How to handle a family member with poor social skills?

I strongly suspect my sister has Asperger Syndrome. She is fairly intelligent, and incredibly kind-hearted, but she has a lot of problems with social interaction. Conversations with her always feel very forced and uncomfortable. This is a minor example, but one of the most frustrating things is that she will often try to paraphrase what I’ve said, and get it completely wrong, so I will have to correct her over and over, or just move on.

Over a year ago, she quit her job and moved across the country because she was ready for a change. She has been out of work ever since, and I suspect her social skills are a big part of it. She has gotten many interviews, and has not yet been hired after any of them.

She said to another family member once that she thought she might have Asperger Syndrome, and she seems very, very painfully aware of her social deficits. Although she hasn’t said anything to me, I think she is probably extremely embarrassed by them.

Our family is not close, so I don’t see her often. The truth is, I strongly dislike talking to her or spending time with her because it’s so awkward and draining. It makes me feel like a monster to feel this way about my sister, especially because she is a genuinely caring and loving person. She is very eager for my attention and makes it clear how much she loves and values me.

I feel terribly about this and I don’t know what to do to stop being so bothered by her problems. Any advice would be appreciated.