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Original poster

Do online Aspergers tests have any truth to them?

114 replies

SchrodingersMew · 09/10/2012 18:58

Have thought for a long time I have a problem in social situations (I get scared when talking to people in rl and do not know what to say, I don't know when to stop talking and I seem to talk without thinking along with other problems) and have been trying to get to the root of where this comes from.

I do not think I have Aspergers but have taken an online AQ test and scored 37 which seems to be fairly high.

I am sure this is not the problem as I do not think something like that would be missed all through school etc) but perhaps there is something with similar traits?

OP posts:
Original poster
SchrodingersMew · 10/10/2012 15:31

I did the test that is on the start of that thread and apprently have an "Aspie Score" of 180 out of 200. I was not expecting it to be that high! Shock

OP posts:
Original poster
SchrodingersMew · 10/10/2012 15:33

Neurotypical score was 33 out of 200... :(

OP posts:
PedanticPanda · 10/10/2012 16:06

I got round about that too for my tests when I done them, it was a while ago though so don't remember my exact scores. I got a bit of a fright but speaking to the others on the thread there was so much I could relate too.

HecateLarpo · 10/10/2012 16:43

Eye contact is horrendous. It feels physically painful.

I had my youngest son's TA TAPPING ME ON THE ARM every time I looked away. I wanted to thump him Grin

glad there's a thread. Going to throw myself at it as well. See you over there Grin 185 out of 200 on that test.

I did laugh at some of the questions. They are SO me! revenge fantasies, phone numbers unrecognisable if said in the wrong way, frustrated if someone sits in my seat (frustrated? I boot them the hell out! Grin )

HecateLarpo · 10/10/2012 16:45

oh, eye contact rule is count to four and look away. If you count to four you can look away for as long as 6 before you have to look again!

Or cheat by looking at their chin or nose.

social rule is ask two questions for every one you answer about yourself / bit of info you give about yourself.

These two things have been so helpful to me!

SummerRain · 10/10/2012 17:00

Wow.... I knew I was a bit out of sync with people around me but didn't realise til I was answering that test how bad. 162 aspie (44 nt)

Hecate... I find looking at their eyebrows helps. Somedays I'm fine, others I physically can't stand looking people in the eye.

PedanticPanda · 10/10/2012 17:01

I have the opposite with eye contact. I've tried to force myself to keep eye contact for so long that now I'm not sure if I'm staring too much and struggle with getting the balance right between eye contact and looking away.

devilinside · 10/10/2012 17:58

I just look elsewhere on people's faces and hope they don't notice!

SummerRain · 10/10/2012 18:47

I always start to panic that the must notice me staring at random bits of their faces though and lose track of the conversation.

Can totally relate to the me me me posts too... MNers must think I'm totally self centred but I can't respond unless I relate the issue to myself Blush

I never considered myself aspie though, thought it might be dyspraxia because I'm clumsy as he'll. My boys have definite aspie traits though and are under assessment.

PedanticPanda · 10/10/2012 18:53

I think I'm dyspraxic too, I'm the clumsiest person in my family out of DP, 5 yr old Ds (with AS and motor function problems!) and the puppy!

Meglet · 10/10/2012 19:06

I've always got stupidly high scores on aspergers tests. Despite having loads of problems as a kid and teenager I have NO idea how they missed it.

It only dawned on me that was what was up with me after I joined mumsnet. All the sensory stuff, eye contact, high intelligence, routines, social crapness etc were me to a T. My sister works in mental health these days and she says I am way up the spectrum.

I do need to work on it really, I've been very stressed the last couple of years and slipped back a bit.

Original poster
SchrodingersMew · 10/10/2012 19:17

I'm very clumsy too but I have EDS III and it is down to that.

Still not sure about the eye contact. I have a tendency to watch peoples mouths when they are talking but I get bored and look away without realising, I can't help it. Actually looking into eyes creeps me out a little bit, no idea why, it just unnerves me.

Hecate I like your tip for asking 2 questions about the other person, I consciously try to do this but I end up forgetting. Blush :o

Will we all just totally crash that thread then? :o

OP posts:
HecateLarpo · 10/10/2012 19:35

I said I would, but if I'm being honest, I'm not going to. I find it really hard to barge in to established threads Blush I worry that I'm not wanted and just as in rl, I can't slot myself in to an established group. I just stand there on the edge, feeling like I don't know what the hell I am doing there Grin

Original poster
SchrodingersMew · 10/10/2012 19:37

We could all sit here and plan fantasise to barge in on the thread but not?

:o

OP posts:
devilinside · 10/10/2012 19:40

SummerRain, I've never considered that, I have been on MN for years but barely had a single PM (let alone ever sent one). I only ever respond to threads that I relate to, is that not normal then? Confused.

Boardiegirl · 10/10/2012 20:32

I WOULD DEF BE UP FOR JOININ AN ONLINE GROUP PEEPS!!!!!

SummerRain · 10/10/2012 21:30

I don't know devil.... I have noticed others don't seem to have to tell a personal anecdote on every three they post on and have tried in vain to stop myself doing it. Hasn't worked yet though!

Yes, lets all just stand on the fringes feeling awkward and randomly intergecting useless unwanted bits of information Grin

CoteDAzur · 10/10/2012 22:00

I'm a 35. Pretty much exactly the same score I got on another AQ test 10 years ago.

Dad scores like me. Mum scores under 15. I suspect that this is why I'm not properly on the spectrum.

I don't mind eye contact and can chitchat when I can be bothered but have to correct every mistake I see and do everything the same (ideal) way. Over long years of practice, I now have a perfect method for everything and find it very disturbing for things to be done differently (ex: stacking the dishwasher).

I'm pretty good at social situations now but that is mostly because learned through imitation. For example, it took me a long time to realise that people get very annoyed if you tell them that their religious faith isn't rational but also a bit stupid, and find the words to say such things in slightly milder ways.

devilinside · 10/10/2012 22:15

But why would you bother posting if you didn't have a personal anecdote to add? even more Confused.

PedanticPanda · 10/10/2012 22:21

Eds, is that related to hyper mobility syndrome as I have that?

PedanticPanda · 10/10/2012 22:24

I have been on MN for years but barely had a single PM (let alone ever sent one). I only ever respond to threads that I relate to

This is me! I hadn't even realised people pm's each other until I read it mentioned on a thread.

Original poster
SchrodingersMew · 10/10/2012 22:44

Yeah it is, I have EDS III which is the hypermobility type. :)

Devlin But most people don't post on every thread with a complete story of their past! :o

Summer I have tried to stop myself doing it too but if I did I couldn't post!

OP posts:
CoteDAzur · 10/10/2012 22:49

I wonder if I should use my powers of invisibility for good or evil? Smile

Original poster
SchrodingersMew · 10/10/2012 22:51

Shite, I am sorry Cote Getting tired and forgot to comment back.

I agree about telling people about their religion, very easy to put your foot in it there!

I wasn't meaning to be rude. :(

OP posts:
SummerRain · 10/10/2012 22:59

Cote, I drive dp mad with my need for things to be done a particular way. If I have a system for doing something it makes me so twitchy if it's not done my way, even if the end result is the same!

Thankfully he's an oddball too so we mostly ignore each others twitches and muddle along but I don't think many others would tolerate living with me.