Aspergers test

[sunshineyrain]

Hello name changed for this... I did an aq test for aspergers online, partly after watching that programme last week about autism and also because I kind of feel that I think differently to other people and certain things really really really annoy me (e.g. People making any unnecessary noise, things being put in wrong place or upside down, loads of things...) Anyway I scored 34 and I wasn't really sure about this because for a couple of my answers I was waivering between two different answers, so basically I did it again to see what my result would be. This time I got 36. It says if you get between something and 28 you are borderline ASD.

My boyfriend did it and got 20 and I thought he was quite set in his ways.
Anyway tonight we both did an online IQ test and I scored 133 which is quite high.
Can I please ask what you think about these results (both different tests.) Please be nice and if you think it's a stupid post or whatever please don't reply. Thanks.

I have done the online one too and so have a few in my family. Some of us scored similar to you but I don’t think would go for a dx as they mange ok in their everyday life.

Do you feel the result is accurate? Are you struggling with things at alll or just interested because you feel you have a different skill set/approach to the average?

That's interesting you've also got similar, I was just curious really, I'm in my forties and manage life ok but I do think I perceive things differently. An example today, my bf and I were talking about a something to do with money and he kept saying "let's just says it's £amount" and it really stressed me out he didn't get that the amount he said wasn't close to the proper amount it should have been - if that makes sense!

Sometimes nice to find out info that helps us make sense of ourselves!

I'm so convinced this is me. I'm desperate for a diagnosis because it would make sense of who I am. Am struggling to articulate how I feel! How to go about a diagnosis though?

It kind of makes you feel better knowing why we are like we are. I don't think I would bother with a diagnosis because it wouldn't change anything.

on that programme it said it takes two years anyway.
I wonder if people that are neurotypical are the odd ones out!!!

@BeMoreKind

Take the results of your AQ and if you do one an EQ to your GP with a list of reasons you believe you may be on the spectrum and ask for referral. Services are overwhelmed so expect it to take a good two years.

You could also go private. If you need a dx so that work can put reasonable adjustments in for you then ask what type of dx they will accept before you pay for one.

This is the Gold Standard assessment and is accepted as such.
www.autism.org.uk/services/diagnosis.aspx

As Once said above, this makes a huge difference to what type of diagnosis you'd be interested in. Are you struggling with things at alll or just interested because you feel you have a different skill set/approach to the average?

Similar results to me, I'm just in the process of getting a diagnosis (should be 3-4 more weeks, then I'll finally know for sure).

Go to the GP. It took me years to do it but I'm so glad I did.
The process can take a long time, so be prepared for that. I think the average waiting time is around a year, but that varies. In my case its more like 6 months, but it can take up to two years

You can score highly on tests and still not be autistic, or vice-versa. That's because it's all based on your own interpretation of the questions and answers, and because there are co-morbid conditions which can create similar "results".

So I'd be cautious on just accepting that you're autistic because of them IYSWIM. A full assessment could tell you more but sometimes they're not conclusive either, and they tend to only offer them on the NHS if this stuff is affecting your life significantly.

I'd say it's absolutely worth seeking diagnosis myself, but I know we're all different. It's helped me to be more assertive about some things, and more understanding about others. I had to go into hospital last week for example, and was able to explain that I wasn't nervous and didn't mind straightforward answers, I was just completely overwhelmed by the noise and lights as I'm autistic. That sort of thing has been invaluable to me.

IQ tests aren't always insightful either, as the online ones can be dodgy, and all of them simply measure how well you do on those sorts of tests - I went through a phase of testing these a few years ago, and theoretically I'm a total genius, but I can tell you I'm absolutely not!

I think you have to ask why you might want a diagnosis. Is it out of curiosity or to make life easier?

I have some experience of this in my professional life (I'm not a psychologist but have worked with children and adults with ASD.)

Your GP can refer you to a psych who will assess you but you need one who does ASD assessments. The BPS ( British Psychological Society has a website with an online search facility.)

Online IQ tests aren't always accurate. The real ones are often harder. (I've had mine tested under various circs.)

question is what will a diagnosis do for you?