Overview of Asperger Syndrome Signs and Symptoms

Asperger Syndrome is a pervasive developmental disorder that affects a person's ability to effectively communicate and socialize. Asperger Syndrome is considered a mild, high functioning form of autism (on the autism spectrum).

There are so many resources with wonderful information about Asperger Syndrome. Though finding detailed information outlining the specific signs and symptoms of Asperger Syndrome can become quite overwhelming, especially if you are a parent of a child who may have Asperger Syndrome. This is an inclusive list of many of the signs and symptoms of Asperger Syndrome.

1. Impaired Social Interaction - Your child may lack inborn social skills. The child may not "get" social cues. Some areas of confusion may be in: body language, conversations, and turn taking. He or she may talk a lot, usually about a favorite subject. One-sided, long-winded conversations are common for people with Asperger Syndrome. He or she often verbalizes internal thoughts without consideration of the appropriateness of these thoughts.

2. Speech and language peculiarities and Non-verbal communication problems - A child with Asperger Syndrome may not be able to recognize speech differences in the tone, pitch, and accent that change the meaning of others' speech. So, your child may not understand a joke or may take a sarcastic comment literally. Therefore, your child may have "flat affect" in his or her speech and be difficult to understand because their speech lacks tone, pitch, and accent. Peculiarities such as a formal style of speaking that is advanced for his or her age is also noted in children with Apserger Syndrome. They also tend to avoid eye contact.

3. Limited interests and unusual preoccupations - Your child may be preoccupied with one or a few interests (which he or she may be very knowledgeable about). They often have an intense focus on their chosen interests. Children with Asperger Syndrome may be preoccupied with their own agenda.