How would you explain Asperger's syndrome to the public?

Thank you for your replies so far. I often feel dumbfounded when someone without much of a clue asks me this question. I want to avoid stereotypes, but at the same time I don't want to come out with vague waffle that renders the condition meaningless.

I might say something like: the main difficulty that all people with Asperger's syndrome experience is social relationships. This means that they struggle to work out what someone might be thinking and feeling based upon non-verbal body language and subtle facial expressions, and they also struggle with irony and sarcasm, often misinterpreting ambiguous language and metaphors.Consequently people with Aspergers find it hard to make friends, particularly with their peer group, and often become very isolated and lonely. Many people with Asperger's syndrome also find it difficult dealing with change and uncertainty, to a greater or lesser degree, and cope best in a stable and predictable environment. It is common for people with AS to develop intense interests in academic subjects, which can bring them lots of pleasure. However, these interests tend to be solitary, and are often a welcome escape from the social world. Finally, it is common for people with Asperger's syndrome to get overwhelmed  by their environment; background noise, such as people talking, or background movement, can distract them and prevent them from being able to process information. Consequently, people with Asperger's syndrome often struggle to concentrate and pursue tasks in noisy and chaotic environments.

Thank you for your replies so far. I often feel dumbfounded when someone without much of a clue asks me this question. I want to avoid stereotypes, but at the same time I don't want to come out with vague waffle that renders the condition meaningless.

I might say something like: the main difficulty that all people with Asperger's syndrome experience is social relationships. This means that they struggle to work out what someone might be thinking and feeling based upon non-verbal body language and subtle facial expressions, and they also struggle with irony and sarcasm, often misinterpreting ambiguous language and metaphors.Consequently people with Aspergers find it hard to make friends, particularly with their peer group, and often become very isolated and lonely. Many people with Asperger's syndrome also find it difficult dealing with change and uncertainty, to a greater or lesser degree, and cope best in a stable and predictable environment. It is common for people with AS to develop intense interests in academic subjects, which can bring them lots of pleasure. However, these interests tend to be solitary, and are often a welcome escape from the social world. Finally, it is common for people with Asperger's syndrome to get overwhelmed  by their environment; background noise, such as people talking, or background movement, can distract them and prevent them from being able to process information. Consequently, people with Asperger's syndrome often struggle to concentrate and pursue tasks in noisy and chaotic environments.