Hi CrewCut, thanks for your story. I think maybe she was actually further on the autism spectrum than Asperger's, her son even more so. Asperger's is "almost normal" or like many people would say "nerdy". Although it is also a form of autism, it is the least "pervasive" as psychology would say. I think your lady friend and her son may be more autistic. But, that's just my opinion though.

Also, what may seem hidden are other co-morbid conditions like depression for example. Having no friends for example can actually have a depressive effect. Even though it's part of our nature to not have many friends, it doesn't mean we are happy with it like that. I had depression in the past because I couldn't form relationships of any real significance.