Asperger’s or Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) was previously a diagnosis on the Autism spectrum. Since 2013, it has been a part of the diagnosis of the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Although what separates Asperger’s from other types of Autism, is the magnitude by which it affects the affected. Therefore, people with Asperger’s generally tend to possess strong verbal skills and a higher intellectual ability.
Nevertheless, people with Asperger’s face a wide range of difficulties such as difficulties with social interactions, restricted interests, hypersensitivity, anxiety, depression and difficulty with non verbal communication skills. Although the diagnosis of Asperger’s is not used anymore, there are still specific ways that one can interact or communicate with people that have previously been diagnosed with this condition.
The following ways to communicate are strategies used to develop the skills of children with Asperger’s, but might be useful to consider when communicating with adults too.
These ways are:
Initiating Communication
It is important to note that people with Asperger’s are not wilfully ignoring you when you try to speak them and they don’t respond, especially when dealing with children. A way that you can try to break the barrier is by starting each conversation with their name and trying to (although this might be difficult) maintain eye contact. Another way to start a conversation is by engaging in the same activity they are doing- running for example!
Non-Verbal Communication
Another thing to keep in mind is that people with Asperger’s usually struggle to communicate non-verbally and even interpret non-verbal communication. They might not be able to distinguish solely through facial expressions or body language whether you’re joking or if you’re serious. So, it is best to keep communication straightforward and sentences short and simple. Additionally, they might take some time to interpret what you have said, so patience is key.
Ask Close-Ended or Multiple Choice Questions
It has been found that people with Asperger’s struggle to respond to open-ended questions. So, when you need an immediate response, it is best to ask them questions that require a yes/no answer or questions that present them with options to choose from. In the context of running, instead of asking them how many rounds of the track they want to do, you can ask them whether they want to do 2 rounds or 5 rounds, or less or more. It is evident to note that presenting them with options can provoke a more spontaneous response.
An important point to note is that people with Asperger’s struggle to grasp the concept of the ‘theory of mind’. Which means that they might not be able to understand the thoughts and motivations of others. Remember that this is not a lack of empathy, but simply the inability to understand the emotional state of others.
Sources used:
- https://www.autismspeaks.org/types-autism-what-asperger-syndrome
- https://www.superpharmacy.com.au/blog/asperger-syndrome-strategies-for-communicating-with-people-with-asperger-s
