Asperger's syndrome is a neurological disorder that affects the development of social skills. People with Asperger's can usually function in society, although some of their mannerisms may seem peculiar to others. This disorder is usually diagnosed in childhood, but some people are not diagnosed until adulthood. Some people with Asperger's are never formally diagnosed. The signs of Asperger's in adults vary from person to person as many learn to control mannerisms developed during childhood.
Inflexibility
The adult with Asperger's syndrome may seem inflexible. He may wish to follow a particular routine, eat the same food each day and wear the same clothing each Saturday. He may keep extensive checklists to ensure he carries out each part of his daily routine. However, he may not wish to plan for the future and attempt to avoid discussions along that line.
Limited Interests
The interests of those with Asperger's are limited to one or two subjects. The person with Asperger's often has an excellent memory for facts and may become an expert in a particular topic. She may show little interest in something that someone else is trying to explain to her. Her conversations are often one-sided, and she can speak at great length on her favorite subject without noticing that the other person is not interested.
Unusual Speech
The person with Asperger's may use uncommon words and have a monotonous or odd voice. You may notice he avoids small talk and seldom laughs. He may lack facial expression and might not notice the expressions or body language of others. He may sound as though he is delivering a formal college lecture when he is talking to people he knows well.
Empathy Problems
The adult with Asperger's may seem unfeeling to others. She may not spontaneously express affection or show empathy when her mate is sad. Intimate time spent with her may feel superficial, and she may speak to her husband the same as she does a repairman. Her apparent lack of empathy can lead to relationship problems.
Social Awkwardness
KidsHealth explains that the adult with Asperger's may have difficulty in social situations. He may appear to be socially awkward and not know how to behave in a crowd. You may notice that he seems to have anxiety when around others. He may develop a tic or perform an act, such as rocking, to calm himself while or after dealing with others. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke reports that the young adult with Asperger's is at risk of developing both anxiety disorder and depressive disorder.
Easy Overstimulation
The adult with Asperger's syndrome may seem overstimulated by loud music or other noises. She may hold her ears when the noise level rises. She may complain about bright lights or have difficulty dealing with certain types of lighting. You may notice that she flinches from touch and wears only comfortable, loose-fitting fabrics.
Difficulty With Societal Rules
Although the high-functioning adult with Asperger's may adopt many "normal" mannerisms through adulthood, he may still have a poor grasp on social functioning and unspoken rules. He may have difficulty understanding the difference in how he should treat a friend vs. an acquaintance or how he should treat a date vs. someone he has just met. As a result, his behavior may be frightening to others.
