Social Problems

Many High Functioning Aspergers (HFA) syndrome children’s social problems are not recognized until they enter preschool. The first things noticed may be a tendency to avoid spontaneous social interactions, to have problems maintaining a conversation and to have a tendency to repeat phrases and make odd statements. They may not make many friends and often have difficulty keeping them.  Emotional responses such anger, aggression, or anxiety may be excessive or inappropriate to the situation. HFA children also prefer a set routine to frequent changes in the environment.

Social rejection of Aspergers syndrome children

Because of their social ineptness HFA children are often the focus of bullying, scapegoating, hazing and teasing. This often leads to anxiety, feelings of rejection, depression and withdrawal.

Adolescence may bring on crises for HFA children because the very social skills they lack are central to adolescent social developmental. Successful adolescents have sensitivities to social nuances and variations in language that nerds lack.

For some teenagers, computers are an alternative from stressful social situations. Computers also provide a more linear, modulated form of socialization that  HFA children are more skilled and comfortable at handling. Since many HFA kids become very computer proficient, they become valuable resources to their peers. It also provides a media for social interaction in which they can feel competent and valued. 

HFA adults can lead a normal life. They tend to pursue vocations that relate to their special interests, sometimes with great success, as with Einstein and Newton.  Some are able to complete college and even graduate school. However, most will continue to show subtle differences in social style. The social and emotional demands of marriage can be demanding for them.