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Broader Autistic Phenotype?
thousandDenier · 18/03/2023 12:45
I had my screening assessment this week. The clinical psychologist who took the video call was unsure whether to take me forward to a full assessment and wants me to provide a questionnaire from someone who knew me as a child (not going to happen for various complicated reasons)
She said that I fitted what she called the Broader Autistic Phenotype, however.
Has anyone else been told this, or even heard of it?
Is this just a newer version of 'high functioning' now that they (quite rightly) don't use that term?
I'm disappointed of course, as I've researched and am entirely sure that I am autistic.
BoardLikeAMirror · 18/03/2023 19:06
I think it is a term used to describe people who have some autistic traits but not enough of them to meet the full diagnostic criteria. Your psychologist should have explained it to you; it's not great to leave a patient with uncertainty like this.
There was no one to fill in my questionnaire - I'm middle aged and my parents can't remember what happened last week, let alone in the 1970s. I completed it based on my own recollections and left blank anything I couldn't answer. I would suggest taking this approach.
Hoping you get some answers soon 
MumofOne1789 · 19/03/2023 06:50
This is interesting. I’ve never heard this before but done a quick read up and feel like I meet this.
I don’t have a some of the typical traits e.g. sensory issues, need for strict routine, obsessive interests.
I do have:
stimming, difficulty in social situations and making friends, difficulty understanding humour. Maybe some more…
I can imagine it being hard to deal with if you still have struggles, yet apparently not enough to be diagnosed as autistic. Then what?
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