Do I need to do anything about this AQ Score?

FavouriteMug · 2022-01-01T23:20:32+00:00

I've just taken this online assessment and got score of 37. https://psychology-tools.com/test/autism-spectrum-quotient Not sure how reliable this particular assessment tool is though or whether there is a better option. I've always suspected I have autistic traits but as a 50 year old woman would there be any point in taking this further? Has anyone else done same test and then referred themselves for additional help or assessment?

ruthydoodles24f · 01/01/2022 23:27

You can of course go to your gp with this

My son got 38 I got 34 we are not going for testing although quirky we "cope" in the neurotypical world so don't see the point in getting diagnosed.

If you think a diagnosis will help you, you should though

Good luck

hangonamo · 01/01/2022 23:34

I am in a similar position having done a few online tests that suggest autistic traits. Same age as you too. I have referred myself but there is a 20 month wait at the moment, so I am also looking into private assessment.

I was really shocked at first but actually when I think about it, a diagnosis of ASD would make sense of a lot of stuff. I cope with life ok, have a successful professional and family life, so not particularly looking for support, but at the same time I think I would like to know. I think it would help to understand myself and my life better.

Private assessment is expensive but I have found a place (actually recommended on the SEN boards) that offers a free 30 min consultation before you decide, so I'm going to do that and then figure out what to do.

Original poster

FavouriteMug · 01/01/2022 23:37

Thank you. I wasn't sure what benefit a formal diagnosis would bring I suppose.

I would definitely say people would describe me as more weird than quirky but I have managed reasonably well over the past 50 years - more so the older I get as I think confidence levels I care a bit.

I'm just unsure what the benefits of a proper diagnosis would be or whether a score of 37 is that bad?

OP posts:

Original poster

FavouriteMug · 01/01/2022 23:39

that should say confidence levels increase a bit

OP posts:

hangonamo · 01/01/2022 23:45

Full assessment does seem quite a long and involved process so I am assuming that online tests are very ballpark and a bit of a blunt instrument. I guess that it's perfectly possible for someone to score 37 and then not be diagnosed ASD.

Although it makes a lot of sense for me, I only sort of half believe it, so would like it confirmed one way or the other (probably an autistic trait right there ha). I think it would allow me to understand that there are certain things about myself that I can't help, and would help me to work around them better instead of just feeling a bit crap about the things I am not very good at iykwim.

hangonamo · 01/01/2022 23:47

(In terms of practical day to day life, I can't see that there would be much benefit to a diagnosis. It's more about understanding and accepting myself I think.)

Player456 · 02/01/2022 00:05

I've just done the test and got the same score as you. I am a year older than you.

I've wondered as my son is autistic, diagnosed in his early 20s. His life improved immeasurably since his diagnosis due to the support he has. Before he was labelled as a psychopath (GP actually said that to me), and was off the rails, dUe to MH services not understanding him. He was diagnosed with Asperger's and with support is doing smazingly; such a different person.

I've been diagnosed with Bipolar and several different PDs, due to my unease in social situations.

The psychiatrist dismissed the idea of autism and just explained my symptoms as being the result of four PDs, as I have a good imagination, though I read girls can present differently, including good imagination.

I had school phobia, which is also a symptom (never truanted, but hated leaving home, where it was 'safe').

Interested to see other's thoughts.

Original poster

FavouriteMug · 02/01/2022 09:50

Yes it was a very brief test so I also wondered how reliable it might be 🙂.

I can't help feeling sad that I have struggled all my life and been very hard on myself for my many failings - when a diagnosis of ASD would have at least have given me a deeper insight.

OP posts:

BringBackCoffeeCreams · 02/01/2022 10:01

The AQ test is the standard autism screening test and is pretty reliable. It's what clinicians use to see if full investigation is warranted.

FluffyBooBoo · 02/01/2022 10:03

Very interested in this thread op - we are the same age, I did the same test at the end of last year and got a score of 30.

hangonamo · 02/01/2022 10:06

I can't help feeling sad that I have struggled all my life and been very hard on myself for my many failings - when a diagnosis of ASD would have at least have given me a deeper insight.

This is how I feel. But I also feel a bit dubious about diagnosing myself online and guilty about claiming to be autistic when I don't actually know for sure. I also know my family will laugh and think I'm ridiculous without a formal diagnosis, so I think I would like to know for sure from a professional.

polkadotpixie · 02/01/2022 10:32

I just did it and got 39. I'm not really surprised as I do suspect I am somewhat neurodiverse, as does my sister who works in that field...it wasn't really picked up on back in the 80s/90s in the same way it is now though

I've always felt different to other people and struggle socially. I do sometimes feel like an alien wearing a human costume (metaphorically, not literally!) but I feel like I hide it quite well, people generally just describe me as a bit quirky

It would explain a lot for me but I'm not sure if it's worth pursuing at my age (37)

amusedbush · 02/01/2022 14:07

@BringBackCoffeeCreams

The AQ test is the standard autism screening test and is pretty reliable. It's what clinicians use to see if full investigation is warranted.

Yep, the psychiatrist who diagnosed me had me do an AQ test (as well as a tonne of other pre-assessment questionnaires and checklists).

I scored 47/50

JoshLymanIsHotterThanSam · 02/01/2022 14:16

I got 37. I am unsurprised! .

I have two diagnosed autistic children with a 3rd who identifies with Aspergers. I feel I am definitely ND, however I have never bothered with diagnosis as I u detest and myself well enough to be okay with myself just the way I am.

MWNA · 02/01/2022 16:15

At 53, I did Simon Baron Cohen's test.
aspietests.org/aq/
as well as many others.
I then went for a formal diagnosis.
Best thing I could have done. It's been a revelation. It's been liberating. It's been a way to forgive and understand myself.

Original poster

FavouriteMug · 02/01/2022 16:20

Can I ask how you got a formal diagnosis? Did you have to pay privately?

OP posts:

MWNA · 02/01/2022 16:30

Yes I did. I felt a formal diagnosis would really help me. I wanted the absolute certainty, the paperwork to pore over (and it's an incredibly lengthy and detailed report) and the formality of a diagnosis. And I wanted it quickly. It's was super expensive but I'm glad I forked out.

The scientific confirmation was incredibly important to me and I got that from the speech and language therapist and the psychologist who interviewed me and my family over a 4 hour period.

Eternallyfrazzled · 02/01/2022 16:45

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at OP's request.

DaveMinion · 02/01/2022 16:47

I got 36 and have aspergers. Found out when I was diagnosed with adhd. Not fussed by the aspergers though as adhd is far more severe for me and struggle with that more.

Eternallyfrazzled · 02/01/2022 16:48

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at OP's request.

anilluminatednewyearforme · 02/01/2022 16:49

The AQ test is what my GP sent to me to do when I first approached him to say I thought I was autistic.

I filled it in (with no idea on scoring) sent it back to him and he scored it, then referred me for assessment.

It is a blunt instrument but it's indicative.

I am 37, and currently waiting for my assessment. I also have an autistic child. I'm 99% sure I am autistic too. I want to find out, personally.

anilluminatednewyearforme · 02/01/2022 17:11

Oh and I did pay privately for my daughters assessment because she was only 3 and I didn't want to wait (she also later received an NHS diagnosis). It was 2k. I'm going NHS for mine and have been waiting a few months, should be done in the next 3 months, because mine is not urgent in the same way, as in I don't need a diagnosis to help receive support at school etc etc.

anilluminatednewyearforme · 02/01/2022 17:27

@hangonamo

Full assessment does seem quite a long and involved process so I am assuming that online tests are very ballpark and a bit of a blunt instrument. I guess that it's perfectly possible for someone to score 37 and then not be diagnosed ASD.

Although it makes a lot of sense for me, I only sort of half believe it, so would like it confirmed one way or the other (probably an autistic trait right there ha). I think it would allow me to understand that there are certain things about myself that I can't help, and would help me to work around them better instead of just feeling a bit crap about the things I am not very good at iykwim.

The average score for a neurotypical female is 23.1. The average score for a female diagnosed with ASD is 36.3. A female with suspected ASD, 33.7.

It's highly unlikely to score 37 and not go on to receive a diagnosis, if you choose to be fully assessed, IMO.

LateralFlo · 02/01/2022 17:42

Yes I did this and various other tests. I asked for NHS assessment, but, the assessment was very odd, focussing on intellectual impairment and very little on the social side. I asked for a 2nd NHS opinion, this time they said they had to interview my parent. Who is in their 80s, somewhat confused, and absolutely convinced I had a wonderful childhood. After that they said there wasn’t enough evidence of a ‘since childhood’, lifetime existence of the issues. So on the basis of that I left it as I didn’t think you can have a 3rd opinion on the NHS and I haven’t got the money at the moment to go private.

HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime · 02/01/2022 17:45

12 Yr old DD also did this test recently and scored 35, she had asked me why it hurts to make eye contact, and previously had a conversation with me expressing how frustrated she was everytime her friends didnt follow the script in her head which meant she didn't know what to say next in the conversation which rang alarm bells for masking so both of us tried the test.

Lots of things she's done in the past I put down as being because she was introverted, an only child or because she's high achieving but actually an ASD diagnosis would make sense, she has friends but struggles socially with people she doesn't know, can't stand being in loud environments very long. When reading out the signs of autism in girls she said she could relate to all of them.

I think I'll save up and go private £2k is alot, but NHS diagnosises are taking about 2-3yrs here and I wouldn't want to take the place of someone who needs it urgently. If we got it done it wouldn't be to support her at school she very high achieving (although does struggle if the classroom is loud) but I'd like it for herself, to support her MH so that she knows why she does things the way she does and to give her support as she moves on and goes to Uni / starts her adult life if she does in fact have ASD.