Asperger syndrome is a form of autism, which is a lifelong disability that affects how a person makes sense of the world, processes information and relates to other people. 

What is Aspergers?

Asperger syndrome is a form of autism, which is a lifelong disability that affects how a person makes sense of the world, processes information and relates to other people. Autism is often described as a 'spectrum disorder' because the condition affects people in many different ways and to varying degrees. 

While there are similarities with autism, people with Asperger syndrome have fewer problems with speaking and are often of average, or above average, intelligence. 

Asperger syndrome is often a 'hidden disability'. This means that you can't tell that someone has the condition from their outward appearance.  They may just appear a little ‘odd’. 

People with Asperger syndrome can find it harder to read the signals that most of us take for granted. This means they find it more difficult to communicate and interact with others, which can lead to high levels of anxiety and confusion.  
Being on the autism spectrum, a person with Asperger’s will show characteristics within Lorna Wing’s Triad of Impairments.  (Wing, 1981). 
These include challenges with: 

• Social interaction  
• Social communication  
• Social imagination 

These Triad of impairments will manifest in different ways and to varying degrees for each individual.  However there are some general observable features, listed below. ​

Social Interaction 
People with Asperger’s have difficulty picking up social cues, and difficulty in knowing what to do when I get things wrong in social situations 
Many want to be sociable but have difficulty with social relationships, including:  

• Struggling to make and maintain friendships 
• Not understanding the unwritten 'social rules' that most of us inherently know. For example – standing within another’s personal space 
• Finding other people unpredictable and confusing 
• Withdrawing in social situations; appearing uninterested in other people; appearing almost aloof 
• Behaving in what may seem an inappropriate manner 

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Social Communication 
People with Asperger’s often find it difficult to express themselves.  This may include: 

• Having difficulty understanding gestures, facial expressions or tone of voice 
• Having difficulty knowing when to start or end a conversation and choosing topics to talk about 
• Using  complex words and phrases but may not fully understand what they mean 
• Being very literal in what they say and can have difficulty understanding jokes, metaphor and sarcasm

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Social Imagination 
People with Asperger’s can be imaginative.  But they often have trouble guessing what others are thinking and feeling.  This can include: 

• Difficulty in imagining alternative outcomes to situations  

• Finding it difficult to predict what will happen next 
• Having trouble understanding or interpreting other people's thoughts, feelings or actions
• Missing the subtle messages from facial expression and body language 

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Other common observable behaviours of people with Aspergers include things such as: 

• The love of / need to stick to routines 
• Having areas of special, often intense interest 
• Over or under sensitivity to sensory stimuli (such as sounds, tastes, textures etc) 

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Information reproduced with kind permission of The National Autistic Society, 2010

Madison is eleven and has Asperger Syndrome. This program seems to fit her needs so well; it has definitely brought her to a better understanding of the world and her place in it. I continue to see her evolving in small, subtle ways. I am sure that the positive changes it has brought will help her to feel more confident and help her in her life’s journey.

​- Madison’s Mom – Pennsylvania USA