how would you explain Aspergers to a friend??

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if i was to explain what Aspergers is to someone, how would you explain it in a short answer without getting into much detail?

i keep thinking i should say its a misunderstanding of/in social interaction.

what would you say?
how would you explain it to someone who doesn't know what it is??

My acquaintances vaguely know what it is, in their minds - good with rote memory but subpar social skills/communication.

I've also told them about my stereotypic behaviour, which they find weird and a bit amusing. They are very accepting of it.

Use the spoon theory. Take out lupus, and replace with Aspergers.

http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/wpres ... on-theory/

i like the spoon theory, but it is too complicated for most of the people who have been close to me.

i keep it simple. Aspie means i 1) have trouble reading between the lines the way "people" normally do 2) i don't get jokes because i'm very literal and 3) lights and sounds and textures and so forth can be very overwhelming because i am very sensitive to all of it. can't handle, for instance, having the TV on and carrying on a conversation; can't stand loud noises, bright lights, certain foods, etc. And so these things all wear me out. Can't rely on instinct and intuition, have to actively think about everything and actively work to focus attention, so by the end of the day, i'm whipped.

No, that doesn't cover everything, but it's the most relevant stuff to what OTHERS need to understand, the stuff that most impacts my relationships with them.

Autism means one's brain is wired differently from the norm, meaning one has a unique, generally more intense than is normal in various ways, sensory experience with attendant eccentricities & difficulties in handling, interpreting, and responding to those experiences.
This often manifests most obviously as inappropriate social behavior and responses, but it has many subtler manifestations as well.
Autistics exist at all levels of functioning and intelligence and are just as varied as any other large group of people in practically every way.

How's that?

To my gamer friends, in D&D 3.5 jargon:
"Well, I was born with a Charisma score of around 4, but since then I've put a lot of points into Diplomacy, and I often use Knowledge (Psychology) synergy to buff my rolls, so I can communicate pretty well. But that doesn't mean I don't botch the roll sometimes."

"It's a neurological condition which affecting social interaction and communication. It also manifests itself through repetitive behaviour and difficulties with sensory integration."