Difficulties with social interactions

Children with Asperger syndrome have a reduced ability to interact with others. They give poor eye contact and it is difficult to see if they are happy or sad. These children often show an inability or display less interest in wanting to play with others, and they often cannot handle friendships.

Children with Asperger syndrome often lack a spontaneous desire to participate in an activity with others and often withdraw from body contact, unless they themselves can take the initiative. They seem to prefer loneliness over contact with other people. They find it hard to understand if a person is joking or using irony. They often find it hard to determine whether a person is lying or is being malicious with what they say. This often leads to misunderstandings and conflicts.