adult with Asperger’s. A work promotion, geographic relocation, marriage, even less noticeable changes in one’s environment and situation might exceed the person’s ability to cope. What are seen as “normal” Asperger’s symptoms become intensified and more visible. Referred to as “Asperger’s regression” the loss of typical skills and abilities appears as a worsening of one’s Asperger’s.

A little-known fact of Asperger’s are the natural changes in this condition that happen over time. Studies show that restrictive, repetitive behavior, a hallmark of Asperger’s prevalent during childhood, is less noticeable in adulthood. The same is true of repetitive body movements, such as the hand flapping in classical autism. Clearly, the symptoms of Asperger’s can change, and while in these cases the changes are in a positive direction other symptoms can get worse.

Studies have also found a direct association between the prevalence of certain symptoms in childhood and changes in different symptoms during adulthood. Children with Asperger’s who have strong executive functioning skills (the ability to plan and carry out complex tasks) tend to also have a more developed theory of mind (the ability to understand others’ thoughts and beliefs). These children typically develop better coping skills later in life. The converse is also true. The coping skills of children with poor executive functioning and theory of mind tend to diminish through their adult years.

Finally, there are the natural effects of aging. Cognitive flexibility diminishes. Attention and memory decline. Emotional well-being is tested by the physical demands of growing old. Social connections are often harder to sustain as one’s mobility decreases and care for one’s physical health and safety takes priority. All this tends to amplify the existing challenges of Asperger’s. It does not mean, however, the Asperger’s itself is worsening.

You might wonder what the argument about worsening of symptoms is really about. After all, if one’s behavior deteriorates and it’s harder to be around the person, what does it matter whether the actual condition has changed. My answer is that attributing changes in behavior to a worsening of the condition deflects attention away from the real causes of this change and makes it harder to successfully address these negative behaviors. Understanding the real reason why someone’s Asperger’s is more difficult and harder to deal with makes reversing those changes much easier.

Dr. Kenneth Roberson is an Asperger’s psychologist in San Francisco with over 30 years of experience. To ask a question or schedule an appointment, please call 415-922-1122.