| Individuals with Asperger's Syndrome find it | | | | humor of AS people is apparent. |
| difficult to interact with other people. They have | | | | Paying compliments is hard to do when |
| difficulties reading subtle context clues thus their | | | | metaphors do not make any sense. One might |
| verbal and non-verbal communication is | | | | think that someone is using an odd phrase and |
| sometimes found odd at best -- and offensive at | | | | then try it out on someone else; only to be told |
| worst -- by others. Some examples are the | | | | what was just said is rude, foolish or even |
| following: | | | | suggestive. |
| Eye contact is an essential part of interaction, but | | | | These are but a few of the situations people with |
| for someone with Asperger's Syndrome even the | | | | Asperger's Syndrome have to deal with. When |
| simple task of creating and keeping eye contact is | | | | they are in the company of those they feel at |
| difficult. | | | | ease with, it becomes a learning experience. Yet, |
| Trying to create a healthy mix between staring | | | | when they are corrected by those they do not |
| and furtive glances, the individual dealing with | | | | know well or are easily embarrassed by, it might |
| Asperger's Syndrome is unable to make sense of | | | | become a social nightmare for the individual, |
| the subtle clues brought on by a conversation. | | | | especially when she or he is young. |
| These signal to everyone else when it is time to | | | | Parents and caregivers are urged to role-play with |
| look in the speaker's eyes, when to express | | | | their youngsters and to ensure that they |
| surprise with the eyes and when to look away. | | | | understand certain nuances. While it is not realistic |
| Speaking in a monotone and lacking voice | | | | to expect that children with AS will completely |
| inflection, people around them cannot tell if the | | | | overcome communication difficulties, there is a |
| person with AS is stating a fact or telling a joke. | | | | good chance that role playing games will make all |
| The same is true with giving out compliments or | | | | the difference in the child's future interactions. In |
| using metaphors which falls flat when spoken by | | | | addition, these will also provide a safe |
| people by AS because of their sometimes stilted | | | | environment for the child to try out some |
| manner of speech. However, in written | | | | metaphors, make a first stab at humor, and even |
| communication (e.g. online chatting), the wit and | | | | practice eye contact. |