• Finding conversation difficult
• Not understanding concepts such as turn taking and sharing
• Showing a lack of empathy for how other people feel
• Seeming to be introverted and preferring to spend time alone
• Preferring routine and becoming upset when routine is disrupted
• Having little imagination
• Difficulty making friends
• Delayed developments of motor skills e.g. finding it hard to use cutlery
• Poor handwriting
• Understanding and being able to communicate, but misunderstanding elements of language such as changes in a person’s tone of voice
• Having very specific interests that other people may see as excessive or obsessive
• Having some sensitivity to noise, light etc
• Experiencing ‘meltdown’ when feeling overwhelmed
• Feeling anxious and displaying signs of anxiety
Impact on daily living
Some children and adults with Asperger syndrome may experience difficulty with daily life such as:
• Schoolwork – some people find education difficult, due to classrooms being busy and overstimulating, teachers being unable to provide additional support, difficulty with learning new things and writing
• Overstimulation – too much noise, visual input or social pressure can cause a person to become overwhelmed
• Feeling lonely, anxious or isolated – some people find it difficult to connect and communicate with others which, combined with having a different understanding of the world, can lead to feeling anxious
They may feel as though they do not understand the world, and may find that other people around them do not understand them. There is a lack of understanding about Asperger syndrome and autism in general, and this may make it difficult for someone with the condition to be accepted.
People with Asperger syndrome do have a valuable contribution to make to the world though and many people believe that if society was more accommodating of people that are considered to be ‘different’ then they would have a greater sense of wellbeing. Many of the behaviours that Asperger syndrome causes can actually be really positive, for example, the ability to focus on one particular topic, activity or hobby intently is not a bad thing and can lead to a person developing an excellent skill.
You may find it interesting to read real life stories to understand how some people are living with Asperger syndrome, for example, this story from The National Autistic Society about a person diagnosed in adulthood, or Sarah’s story on the NHS website. The YouTube channel ‘Invisible I’ from Katy Gough, a young woman with Asperger syndrome may also be of interest to you.