One of the characteristics is a tendency to develop strong interests, about which they will talk endlessly, bringing a conversation round to their special interest whatever it was about to start with.

There is impairment of imagination – usually too little, but sometimes too much. There is an inability to put themselves in another’s place, appreciate how another person may see things or how they might feel. This leads to inappropriate personal comments such as “Mummy why does that man talk funny?” in the person’s hearing or saying to a teacher, “You don’t know what you are talking about” These disorders have been called disorders of empathy.

People with Asperger Syndrome like lists, order, logic and predictability. They are rigid about wanting things done the same way – their way! They find changes of routine very difficult to cope with. Socially, they are regarded as “odd”, misfits, and making and keeping friends is difficult because of lack of insight, talking endlessly of their special subject and not being able to adapt their behaviour to the circumstances. Unlike the person with able autism, they have insight into their problems, desperately want to make friends and fit in, and therefore there is a high incidence of depression.

The purpose of making the DVD is to give the child ideas about social skills, how to make conversation, how to read another person’s response and intent etc. It may be often perceived that Asperger children have a “blue print” in their minds of how a social situation or contact will go and as it usually does not, they feel disconcerted and disappointed. Hence the idea that we play a situation in different ways.

On the positive side, these children are honest, often brutally so, not devious and try to follow rules, often to the letter. They can be very loyal and, contrary to popular belief, can be very affectionate.

Dustin Hoffman in “Rainman” was able autistic, but had many characteristics seen in people with the severe end of Asperger Syndrome.

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