Asperger Syndrome - 4

Difficulty with social interaction: Many individuals with Asperger Syndrome would like to be sociable. They tend to have trouble initiating and sustaining social relationships, however, which can create anxiety. This can trigger downshifting of the brain and compound the problem. Because they have difficulty picking up social cues they also may have difficulty knowing what to do when they misunderstand or misinterpret social interactions. Many people with Asperger syndrome want to be sociable but have difficulty with initiating and sustaining social relationships, which can make them very anxious as they struggle to make and maintain friendships. They may:

• Fail to understand unwritten social rules and codes of conduct for specific types of events, information that most people absorb without thinking (e.g., may stand too close to a person they want to talk with or begin the conversation with an inappropriate topic)
  
  
•  Perceive other individuals as confusing, inconsistent, or unpredictable, especially if telling jokes or teasing others 

• Withdraw because of anxiety or fear, appearing somewhat aloof when they really want to make friends, thus behaving in a way that may appear inappropriate for the situation

 You may be able to assist by helping the individual with Asperger Syndrome to create several short, concise lists of basic social rules for specific types of social gatherings, including topics that it would be best to avoid.