Asperger’s Syndrome is marked by unusual behaviors and difficulty with social interactions. Some professionals equate this disorder to high-functioning autism, whereas others see autism and Asperger’s as distinct diagnoses. Symptoms frequently include:

Unusual behaviors

• Narrow, intense interests or “obsessions.”
• Intense fascination for unusual things, like doorknobs or alarm clocks.
• Rigid about sticking to routines and rituals.
• A tendency to experience odd physical habits, like unusual ways of walking or talking.
• Fascination with parts of objects; for example, taking apart TV’s.

Difficulty with social interactions

• Problems understanding nonverbal communication. Problems understanding facial expressions and gestures.
• Difficulty understanding social “rules” and cues
• Difficulty finding close friends
• Lack of interest in sharing time with others.
• Difficulty expressing interest in another person’s welfare.
• Often prefer to be with animals or inanimate objects than with other people.

Other characteristics that aren’t always present

• Very formal and complex language, as if reading from an encyclopedia.
• Tendency to interpret things literally.
• Extremely sensitive to touch, smells, sounds, tastes, and sights (for example, they might prefer soft clothing, low stimulus environments, or mild-tasting food).
• Tendency to be physically awkward
• Exhibits messy handwriting
• Dislike of being touched.

Extra notes on personality, character, and history:

• It is speculated that Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton might have had Asperger’s Syndrome.
• Children with Asperger’s disorder sometimes display advanced abilities in language, reading, mathematics, spatial skills, and/or music compared to their age group, often reaching into the “genius” range.
• Adults with this disorder tend to be talented in logic and spatial imagery, a characteristic that often leads to professional success, especially in careers where they can work alone.
• Individuals with Asperger’s are known for their witty sense of humor, usually involving intelligent wordplay and satire

     Alex Natalian is a pseudonym for psychiatrist KRR.