I don't know how I am with regard to being comforted. The only time I can recall being comforted was at my father's funeral, but for the most part I felt numb the whole time. Otherwise, the few times I've been visibly upset (as far as I can tell) around others there was no effort on their part to comfort me (as far as I can tell). They just ignored me, which hurt, and made me even more upset. The last time this happened the apparent apathy was what led me down the path to a meltdown. I don't know if any attempt to comfort me would've helped or made things worse, but I think what Maggiedoll said about someone saying "I'll give you some space unless you say otherwise" would show they care without being smothering.
I have one friend, and she's never really been in a position to provide comfort. I usually talk to her or write her about what's been bothering me after the fact, when I don't really need comforting anymore, at which point she is very supportive and reassuring. Unfortunately, I've been there when she's been upset and I didn't know what to do, so I did nothing. I didn't know about AS at the time, so it just left me feeling utterly useless (not that my AS diagnosis changed how worthless I felt about that situation). I think she understood, even then, that I have difficulty with this.