Asperger’s Syndrome Reading Comprehension Lesson

What Is Asperger’s Syndrome?

Asperger’s Syndrome is a developmental disorder in which people have extreme difficulty with social interaction. It is much more than just being shy around other people. The disorder is severe enough that it causes significant problems socially, at work or school, and in other areas of life. Many cases of Asperger’s Syndrome have gone undetected over the years — in fact, it was not even recognized as a disorder by the medical community until 1994. Today, doctors and educators have a much better understanding of what it is and how to help.

There are many symptoms of Asperger’s Syndrome. A person may have difficulty using nonverbal gestures like making eye contact, showing facial expressions, or reading body posture. They may struggle to develop relationships with peers their own age. They may not seek to share enjoyment of things with other people. They might also seem socially or emotionally unresponsive — not because they don’t care, but because they have difficulty showing or recognizing emotional cues that other people pick up easily.

People with Asperger’s Syndrome may also display patterns of behavior that seem unusual. A person might develop an intense, ongoing interest in a single topic — trains, weather, dinosaurs, video games — and want to talk about that topic at length. They may rely on routines or rituals that they have to follow exactly the same way every day. Sometimes a person with Asperger’s might perform repeated movements such as hand twisting or whole-body rocking. These behaviors are not intended to bother anyone — they are part of how the person manages a world that often feels overwhelming.

How It Differs from Autism — and How to Help

Asperger’s Syndrome shares many traits with autism, but there are important differences. In autism, there are major problems with language development, social interaction, and play. In contrast, people with Asperger’s Syndrome usually have IQ levels that are average or above average, and their language skills are typically normal. They may even have unusually large vocabularies for their age. People with autism often become obsessed with specific parts of objects and show extreme resistance to change. With Asperger’s Syndrome, those tendencies are usually less severe.

There is no cure for Asperger’s Syndrome, but there are many ways to support someone who has it. Therapy can teach social skills — how to read facial expressions, how to take turns in conversation, and how to manage situations that feel overwhelming. Speech therapy can help with the rhythm and tone of speech. Some people benefit from medication that helps with anxiety or attention. With the right support at home, school, and work, many people with Asperger’s lead happy, successful lives.

Classmates and friends can also help. The most important thing is to treat someone with Asperger’s with the same respect and kindness you would show anyone else. Be patient if they need more time to respond, or if they seem to miss a social cue you find obvious. Include them in activities. Try to understand their interests rather than dismissing them. Most people with Asperger’s genuinely want to make friends — they just need a little extra support to do it. A small kindness can make a big difference.

Download the Worksheet

Full Members can download the printable PDF worksheet and answer key.

Looking for more reading comprehension worksheets? Browse all reading lessons or become a Full Member to access every printable PDF.