According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, or NINDS, an estimated two in every 10,000 children have the developmental disorder Asperger's syndrome. Boys are three to four times more likely than girls to get the disorder, and many of the children diagnosed become adults with other psychiatric problems. Asperger's falls into a group with the autism spectrum disorders, but it is recognized as a disorder separate from autism, the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual says. Asperger's syndrome primarily affects socialization and communication with others.
Communication Difficulty
A primary feature that distinguishes Asperger's from autism is in severity of symptoms, the Autism Society of America says. In Asperger's, a child may have good language and thinking skills, but he may use language differently. The Mayo Clinic explains that speaking is often rigid and monotonous rather than expressive with depth. A person with Asperger's might engage in a one-way conversation and won't recognize whether a listener participates or listens. He might speak incessantly about a particular subject with a focus on random facts rather than on having a pointed conversation, the NINDS says. Unlike autism, a person with Asperger's does not have a delay in speech, but the voice often has a rhythmic nature that may be inappropriate for conversation. For instance, someone with this disorder might not recognize when to use a quiet voice in a quiet location without being told.
Obsession with Subjects
Obsession with subjects such as sports or weather is a sign of Asperger's, the Mayo Clinic says. The Autism Society of America explains that obsession due to Asperger's may include collecting items and learning everything about the items through rote memory. The obsessive interests in subjects helps distinguish the disorder, the NINDS says. Although having this ability makes a person with Asperger's proficient in the subject topic, she may have difficulty with abstract concepts.
Social Awkwardness
A person with Asperger's usually wants to fit into social situations, but it is difficult to recognize the conventional rules of socialization to do so. A person may lack empathy, have poor eye contact and not understand hand gestures. Misunderstanding humor and an inability to empathize is a common sign of Asperger's syndrome, the Mayo Clinic says.
Lack of Coordination
A person with Asperger's syndrome may have developmental delays in motor skills and might show poor coordination or appear clumsy in everyday activities such as running or riding a bike. He may also have odd posture or a rigid gait. The Autism Society of America indicates that this is not always a distinguishing feature in children with Asperger's.
