Considering that autism was only recognized in the 1940s, our knowledge of the different forms, such as Asperger, is even today still in its infancy. Many people still do not even know that such as syndrome exist. Even with the advances made, diagnosing Asperger Syndrome is not always easy, as not all sufferers necessarily exhibit all of the symptoms. Understanding it is sometimes even more difficult.

Most people affected by Asperger Syndrome have average or even high IQs and many are able to live and function on their own. In all their strangeness, they manage to create their own special niche and cope with whatever Asperger characteristics afflict them.

Difficulty in dealing with others in social situations is one of the characteristics that seem to afflict people with Asperger Syndrome in varying degrees. What we consider as normal social behavior, such as eye contact and taking turns in talking, do not matter to them. If they feel like leaving the room, even while someone is still talking to them, they will. They might also interrupt conversations and monopolize it with a subject important to them.

Almost as an extension to social interaction, language skills are usually also impaired. To people with Asperger Syndrome language is a means to share facts and information about their special interests. They do not see language as a way to share emotions and feelings and have difficulty initiating and sustaining conversation. Many also do not understand underlying meaning of words and take what is said on a very literal level.

Children with Asperger's want to have a set routine and can get highly upset if their routine is disrupted. They need the rigid structure to feel safe and secure. Usually they won't have many interests, but they tend to become obsessive about those they have.

For many with Asperger Syndrome, their fine motor skills seem to be underdeveloped. Writing, riding a bike or playing with a ball can be very difficult. To the person with Asperger Syndrome the world exists only in black and white. They assume that what they are feeling or thinking is what everybody else is thinking too. They will often say hurtful things because they have no idea that they are hurting someone else's feelings. Their ability to solve problems and stay focused are also affected.

Many Asperger children suffer from sensory issues. One or all their senses can be affected, resulting in over or under reaction. We still have a long way to go before we'll even understand a fraction of what it is to suffer from something like Asperger Syndrome. Knowing the characteristics of Asperger Syndrome and how it affects the sufferer, can go a long way towards creating tolerance and understanding.