Every time I do a questionnaire related to any mental health disorder I always struggle a lot because a part of me wants to get a high score so that I have my proof to myself but the majority of me is trying to answer accurately so I can never tell whether I’m exaggerating or being accurate
Samee... I just posted a comment in a more recent video about this concern.. that I'm masking so much that it gets harder to answer a question and understand if that's truly me or because if that's who I'm supposed to be and I want to proof to myself but my problem also included that it gets hard for me to answer accurately a lot of the times...
I scored 40. I'm 73, and I'm sure I would have scored higher when I was younger. I'm self-diagnosed, and working with a counselor. I hope to eventually get a professional diagnosis. Edit: My ASD diagnosis is now official.
Hi cindy. My name is also cindy. I am 48. I scored 44. Ppl always tell me i am not on the spectrum bc i am a woman and bc i can have conversations and i can (kind of) manage small talk. I don’t think i need a diagnosis bc i am not sick. What i do need is a manual for understanding how other ppl think and feel.
@@Peacefrogg Hi Cindy. I need one of those manuals too. I understand not everyone wants or needs a diagnosis. I was getting grief counseling because my husband died of cancer last year, and my counselor was the first person I ever told that I thought I might be Autistic. After several more sessions she said she would recommend me for testing. She knew a psychologist who had experience in testing for Autism in adults. If it wasn't for her I probably would never have actually gone for the testing.
Me too...try waiting and taking it again...I’ve done this a couple times and I’m consistently between 29-32....might give you a better sense of where you fall...at least on this test...
I just took the test. I think I've done it before, but, after finding this channel, I decided to do it again. I got a 42...which after reading these results, sounds high. Yikes!
For anyone who sees this comment and this "The questions are open to interpretation" - I was the same. I think you've got to remember strong analysis skills are something that is fairly common in Aspergers. If you're saying "it depends" on a large number of these questions, maybe you're over-analyzing in the same way someone with Aspergers would?
Definitively. I instantaneously spotted biases in the articulation and the wordings of some questions. My Answer: what does that mean? ("Pattern in things" too inaccurate, not concret enough). Another answer is: here I have to compare to others. What is normal? (daily routines. Every single person on earth relies on routines for daily functioning and is irritated by changes bc of energy and time costs) Other Questions act out some traits against other traits so that the mixed result is ambiguous and here i know that i am aspie, of a particular kind. Two examples: 1) perceiving body language and face language or other intuitive sign prosody, breathing.. energy... Here they must distinguish between perceiving someone and responding over the right channel. For ex. I am extremely sensitive to people in terms of waves, moods, states. Some are astonished by this capacity. BUT i am equally extremely impaired to respond, to tune in. No appropriate expression tool. This is the "high sensitive Aspie" and i am very afraid of people. 2) coexisting high impulsivity biases the need of structure, planning predictability coming from high anxiety. Sometimes I rush in sth. Many Times i plan accurately to settle my anxiety and lack of confidence. (But is it of traumatic nature?) Further more i have a high imagination. Have Aspies then no imagination? This explains how Aspies can get low scores (me 18-21). Do you relate to those first impressions?
@@edwigcarol4888 I think comorbidities and life experience could contribute to what you are saying. I agree with you and interpreted the questions similarly. I had to agree strongly with imagination questions and others relating to impulsivity overriding my need for structure and predictability. I am diagnosed with Combined Type ADHD, and as a 37 year old woman, scored a 27 and a 31 on this test, and I think that is due to my impulsivity related to ADHD and due to the life experiences like being raised by a man (who is likely autistic and his area of fixation was movies/TV shows) that showed me every movie ever made during my childhood, including silent films, read me comics since I was a baby, and provided what I now think of as a human interaction manual by all of this (bolstered by my voracious reading). My late brother was also clearly on the spectrum now that I think back, and he was responsible for me seeing endless foreign films and exposing me to even more "human ways of being" outside of my culture that my over-achiever self seemed to devour and "collect."
I took the test and noticed the same thing. This isn't a problem with you; this is a problem with the field of psychology. They go around just writing sloppily and p-hacking and cherry picking data and whatever else they need to do to publish papers, and they don't stop for a second to think about if what they're doing is well-defined or correct.
Tell an over-thinker to not over think a test is like telling someone who doesn’t like the dentist not to think about their tongue during an appointment.... = Fail 🤣
Yeah kind of like self-taught brain surgery or DIY Tooth extraction who snookered this guy that he has an DSM-5 reportable Asparagus Dreams????????????????? 🐱🏍🐱💻🐱🚀🐱🚀🤢🎁🤦♀️🤦♂️🤷♀️ *The dude has been played for* a _Sapp_ → Lo & Behold those whom are awake!!!!!!
@@erllrma increasing number of adults aged ≥65 years are confounding direct clear cv-19 stats so since I am in that age-bracket I have chosen this *vicsim* for battle → Hired agent for Pharma! pneumonia & influenza (P&I) due to covid-19 do not exceed Cardiovascular + Cancer so as such I am contending that battling for knowledges is neither Aphasia nor ASD as we are led to believe by this *Vicsim* as I know having attended meetings where they tried to take over our Op Pharma / MH always works this way they hire an agency to do PR → Onset of seizure is the portal opening
Today my mother tried to tell me that I’m not autistic, that I just have very bad anxiety and depression and that even though she had me tested and they said it’s a “developmental disorder”. I needed a little bit of reassurance and confirmation, and getting a 39 boosted my confidence a little. I’m just trying to live a balanced life, invalidating my experiences isn’t going to help. Thanks for this, Paul.
I remember when I told my mother that I believed to be on the spectrum, it was similar. Somehow parents don't enjoy the thought of it, because it's so "chronic" in a way. "Behind in development"? You can catch up. "Depression, anxiety"? Have some pills. ASD is a lot more complex and a lot more about how YOU learn to deal with it.
@@bonanahh I'm a female and turning 20 this month. I scored 35. I really wish getting diagnosed would be much cheaper, it's way too expensive. I might need to wait a decade or two to have enough money to get a official diagnosis. I'm not sure how people have enough money to get multiple diagnosis. I have self diagnosed social anxiety. My mom once again does not believe at all that I might have autism even though I shared the statistics of the 32+ and the 38+ scores Also since I'm female it might be a 1 - 3 point difference, if it's 3 points, then I could have been 38
Just took the test today and scored 44. I'm almost 60 years old and although I was shocked I'm also very relieved to be able to put a name to my lifelong difficulties. Thank you for sharing this.
That is precisely the same thought I had - I was much more socially awkward when i was younger (I'm 50 now). Scored 32 as well, which feels like the most unsatisfying figure because it's right at the bottom end of the 'you are likely to be on the spectrum' range and either tells me that I'm at the upper end of the control group or the lower end of the autistic group, which is exactly how I've always felt! Even 31 or 33 would have felt more conclusive to me. Perhaps the fact that such a small change in the result would affect my thinking so much is a pointer in one direction?
I agree on that. I got 33. I can only ansver for now.... there should be a test for when i was a child,A test for when i was a tenager, A test for adult,a test for older.. to see the whole .
I’ve noticed that often those on the spectrum tend to fare decently later in life, or at least I do. My childhood consisted of understanding I wasn’t normal (didn’t fit in) and having to work really hard at “being normal” (at least on the outside lol). Now in my 40s, although I don’t always fit-in, I can sort of hit autopilot to make it through the day or a situation.
I got a 38 too. I do have anxiety though but I was also Dx'd with OCD. One of my adult children got Dx'd with Aspberger's (as it was still called) when she was a young adult. Started to make me think whether I could also be on the spectrum.
I got 33. Last time, I got a higher score (38), so it depends on what mood I am in? I am getting tested, though, and will be surprised if they determine that I am not.
about 70% of individuals with autism spectrum disorder may have one comorbid mental disorder, and 40% may have two or more comorbid mental disorders) Simonoff et al. 2008. When criteria for both ADHD and autism spectrum disorder are met, both diagnoses should be given.
@@coreycox2345 I scored a 34, and yes, there is a term that explains the deviation from one score to another, the word is so useful I told myself I would remember it, but I forgot. Funny, I think about it often, "what's that word used to explain why my answers are different? shit, I forgot." I came across it a few years ago and hadn't come across it since. I beat myself up for it all the time, lol
-- it's actually surprisingly common for lassies to end up being diagnosed with bipolar when they've got autism. maybe you could get a test for it, if pawssible?
I've taken the test multiple times in the last few years (I didnt start to think about ASD as possibility until I was nearly 30), and have scored a 37, a 32, a 27, a 42, and a 34. I talked to an autism specialist once last year and that went weird. They dragged me between different rooms just to tell me they couldn't do anything to help diagnose or help me function better, because they worked with people with a less than 70 IQ. I was diagnosed ADHD in high school and bipolar with a tinge of schizoid in college. Then I was just bipolar type 2 when I voluntarily checked myself into a hospital during a bad bout with depression and alcohol. It wasnt until I met my now wife and my dad told me that watching that awful Young Sheldon show reminded him of me as a kid that I started to think the docs had got me all wrong. -Pocket
I am an adult cis woman, and I scored a 42 on the AQ test. I decided to continue down the rabbit hole toward official diagnosis and have an appointment later this week. Thank you for this content - it's making me feel better about my decision to be officially assessed.
@@HappyHoney41 if your suffering from anxiety and other symptoms go to a therapist about those things and then bring up autism. That way you can find out if you are or aren’t and get help if your not. 2 birds one stone
@@King-balloon I'm in the US. Unfortunately I have to pay thousands of dollars in deductibles and autism testing isn't included. (It's specifically excluded.)
Some questions are really poorly worded. I remember from a research class I took that you shouldn't formulate with negatives in an agree-disagree question, because it's confusing, since it can create double negatives. There are also some questions that can be differently answered based on the situation. I still got 41 though, so even with some changes it appears that I have many Autism traits
38 here. Actually rather surprising, though I had little difficulty deciding what the answers were for me. A few times I went for "slightly agree" rather than the stronger version just because I thought I'd feel like I was exaggerating if I did. I don't know if that's a common feeling or not.
I am a 15 year old girl and I scored 41. For a few years now I have been thinking that I am autistic. I often find social interaction very difficult and I don't like the things other people of my age like, such as boys and makeup. I prefer to read a good book. I also often say what I think, when someone says to me "What do you think of my shoes" and I don't like them, I say "I don't like them". Until a few years ago I didn't realize at all that I was much more honest about somethings than others, until a classmate once said that to me. I have already talked to my mother once, but she does not want me to be tested, because she thinks that it may cause problems later, for example finding a job. I would like to be tested, that would provide certainty and relief or something. (I find it uncomfortable to talk about this with someone but especially my mother)
A year or two ago my dad said to me "It would be nice if you shoveled the snow off the driveway" and I replied "Yeah, it would be", not realizing that he wanted me to shovel the driveway. I feel ya :P Also, I'm a cuber too, I suggest going to competitions once the pandemic is over, if you haven't already competed. I've found it way easier to connect with people that I share a hobby with.
I’m also 15 and I also have the feeling for a long time now that I have autism (I also scored 40).... my mother has no problem with me getting diagnosed somewhere in the future, because my brother also got diagnosed last year, but I fear that maybe the teachers and other students in my class would feel pity for me if I get diagnosed, and I don’t want people to treat me differently than now (mostly because I also have social anxiety and don’t want to get attention 😅)
My advice would be to get tested with a professional - your primary physician and/or a licensed psychologist are places to start. Get parental permission. It may help to continue your online research & perhaps share what would back up your concerns with your mother (if not already). Tests (written, as well as both one-on-one & parent-attended interviews with dr) will be at least helpful in ruling out alternatives. If you are diagnosed, it should be confidential & friends, classmates, potential employers, etc don't have to know. However, you & your family will have valuable info to guide you in decisions regarding further educational & career goals, if not also relationship goals. There are resources to assist with those types of things. Best wishes to you! *Not an MD but enough college & work experience in psych & ed to have good insight & wisdom. Plus personal medical history - makes me wish I knew much more 20+ years ago. There's always hope for success though! ❤️
@@tabeaansorge2350Yeah, I now what you mean. I definitely don’t want that pity too. But I guess you don’t have to tell everyone.. I want a diagnosis because I think it will solve some problems in my head. Not necessary to tell other people, in school ect. Maybe over some time I would tell them. But it is different for everyone whether you want to tell them or not.
I took this test twice with a separation of 2 months (35 and 32 points accordingly) i'm still feeling skeptical about having austim, even though my mom has mentioned some pretty "autistic" patterns of behaviour I had as a child, like avoiding socialization, playing by myself all the time and being extremely distant and day dreaming, etc... It feels like i'm seeking validation for issues and faults i've always had, rather than justifying on a logical sense why they happen still. Maybe the issue lies on my motivation, but it seems really scary to actually go forward and see a specialist. I guess you could say i'm scared that they say I dont have autism when I've dedicated so much of my time researching about it and then I would have to justify my struggles with trauma, which just doesn't feel enough for me.
I am on the same actual situation as you, got a 32 on the test, my mom said I could be autistic, and I also dont know if I am searching about it just to "justify" my behavior, or if it is because I really believe I could have autism. It can be both, but everytime I think of it, everything just seems to fit, just not to an extreme level... I am sure going to consult some specialist soon I am 19
Also 32. My social skills are passable. The sensory stuff is more of a problem. I didn't like the test though. It harped on the same things--imagination, for one thing.
I started exploring about the possibility of having autism last week, and took the test as well, my score 32. It just doesn't feel right, and then i read you and... wow. You explained my feelings better than what i would ever could have. I feel like a mess right know but are too scared to confirm anything, maybe in some distant future i will try.
I got 38, I'm 76 yo next month (female) and have suspected for a while that I'm on the spectrum. Wish I'd known sooner because this knowledge explains so many things in my life, from childhood on.
It’s such a big struggle for women. I’m 18 and suspect I may be on the spectrum, looking to be professionally diagnosed soon. I wish you a good journey in life ❤️
I'm a female and turning 20 this month. I scored 35. I really wish getting diagnosed would be much cheaper, it's way too expensive. I might need to wait a decade or two to have enough money to get a official diagnosis. I'm not sure how people have enough money to get multiple diagnosis. I have self diagnosed social anxiety. My mom once again does not believe at all that I might have autism even though I shared the statistics of the 32+ and the 38+ scores Also since I'm female it might be a 1 - 3 point difference, if it's 3 points, then I could have been 38
I just got a 34. Before that, I had taken an IQ test a long time ago and was happy with the “gifted” label, which had given me some sense of validation. But this. This hits hard. I've just watched your video “Are you undiagnosed autistic?” and it hits home really hard. I've always felt so alone. I'm crying. I've always felt like I had a gaping hole in my heart because I felt so alone. Fortunately, my situation has improved a lot over the last 4 years, since I left home, but still. I have good relationships with my classmates, but friends? I never know if someone is a friend, if I can consider someone a friend. So for the longest time in my childhood, I considered myself friendless, since no one had explicitly told me that I was their friend. All this often comes back to me when I'm on vacation and I have nothing to do. I don't dare or think of contacting people without any justification. So outside of school, where I don't have to justify myself: I'm talking to you because I've just bumped into you. Sending messages and maintaining friendship is an obstacle. How do you maintain a friendship??? Please help me, I don't understand. I'm always wondering if I'm weird or not, or I always need to confirm that people don't hate me because I've done something wrong. As I said, everything has become a lot better since I left home and started to have my new friend group, but still, deep down there is a huge wound unhealed. I feel so alone, even tough there are people in my life. Friendship is a problem for me
I think it's also the result of how the world and humankind is shaped. Everybody must be the same, react the same and act the same. If you're not, you are 'weird'...
@@buddymoore6504 Me too. Did the test and I got 26. I'm also an introvert but sometimes things are confusing and I don't know what I am or how I fit in.
Most of what I'm hearing makes autism sound way more like social anxiety than whatever it is I thought it was. Whereas I have many of the traits listed in the second video I was raised to believe it was okay to not fit in, feel extremely different. As a child I sort of took Tom Baker's Doctor Who as a role model because it made me feel comfortable to do so. I take a kind of pride in being different. A lot of my early childhood I was mocked and bullied... I didn't change who I was or how I behaved but when I was a teen I became popular for the very behaviors I was mocked for. I have always been called weird... I looked up the word's origin and it means 'fated'. All of the strange connotations came from Macbeth's Wyrd sisters. People often don't believe me but it doesn't bother me, I like to be prepared and tend to over prepare... pretty much all the things in the 25 questions except the anxiety and worry part. When I was in school a teacher wanted to have me take the GED in 7th grade. My mother said she worried that I would miss out on peer interaction and my teacher told her I had no peers. I just scored 25 on the test which said low to no qualities. I had one teacher who swore I was autistic and a psychiatrist say I definitely was not. At this point I'm wondering if I'm just autistic without an anxiety factor attached but at the same time I don't think it matters to me if I am.
Scored a 38. I have been diagnosed with ASD (Aspergers) for 9 years now. Had a lot of help back then and must say that i would have answered these questions different back then. I do have a drive to learn social aspects since i was diagnosed. I am a teacher(math) now for 7 years and have a wife now (met her 7 years ago). The test should not be the end for you. I took my diagnosis as a perfect oppertunity to focus on what was holding me back. Once i figured out what i wanted and what i needed everything went up from there. Use this information to better yourself. Not to belittle yourself or find excuses. I thought my life was over first thing after i was diagnosed. I haven't been more wrong in my life.
I think this test works best in tandem with several others that measure different aspects of autism. It’s very similar to something a counselor had me do recently for my formal screening. One of my issues is that I tend to be more social and cooperative than is normal with autism, because I have gotten so isolated that I’m willing to do stressful cooperative activities to spend time with loved ones or just to get a little socialization.
Chat-Mort it is exhausting, is it not? It took 40 years, but I did get to a safe place where I can describe what is happening inside. I feel like if people really knew how much I struggle, they might lock me up.
I scored 39. 68 year old female who probably masked a lot but definitely non conforming at school. You have no idea how relieved I feel to finally understand myself, especially the rage reactions, overthinking, depression, social avoidance and shame. Your video on gender nonconformity was so valuable.
41/50. I was a research psychologist for years, but I have always struggled to connect with, and understand others and their motives. For the past year, I have been looking at myself and how I interact with the world and came to the conclusion I fall somewhere within the Autism spectrum- specifically Asbergers. I don’t know if I am going to see someone about this or even share this info about me- I’m 57 and I live in a self-isolating world, but it’s relieving to have an explanation for my isolation and my struggles. Thank you for this video.
Singing my song man-- same score, same profession, same age, and approximately the same lifestyle and conclusion. However there is solace in knowing you're not the only one...
Not the same job, grandmother but 55yrs old.. I struggled all my life with.. life....and only yesterday found out by accident viewing a video on autism that I am definitely on the spectrum, namely Aspergers. I dont know if I should waste my doctors time getting a diagnosis as I’m so old but I WOULD like to know just to confirm what I now know to be true.
I'm also living in self isolation and really strugling just to get food ...I'm 43 and was diagnost with depression 25 years ago. The psychologist got it all wrong but what else can they do? I mean is there a pill for this? I took so many different medications and nothing really works .
@@mickboisjoli2808 there are "treatments" for autism in that in some cases, certain treatments for children can cause them to reverse their diagnosis. I think in France they showed a video about someone called Luc Montaigner who gave a child antibiotics because he was convinced that the autism symptoms were the result of Lyme Disease (which is what I have) and the child's behaviour completely changed. Other doctors have treated other underlying stuff such as mycoplasma, implemented dietary changes (as food intolerances are common in the ASD community) and a few other things that have had dramatic effects on things like reducing sensory overload and it's affected their temperament as well. there was a documentary on channel 4 (in the UK) and it showed a treatment in America to do with altering something in the brain, sorry I can't remember what it was called, but it's extremely controversial cos it can change people's whole identities and outlook on life. They spoke to one adult male who did the treatment and it changed his emotional perspective (ie developing empathy, suddenly realising the perspectives of others etc) so dramatically that he was crippled by extreme guilt and almost became suicidal as it was too much too soon and very overwhelming. How come you struggle to get food? That sounds really scary.
I discovered this channel just today. I’m 35 and been diagnosed with depression and anxiety from my early teens. No amount of work with the doctor or therapists has truly helped. I’ve always felt different and that I wasn’t quite “normal” like everyone else. I’ve mentioned to people, including a therapist, that I think I might be autistic and usually the response is “well I think we’re all a little bit autistic” and it’s always put a stop to my beliefs. I’m exhausted today but after finding this channel, I took the online test and scored 42 out of 50. I’m quite emotional, probably due to the exhaustion, but feel like I found a new path today. So, thank you for making this video and thank you for giving me hope for a (slightly) better outlook for my future.
I'm 36 and could've with almost everything you said. Trying to figure out what's up with me with an open mind led me here. I scored 41. Don't know what to say really
I got a 39. I’m undiagnosed and unsure whether or not I have ASD. I’m afraid that if I go to a doctor they will tell me I don’t have it and I’ll feel dumb for thinking I did. I just know I’m neurodivergent in some way. It’s just that sometimes when I hear other ASD stories I doubt myself because it’s so much more prominent in other people’s lives. I know it’s a spectrum of course but I just don’t feel like I have a strong enough case for a diagnosis. I want a diagnosis but I’m afraid to go in case I can’t get one. I’m rambling. Does that make any sense?
I got a 38. And you basically just described my situation exactly. I'm afraid of what it could potentially mean if a doctor says that I'm not on the spectrum or anything.
YES IT MAKES SENSE AND I FEEL YOU SO MUCH!!!! i have the exact same problem/doubt.... i sometimes even brush off the fact that i could be autistic even if a friend of mine who is autistic for sure, assures me that i am too....on the test i also scored over 30 but still i am not convinced because when i hear other autistic stories, they just do not apply exactly to mine. Yet i feel so different and exhausted from the world, i struggle so much in social interactions and its actually getting worse and worse as i age but still... not sure if autistic or just a weirdo who doesnt know how to be a human being....
@@verycreativenameforsure I'm the same way. It has gotten progressively worse each year. And I too struggle tremendously in social scenarios. Work is now being affected. But I hope you're able to find some answers. That light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak. The one takeaway from this is that we definitely aren't alone.
Try to make notes somewhere related to what you do or did not noticed about yourself, what you recalled from the past etc ... For example when i heard about stimming my first thought was "i dont stimm"... then i started to recalled all the pen spinning, hair chewing, going over my skin with a finger in circles etc etc etc ... Not to mention if you would meet me before i got a job ... I had huge problems to speak with people i did not know. Call someone on the phone. Or when i forgot my sweater in other class during elementary school it took me over half a year to go pick it up ... Doing much better now but its because i work in big company where I am in contact with people so i observe what is proper behavior in what situation and practice it by immitating them. 15+ years of it. I scored 29 .
Clint LeClerc I finally put together enough historical data points from my own observations and from my mother’s observations, to get my therapist to take a serious look. It was validating in a major way. Wish I could find a group out here.
Christopher Miller Unfortunately I think receiving an official diagnosis would do me more harm than it would good...but I wish you the best of luck, you should try the website wrongplanet.net , its a forum for aspies to meet and chat.
I scored 39 - I knew I was ND and considered myself 2e & ADHD. I am very particular about a lot of things, I'm easily overwhelmed by noise, lights, & colors (or just visual clutter), and I considered myself HSP. I took mostly gifted/advanced classes in school, but consistently got burnt out & was first diagnosed with depression in middle school, and I've gone through cycles of what seems like anxiety and/or depression ever since. I'll be 34 this year and struggle with the shame of not being able to do (focus on & complete) mundane tasks, despite my ability to learn new things quickly. This explains SO much!
43/50 and I'm female. I want to start a conversation with my doctor but I once brought it up in the past with a psychiatrist and I instead got diagnosed with borderline personality disorder -- but BPD doesn't fit right with me. I find health care providers are very dismissive of my concerns because I'm high-functioning, but they don't even bother to ask in what ways this impacts my daily life.
Unfortunately, autism in women isn't taken nearly as seriously as it should be. Keep pushing for a real diagnosis or get a new psychiatrist who will take you seriously.
@@boi.9936 And careful with that as well, as a female you're also more likely to be accused by the medical profession of "doctor shopping" to get your preferred outcome, yes that type of gaslighting exists too. I've had it happen to me more than once for other diagnoses and I turned out to be correct each time, on one occasion I even needed surgery for a very physical problem that there was no denying, yet several doctors tried to give me Prozac instead of even bothering to begin investigating other avenues. I've never attempted to be diagnosed as autistic/aspergers and not likely to even try because of this, even though I think I am on the spectrum. I got 36 in the test.
I recommend the podcast *Bodies* for infuriating and often relatable stories about women being dismissed by the healthcare system. The second episode of season 1 is especially relevant.
I remember getting a 31 on this years ago. Technically not definitive but I got a lot in common with Aspie types. It's just hard for me to claim it when I see it affect other people more profoundly. But it is helpful to help explain my personality to people who may be confused or unfamiliar.
It's harder to feel alone while surrounded by those we care about then to be in solitude. It's lonely to feel as if no one speaks the same language as you. It's exhausting to see the cycle come and go. It's exhausting to try everyday just to fail. And for what? Never feels like it's enough, always feels like you don't belong
My therapist recommended this & I was shocked to score 42. Of course, I then took it again- making myself go faster as to be sure I wasn't "tricking" myself. I also had my best friend and boyfriend take it bc then I was sure the test must give bogus high scores. They were both below 25. ADHD & anxiety have been my long-standing diagnosis so far (I'm 30), but my therapist said ASD continues to explain several points that don't make sense otherwise. Best to all!
The best statement about the AQ-Test was; "The AQ-TEST indicates that you are on the autism spectrum and not that you aren't." Thanks for making this important distinction. My test will be in a few months. Now I can approach it with confidence.
This video really broke things down in a way I could grasp it. The visual aids were so helpful. I scored a 44 and this was very informative and helps me understand what is behind that number. Thank you for the excellent content.
"a score from 20-30 won't tell you much" I got a 25. I know nothing. I think part of what adds to my confusion on whether or not I'm on the spectrum is my relationship to social situations. I like people, I want to have friends, I like hanging out in social situations/parties (assuming I'm with people I know) but people exhaust me, and I don't really feel like I understand social situations, and never seem to pick up on social cues. (I once was checked out and hit on by someone, and I didn't realize until after the fact when someone else pointed it out to me) I don't know if I'm on the spectrum or just completely oblivious.
I'm the same way. I took the test because whenever I read/watch something with an autistic character, I identify with them. But my score was in the 26-32 range, so I'm still not sure what to make of that. I'm not antisocial, but parties and other social situations tire me out very fast. That could just mean I'm an introvert. I used to have a problem making eye contact when I spoke and still can't always tell if someone is being serious or joking, but that's all "borderline" stuff. There's nothing about me that I can point to as definitively telling me whether I'm on the spectrum or not.
I got a 28 and I'm the same way. I can, for the most part, hang out in groups and get along but it's very easy for me to miss cues, especially if someone is interested in me.
I got a 27 and have a small circle of friends and like it that way...prefer animals. I don't pick up on social cues either, don't know how to flirt or when I am being flirted with
Scored a 26, although I wonder how much my ADHD is involved. I've been reading that Autism and ADHD have some similar traits. Just want to know why I feel so broken. Your channel is amazing, and even if I'm not on the spectrum....much respect to you and all those just trying to be.
Update on appointment. It was two hours of being asked a lot of questions. Some info I felt needed to be volunteered. I do not have a diagnosis yet. Not sure if I’ll get one. First thing she said was, “well you seem to be communicating well” 🙄 Forget about isolating myself so I don’t have to communicate with the rest of society. We will see. I’ll update with results.
@@hollietamale5156 I've got my first discussion with a GP in January. I'm petrified of being dismissed out of hand but I'm going equipped with as detailed notes as possible about why I think I'm on the spectrum and my test score (40) so hopefully I won't get fobbed off and will gain the referral I'm looking for.. being the NHS I'm expecting it to take a lot of time though.
bloodyskied This lady had no clue about Autism. She had a medical book open in front of her, reading off criteria. I showed her my RAADS-R score and my AQ score. Now I wait for her to figure it out 🙄.
bloodyskied as far as i knew before going in, she was qualified. I was told she evaluates kids but willing to see me. She said she was going to consult with someone and give a a call. 🤷🏼♀️
28/50. This result, combined with all the other videos I watched and looking at my life experiences...my analytic mind tells me they´re all just coincidences!
My therapist is convinced I have adhd and not autism, but this will be a good thing to show them. I just hope they are aware of this test and won’t dismiss it as illegitimate just because it’s online...
I am a transgender man (FtM). Nowadays I am expected to have AD(H)D and (self proclaimed) Autism. I scored 38 on the test. In the past I have been diagnosed with BDP, Depression, Anxiety, Eating Disorder (non defined). Due to being raised with different social standards I was able to go undetected. Often times gas lit 'you can't be autistic because you can speak'. People not knowing how much effort I have put into trying to understand/do the right thing at the right time/have the right facial expression. I am very anxious about getting a official Aspie diagnosis, due to the long process and being misjudged in the past. It's made me anxious to go through processes like these. Your videos and people who comment on the videos have been incredibly eye opening and lovely (albeit a rollercoaster of emotions). Thank you for posting these videos.
I'm curious how many questions cross over into my ADHD diagnosis. A few of them made me think of my ADHD... I do have a Sensory Processing Disorder.. I scored a 35. So.. this is interesting
I was looking for this comment! I got similar, 34, and have an ADHD diagnosis and social anxiety. Put those two together and I would think I'd get a lot of the same answers as an autistic person
It's very common for ADHD and autism to be comorbid. In fact, if you have one of the two, it's more likely that you also have the other than that you only have one.
Same, ADHD and I scored 36. Though non-verbal shutdowns and quite a few other traits I have aren’t explained by ADHD. It took me a while to stop coming up with reasons why I can’t be autistic but if you keep researching about it you will eventually come to a conclusion if you are or aren’t.
I got 40 three times! I told my ex therapist that I was 99% sure I am high functioning Autistic and I asked her 3 times to test me and she wouldn't do it! (I am diagnosed as PTSD/OCD/5Anxieties/Depression) Also I quit therapy, so now I know for sure. I'm printing this and going to show it to her then taking it to my medication provider. Thanks so Much for the video and test link!
I scored a 35. One thing I don’t deal with is “not being able to identify feelings in others” or “not being able to tell when people are being serious or not”. I actually feel that I do well in “reading” others...its a big factor in why social situations can be undesirable for me.
Datman - I feel like I can read others pretty well, except I don’t get some people’s jokes. It’s really embarrassing to me to not get it. Besides that, I feel like an empath, I can pick up emotions really well
DT Undercover when I was a kid my friends (only much younger kids, because they didn’t judge me) would ask how I always knew when they were lying. So I think its natural.
Veronica V I pick up emotions too. And my humor is very dry. I like it when there isn’t much indication that I’m joking. BUT maybe I learned that from my family?
DT Undercover That makes sense. For me i just get this sense when things aren’t adding up. I think my brain like hyper-analyzes people. Everything from facial expressions and changes in vocal tones, nervous gestures and even stories that just dont add up. Any time my wife and i go somewhere, I spend the next hr or so talking to her about what I thought and saw. So many small things that people do can tell you a lot about the bigger picture of who they are. Lol either that or I’m crazy and don’t now what the hell I’m talking about. As far as learned behavior, I think I have learned to blend in. I realized I turn into a total weirdo when I’m at home but my wife loves me for it
DT Undercover Giving up might be the right thing. I’m very happy being alone, and I think that allows us to find the most fitting partner. We aren’t desperate. I was very honest with my wife, even on our first date, I made it clear that I don’t work like a “normal” person. There are chicks that LOVE that. And chicks that are the same way. Be picky. Great talking to you man, I appreciate your insights.
I'm a female and scored a solid 40 but my therapist is not willing to even consider I might be on the autism spectrum, as she keeps dismissing all my symptoms and concerns. At this point, she's honestly frustrating me more than she's helping me get anywhere. Not only is she disregarding the problems I actually do have, she's keeps trying to brainwash me into thinking I have other problems that I never had. If we keep going in circles for another month, I will probably be on the lookout for a new therapist.
@@gilhuberman261 I did, because she was supposed to be a "trauma specialist" but then she started saying bs like "you can't have C-PTSD unless you remember your trauma" (spoiler alert: yes, you can) or "that's not bad enough to qualify as trauma" so, since she was actually worsening my mental health instead of helping me get better, I had to quit therapy. Right now, the only support I'm getting is from online communities and I think I'm much better off.
@@Minakie God, how is she even qualified?? Reminds me of my school counseller who kept comparing my mental health to my trauma and using that to say that I should be okay now as I had it worse then (Big shocker, thats not how mental health works)
I took the test, and the imagination stuff was completely not me. My head is stuffed full of stories at any given moment - ever since I was little I've spent any free thought in daydreams. I have an overabundance of imagination, not less of it, and I do think it's because I'm autistic. It's more common in women (I'm afab), but a lot of people who are autistic report the same thing. And I still am interested and enjoy "numbers" stuff like math and coding, but stories are the far larger draw for my brain. Buuuuuuuuut I still got a 34
I feel the same, though not particularly interested in numbers. People call me scatterbrained and idk why I do stuff sometimes, not sure exactly where I am as I got a score of 29
I found the imagination questions a bit strange, too. Imagination takes a lot of forms. I have a strong imagination, as long as it is all my own work. When reading a book, I don't get a picture of what the characters look like in my head unless there is a picture in the book or I have seen a film representation, no matter how much the character's appearance is described in the book. However, landscapes and locations I have no trouble visualising. When in 'my own little world' my imagination runs rampant but there are very rarely any people that I don't know well in there, if there are any people at all other than me. I am also a woman and I got marked at 47.
@@karensparkes1078 That's quite similar to my experience. I've always loved literature and writing my own stories, I find it easy to make up stories, and I'm good at visualising landscapes and places. At the same time, I really struggle with visualising people, especially faces. Faces in my head seem to be more of an abstract idea than something visual.
I scored 40, 33M here. Always had difficulties in social interaction, had 2 friends in elementary, 1 at midschool, 1 at highschool, bullied in the teenage. It is sad to realise that a lot of problems I have had in life stem from this, my girlfriend was the first to suggest that I was autistic. Today I came across Paul's videos and I saw myself in a lot of things he says, so I tried to take the test.
I've done this test several times before and it was scored borderline. Now that I have more self awareness I scored 34. It is quite different for females. It depends on whether one is self aware and have a healthy comparison with neurotypicals, and also culture plays a huge role. My society is extroverted and people oriented, so I've learned early in life how to mask. As I mature I realized I know more about my autistic/Asperger's traits but also, due to life experiences I have also developed and adapted many neurotypical traits and perceptions. However if I were to live freely not choosing to mask will be my choice.
I first took this test in my early twenties and scored quite high, I think my original score was 42. Over the years I took it a few other times and I remember generally scoring 36-38, just now I scored 33. Your comment describes how I feel exactly, like I've adapted over the years. I do think it's very different for females with aspergers than for males.
I'm female and scored 46.... I've very recently self-diagnosed. I saw this quiz in a Temple Grandin book, so thank you for discussing it on here too. Interesting. I'm not sure if I want to put myself through an official diagnosis process, but I sure wish someone had explained all this when I was a kid. I'm in my late 40s. There is so much to work through.
I know that I have ADHD (I got diagnosed recently at mid 30), but I also resonate a lot with autistic treats. The whole alien and social awkwardness thing. I got 25 in the Test. 🙃
This is incredibly validating for those who are just exploring self-identification of being an autistic person. I've taken it a few times and keep getting like 36-38. The first time I took it, I thought "oh I'll probably get something inconclusive - like a maybe, but probably not" - hoho was I wrong! Which made me doubt the validity of the test - but then non-autistic folks I know have taken it and gotten the like 10-20 range. Finding this video helped reassure me that I'm on the right track with self-identification and self discovery. I'm autistic, and that's valid and great!
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42/50. Ultimately I find hard to understand myself. When I was a kid, my teachers advised my parents that I was supposed to be an Aspie. I always had some strong interests, and was by far the best in the class, besides having difficulties to retain and learn knowledge (whats not in my focus vibe). For me, life is always an exercise of "How do I get out of this situation?" and by trial and error, I keep learning how to behave and to talk properly at most common situations. It's like being an actor of your own life.
I definitely have expressed feeling like an actress whenever I do absolutely anything in the public eye in the past. I stutter as well so, I've been masking two things for a very long time it seems
My score was literally 49/50 but all my family members say that I will just 'grow out of it' one day and that I'm just making up excuses for being 'shy' :')
I've wondered if this test depends on how well you know yourself and will give accurate answers. But I've also done the test several times, sometimes trying to err on the side of one way or the other but I still get a pretty consistent result (about 36 I think).
I think you’re right. If you’re fairly high functioning, I think it’s easy to fall into the trap of giving the answers you think you should, or you may be masking well enough to have fooled yourself into giving more normal answers than are accurate.
I wasn't sure of what answers to give to a few of them because sometimes I like social situations and sometimes I really don't so not sure which box to tick for the ambiguous answers. Also since getting diagnosed with Lyme disease in my late 20s, my answers would be really different compared to how I would've answered in my teens or early twenties so I wonder how much my illness would skew the answers. I think I should do the test more than once (ie one set of answers for how I was before Lyme destroyed my health and one set of answers for how I am now). Consistently though I come up as borderline autistic. I got 33 btw.
Your video about high masking autistic women brought me here. I'm 40, female and diagnosed with ADD, depression and anxiety. I don't have any previous knowledge about autism, and I really did question my doctor's judgment when she suggested that I'd be on the spectrum and put me on a waiting list for diagnosis. I did the AQ test just now. Felt pretty convinced I'd score around 20 or so. Scored 44. Already so many things make more sense.
My score: 36 I have been formally diagnosed, so I suppose I fall in the 80% part of those who are autstic that take the test. Great video as always! Keep it up, Paul!
Scored a 32. As far as the social aspect of being able to read people and the room comes from hypervigilance with childhood cptsd. One learns to highly develop this skill for safety. I did a lot of quiet people watching to understand social interactions as well.
I scored a 43 out of 50. I was officially diagnosed several years ago in my late 20s or early 30s. A diagnosis was something I sought out after I learned more about autism, and it is relieving to know why I am the way I am, and that I am not broken, just different.
This was extremely helpful to breakdown the scores. Much better than any other explanation I've found. I appreciate the percents given to help compare likelihood. I have scored quite high, at 44, but wasn't sure if it was really "enough" to take the next step and speak with someone about a diagnosis, especially given that I am 30 years old and wouldn't someone have noticed by now? But finding out that it is extremely unlikely that a neurotypical individual would have a score like mine, in addition to having conversations with my husband about everything I have found out in the last few days while scouring the internet for explanations for what autism REALLY is and comparing that to how neurotypical people think, feel, etc., makes me feel like it is definitely worth the time and energy to speak to someone. Thank you for taking the time to make this video. It has been quite helpful.
I so far applaud your approach. I watched your part 2 first and was concerned. Having watched part one, I am comforted that you are presenting this topic appropriately. I was given a previous diagnosis in 1972 under DSM II (pre Aspergers) that when reevaluated many years later became a very strong diagnosis of Aspergers. On the RAADS testing I scored 198 and on the AQ testing 46. That out of the way, I am extremely concerned over the number of people on the spectrum (self diagnosed or formally diagnosed) that are making You Tube channels and presenting themselves as experts based only on the fact they are diagnosed. Unless formally trained, a person is only an expert on themselves. I think it should be mandatory for all such You Tube channels to open with a warning the information presented is for information only and not to be used for self diagnosis. Pretty much every channel I have checked into has people jumping in on the comments and proclaiming they are Autistic citing the criteria they just heard. As you well know, Aspergers/ASD is something we are born with. To reach a full on appropriate diagnosis takes a very honest review of an entire lifetime. Yes, a test can give you a hint, but, it has been shown you can give the same test at different stages of a persons life and the results are different. A lot of diagnosis is "observation based" and self observations tend to very biased. A "Self diagnosis" can be a helpful starting point, but it should be only a first step of a long journey. There are many disorders that share Aspergers/ASD and sometimes there is comorbidity issues as well. It has been statistically shown the mental health community gets it wrong around 40% of the time. So a self diagnosis error rate may be extremely high. To my point, any You Tube channel or website that does not inform viewers/followers of due cautions and dangers should be considered a very dangerous channel/site. I know of several popular channels who love to present "You are Autistic if....." videos and also chop diagnostic criteria into tiny bullets for people to self diagnose. I have not seen such activity on your channel as of yet, so I offer you an initial thumbs up in hopes you are guiding people with intent they be better prepared to seek a formal diagnosis.
I got a borderline result, around 30, when first did the AQ test about a decade ago. But I think it put me off seeking diagnosis, even though I got "probably autistic" (or whatever the wording was). Was put off because with many of the questions I felt almost exact opposite of many of the traits the test seemed to be linking to autism. I'm a female INTP (not great with routine) and hated maths in school but liked humanities, arts, and reading fiction. I usually want to be able to write an explanation after each question on the AQ, e.g. "Do people tell you you're rude" No, but I went for years barely saying anything, partly to avoid seeming rude. "Are you fascinated by numbers / dates / etc" No, but I am fascinated by music theory. And a particular book for learning German was essential to my survival during a difficult period, as I could pace about in car park after work reading German dialogues to self to decompress, until peak hour traffic over and I felt safe to drive home. "Do you get upset with interruptions to your routine?" No, I don't like routine / am terrible at setting up routines. But my life is chaos without lists. I felt like the AQ test put me off a bit from seeking diagnosis a decade ago, but I probably wouldn't have been diagnosed then anyway, so maybe lucky I waited til 2017 when different presentations of autism starting to be more recognised.
I agree- there is a subset of the ASD population drawn to creative pursuits, humanity, writing, arts, etc, and NOT STEM subjects. And I find these humanities oriented people with ASD not to have any lack of imaginative thinking or play (when younger)- except for a tendency to become overly immersed in imagination. I would think that they could also have different traits related to executive function, social function, and personality. I wish these humanities oriented people with ASD would garner more attention. I think they have a harder time finding work than our autistic engineers and coders.
@@LAvengers-59 I recognise myself in that... I wish I could have a diagnosis but I live in France and I am not too sure it's advanced enough in my country....
I got 42. I did this test about a month ago, I'm female btw. I recently found your channel and it has been very useful. I'm 31 and have been on the waiting list for a year so far. A few days ago I was finally given an appointment for 3 weeks time! Everything to do with autism makes me very overwhelmed and emotional, I don't know why. This video also had this effect on me. I will mention it in my first appointment like you advised :)
I recall having many of these traits as a child, but I was so unhappy and felt so odd that I forcefully changed most of these habits....now I am below the score of 25.
I feel you sis, I got a 24 when I did the test while relating the answers to my current self but when I did it again while relating the answers to my child self I got a 38
@@nickeni3050 I'm so jealous that yall remember your childhoods like that. Depression really stole my memory, even though I'm not anymore I can barely remember anything from back then. My sister told me recently that she thought I was an aspie as a kid, and I know that I've forced myself to become more socially competent/acceptable as I've grown up, so I'm guessing I would score higher if I could do a kid version (I score a 33 now).
@@booknerdjebbi5037I changed schools every 3 years so I got bullied at every one of them! I didn't have a great childhood too. i had an alright childhood when I was by myself or my best buddy.
I scored 44. Asperger sounds like my life 100 percent. Made several tests and an hour long diagnostic interview with my psychologist so far and she said it too that it seems that I really could have Asperger. Hope to get a professional diagnosis soon.
I scored 42 ... think I may be on the spectrum but am coming to terms with the fact that I may never have an official diagnosis. I am a 31 year old female. Good to learn about other people who have had a similar experience with things. Makes me feel not so alone :)
I scored 25, that was interesting, thank you for making this video. I can see how I could score differently on different days, according to how I feel that day. I've always felt different, I know I have anxiety & depression, but I was curious about this. Glad I found your page, very interesting content 🙂
The AQ test was fundamental in me realizing I was on the spectrum. Depending on how I answer the questions (some I'm not certain how to answer, and some of my answers are different now than they would have been when I was younger) I score anywhere between 32 and 40. It was very eye-opening to learn most people score 21 or below.
Thank you for sharing' i have never heard of the AQ Test' just completed one and scored 28 which confirms what i had suspected and screamed about for a few years now to be heard and taken seriously' your right also when people recognise the traits in you and actually see it too' its such a huge relief' thank you once again
It also helps to take the test more than once. Sometimes, questions on the test don't have apparent answers the first time. For example, for "I am fascinated by dates" -- I didn't think I was fascinated by dates upon first glance, but once I thought about it and paid attention to it, I actually am quite fascinated by dates, and numbers as well, and I tend to notice them more than others. So my score on the test ranged from 28-36, and averaged around 35 once I realized all the questions. I now have a diagnosis. I would say though, that the RAADS-R, Autismag, and RDOS tests are also useful and go into greater detail. I appreciate that those tests tend to allow for more than just a yes/no binary that the AQ test uses (despite having 4 options it only counts 2)
I spend countless hours looking up statistics on significant locations like cities, countries etc. I love beyond all measure the things like associated dates, populations, demographics, etc. I just can’t get enough some days. I also buy motoring magazines and more or less memorise the stats for each vehicle and series of each vehicle like Kw, engine capacity, top speeds, fuel economy etc. I do the same for jet airliners, trucks, and sometimes boats. Total waste of time but I can’t help myself. And don’t start me on flashlights. I have a collection of probably nearly 100 now, plus my knife and machete collection and all the stats that go with each metallurgical make up of particular blades and whatnot. I don’t watch tv in case you’re wondering where I find the time.
So the first time I took it, I got a 12. Which I was very confused about, until I realized that I had flipped the agree and disagree buttons. So, I actually got a 38, which makes so much more sense! LOL
Quite surprised to have scored 39. I always just thought I am simply introverted and perhaps from another planet. Never liked being around people a lot and had panic disorder with agoraphobia for 15 years (much better now thankfully). This could explain a lot, worth exploring further. Thank you for sharing this information!
Sharing in hope of validating someone similar to me ✨ 27 y/o cis woman, scored 40 on this just last week and was stunned. I really thought I was just imagining that “different” feeling all these years. Parent was told I was likely autistic (when I was a child with VERY obvious traits, in retrospect) and it was taken, or probably even delivered (true to Oklahoma style), as an insult... so I never got any help. Just punishment for being simultaneously too shy and too outspoken, “pretending” to be less intelligent while also being “smart mouthed,” and so forth. Y’all probably know that song and dance, so to speak. 🤦🏽♀️ I’ve been selling my art works since high school, was always engaged with musical performance, have always had high levels of achievement in mathematics (particularly statistics), and have always been a natural deep-dive-oriented historian/philosopher. Frequently called the “human encyclopedia” and have always felt alien, like an observer here to figure out humanity. Sucked at school and sucked even more at higher education but traditional southern family still poke fun at me for being “an academic” anyway. Just published my first book recently. No formal ASD diagnosis (and while open to it, not really looking to get one...no real benefits for me at this age in the US at my level of support needs, not to mention possible risks in healthcare provision, job security, etc.), but I am comorbidly diagnosed with PTSD & MDD. Hope this can help validate someone with similar experience here. Thank you so so so so so much for these videos, Paul. They’re helping me understand myself better and better in ways I didn’t even know how to verbalize that I needed ❤️
I am almost 17 and have never been diagnosed with any neurological disorder and just recently noticed that I may be autistic. My family denies it and I was raised to be "normal", but I realize I have been hiding some of the traits that I now believe are symptoms. I scored a 45 on this test, which is higher than most who have already been diagnosed. I'm hoping this can help on my journey to an official diagnosis
As a kid i kept hearing learning difficulties. So today i took a autism quotient test after seeing it mentioned here and i scored 48 out of 50. Im 56 and thats shocked me. Paul thank you x
I got a 25 on the test, I have depression and anxiety. When I was growing up I didn't feel like an alien, I felt I was the only "normal" one and everyone else was weird. I didn't know my brother or best friend were autistic til I was an adult.
I started researching autism a couple of years ago suspecting it for myself. After reading so much about it, it occurred to me that my oldest sibling might be autistic. I asked my Dad two weeks ago and he confirmed it. That sibling’s son is also autistic. I told my dad I too could be on the spectrum, and he said “no way! but you talk way too much” (my sibling and nephew are the opposite). It’s a spectrum, Dad!
I got 40 but I was unsure about many answers. I wish I could have answered "Well, it depends on the situation and if this and that... ... ..." I've been diagnosed with depression, social anxiety, panic disorder and agoraphobia, but it all feels kind of wrong. Or rather almost right, but as if some crucial point was misunderstood. I talked to my therapist about autism but she doesn't see me in the spectrum. I'm not sure though. She is very competent and a lovely person, but I can't always tell her what's going on in my head, so how would she know how I think and feel? It's all really confusing. Thanks for your videos, they are so insigtful!
Dude, SAME. (Though my diagnosis also includes OCD) It's so frustrating when you're trying to describe your thought processes and you just KNOW you aren't expressing them effectively. It's also confusing because a lot of the autistic traits I've found in myself might be attributed to the things I've been diagnosed with. Possibly excepting the OCD, because a lot of the behaviors I thought were symptoms of that are apparently common forms of 'stimming' in women, and I was doing those long before the anxiety issues cropped up.
@@AnimeFiend176 I wish it just wouldn't matter which diagnosis is "correct". That we could just be the way we are and everyone would be fine with it. And that people would simply believe us that we do our very best to act like "normal". If we can't do something the way society expects us to, it shouldn't matter why. It should just be ok.
Thank you so much for this video. I have been wondering for years if I am autistic, but I never dove into it all. I took the Autism Quotient Test last week and scored a 35 because of this video. I started reading up on it and everything makes so much sense. Thank you for helping me learn something about myself. I knew something was up! Seriously, thank you.
45 years old here. I got 29 on the test, twice. Initially I thought I had high chance to be on the spectrum... but after hearing your vid, I'm not sure anymore. Yes, I have a LOT of quirks that would classify as symptoms, and in other videos I found I could relate to most of what you say. Maybe I should forget about this, and forget I'm on the spectrum. Other tests show me that I had a high chance... but I rely more on this test, and if the score is inconclusive, then I'll leave it at that. If I'm autistic, I'm not sure if I can handle it, at least now. I have a snag, a quite bothersome feel that I am in the spectrum. If one day I have enough money and time, because the official diagnosis is expensive, and slow, I'll try again. Sigh... one of the reasons that I might be on the spectrum is precisely my hate of changes. I prefer to stay where I am, without knowing. It feels a little more comfortable. Even though something in the back of my head tells me I'm there. EDIT: Sigh... I took the RAADS-R test and got a score of 163, with, again, a very strong probability of autism. Geez, I guess I can't put this behind, eh? And again, I'm back to the point that I may be on the spectrum. Well, I guess it's time for to research a bit.
I feel the opposite way of thinking. I know that I have it and hate being in limbo by saying that I am autistic and ADHD undiagnosed. I want to know for sure by a doctor. Then I can move forward with an actual diagnosis and understand why I am the way that I am. I hate change as well among many of the other symptoms!
The first time I was searching If I have autism or not I came across this test and I scored 41 and I was like ''Oh now that's something huh...well.. I guess it is time to do more research'' and I did get a diagnosis but I think this test is a bit exclusive with not so obvious symptoms but like Paul said it's a good starting point :)
I've always had this feeling that I was different. At one point as a kid I actually fully believed I had been stolen as a baby, and that i wasn't really my parents child, despite all the evidence that I was. I've always wondered if perhaps I were autistic. Now I'm 23, and I want to be tested for it. It's always been in the back of my mind anyhow, and my entire life I've been told by my mom that I was just stubborn and that me and my brother just have severe adhd and that just explains it all, even though the doctors have always disagreed. I scored 44 on the test. I sent it to my brother, and he scored 48. I've tried explaining to my husband how different my way of thinking is to his, and why I think I may have it, but he just thinks I'm crazy. But this has made me feel better, and now I feel like I have a starting point to bring to the doctor. So thank you for sharing this.
I got a 45. I have always felt different and for a while I have been thinking that perhaps I am on the spectrum. I was thinking of getting a formal diagnosis and this video has given me the confidence to seek one. It is nice also to find that there are people out there in the world who have similar experiences, and you are not some kind of alien for feeling different.
A bit late of a response. I had my significant other take my ADD/ADHD test since she knew me a bit better than I did for some questions. For instance, I like to go out and meet new people, but have difficulties maintaining friendships over time. However, when it came to going out and going to parties, I'd just agree that I like to go out, but she'd put that I would strong disagree (hated it). Mainly because I would actually put up a fight the day of if it was spontaneous. Then I realized, I need to know in advance if were going to be with friends or extended family (not immediate, I love and have no issues with my parents or sister) otherwise I became very forgetful and my mood would destabilize. Then I bought a Nintendo Switch Lite and realized whenever I was out with large group of friends or extended family. I had my Game Gear or Game Boy to help me cope with the spontaneity. Without her, or some serious self reflection, I wouldn't have seen that and would have undoubtedly scored lower on the AQ. I'll be inquiring with my Psychiatrist. I haven't been officially diagnosed with ADD, but she treats me like I have it, it might be a bit more than that now. I scored a 34, though I'm afraid I'm a bit higher because some of the questions confused me. So it's possible he wasn't aware like I wasn't. Because I try to be social, it's just really tough.
@@SinisterGamingDev that's a possibility. The one that especially threw me for a loop for him was something like I find it easy to play pretend with children. He agreed, we have been together 8 years I have never once seen him pretend with a child. We have a son and he has never played pretend with him or any kid or any baby. I asked him if he has ever/can play pretend, he said yes. I would have strongly disagreed.
I received a 40 on the Autism Quotient Test, a score that surprised me utterly as I thought my answers "normal" by societal standards. But funnily enough, I have mentioned several autistic behaviours in which I actively engage to my therapist, but I never once went beyond the behaviour to question the reason for the existence or presence of so many autistic or autistic-like characteristics in me until recently, thus my being here in the first place. I have no desire to self-diagnose and I am still unsure of the result. Nevertheless, thank you for providing such a fascinating and informative channel.
Thank you for your video. I am 42, not diagnosed but just got 33 on the AQ test. I have struggled with simple things my whole life and feel like a whole other world has opened itself up.
Well im liable to think that for myself the test may be quite reliable. I scored a 45. I did take the test like 15 times, that and the RAAD-R test and the EQ, Facial Recognition test, Sensory Perception Quotient, and others. And I tend to believe its enough to be an official diagnosis. I have no idea what else a professional would be able to do different. I just think its really accurate for determining if you do, not so much for determining if you dont
Paul, YOU are certainly helpful. I don't know where I am or what's going on yet, but you've opened a new window for me...at 55. I've been in and out of depression and bipolar treatment my entire adult life. Now I'm realizing that it's mostly ADHD (probable certainty) and possibly some mild Autism/Asperger's in the mix (32 on the AQ test, plus other things you've said on various videos resonate with me, but in other ways I'm decidedly neuro-typical). Depression is merely a symptom of my failing to deal. Thanks for being an excellent tour guide, this next journey is just beginning for me as I pull this thread.
I scored a 31 (Female) Though really, I've been convinced I was on the spectrum for a really long time now, and I've actually put in a lot of effort into working out my social awkwardness, so like, had I taken this test just a few years ago, I'd most definitely have scored higher...
Huh... Got a 34. Combining that with the fact that I understand and identify with most of the stories that outspoken autistic people tell about their behavior. This seems like compelling evidence.
Every time I do a questionnaire related to any mental health disorder I always struggle a lot because a part of me wants to get a high score so that I have my proof to myself but the majority of me is trying to answer accurately so I can never tell whether I’m exaggerating or being accurate
This.
ME TOO DANG
I try to relate the question to a situation I've gone through in the past to help me. I scored 38 honestly as I could.
Samee... I just posted a comment in a more recent video about this concern.. that I'm masking so much that it gets harder to answer a question and understand if that's truly me or because if that's who I'm supposed to be and I want to proof to myself but my problem also included that it gets hard for me to answer accurately a lot of the times...
This is the most relatable thing 😭
I scored 40. I'm 73, and I'm sure I would have scored higher when I was younger. I'm self-diagnosed, and working with a counselor. I hope to eventually get a professional diagnosis.
Edit: My ASD diagnosis is now official.
Hi cindy. My name is also cindy. I am 48. I scored 44. Ppl always tell me i am not on the spectrum bc i am a woman and bc i can have conversations and i can (kind of) manage small talk. I don’t think i need a diagnosis bc i am not sick. What i do need is a manual for understanding how other ppl think and feel.
@@Peacefrogg Hi Cindy. I need one of those manuals too.
I understand not everyone wants or needs a diagnosis.
I was getting grief counseling because my husband died of cancer last year, and my counselor was the first person I ever told that I thought I might be Autistic. After several more sessions she said she would recommend me for testing. She knew a psychologist who had experience in testing for Autism in adults. If it wasn't for her I probably would never have actually gone for the testing.
Congratulations, Cindy.
@@Peacefrogg Haha, I had people freak out on me. Only my best friend and husband see it. The rest isn't very good at observing anyway.
So me scoring 47 is spent jog I should look into? Bc I've been wanting a diagnosis but haven't been able o get one
I got 30 but I always doubt my answers on questionnaires like these, like as if I don't actually know myself.
I feel the same way. I scored a 23.
I feel I know you pretty well after reading that. I just did the test for you. . You got 38
Me too...try waiting and taking it again...I’ve done this a couple times and I’m consistently between 29-32....might give you a better sense of where you fall...at least on this test...
I just took the test. I think I've done it before, but, after finding this channel, I decided to do it again. I got a 42...which after reading these results, sounds high. Yikes!
I invented the test. I’m autistic savant.
For anyone who sees this comment and this "The questions are open to interpretation" - I was the same. I think you've got to remember strong analysis skills are something that is fairly common in Aspergers.
If you're saying "it depends" on a large number of these questions, maybe you're over-analyzing in the same way someone with Aspergers would?
I thought "it depends" on almost all answers xD
Definitively. I instantaneously spotted biases in the articulation and the wordings of some questions. My Answer: what does that mean? ("Pattern in things" too inaccurate, not concret enough). Another answer is: here I have to compare to others. What is normal? (daily routines. Every single person on earth relies on routines for daily functioning and is irritated by changes bc of energy and time costs)
Other Questions act out some traits against other traits so that the mixed result is ambiguous and here i know that i am aspie, of a particular kind. Two examples:
1) perceiving body language and face language or other intuitive sign prosody, breathing.. energy...
Here they must distinguish between perceiving someone and responding over the right channel. For ex. I am extremely sensitive to people in terms of waves, moods, states. Some are astonished by this capacity. BUT i am equally extremely impaired to respond, to tune in. No appropriate expression tool. This is the "high sensitive Aspie" and i am very afraid of people.
2) coexisting high impulsivity biases the need of structure, planning predictability coming from high anxiety. Sometimes I rush in sth. Many Times i plan accurately to settle my anxiety and lack of confidence. (But is it of traumatic nature?)
Further more i have a high imagination. Have Aspies then no imagination?
This explains how Aspies can get low scores (me 18-21).
Do you relate to those first impressions?
@@edwigcarol4888 I think comorbidities and life experience could contribute to what you are saying. I agree with you and interpreted the questions similarly. I had to agree strongly with imagination questions and others relating to impulsivity overriding my need for structure and predictability. I am diagnosed with Combined Type ADHD, and as a 37 year old woman, scored a 27 and a 31 on this test, and I think that is due to my impulsivity related to ADHD and due to the life experiences like being raised by a man (who is likely autistic and his area of fixation was movies/TV shows) that showed me every movie ever made during my childhood, including silent films, read me comics since I was a baby, and provided what I now think of as a human interaction manual by all of this (bolstered by my voracious reading). My late brother was also clearly on the spectrum now that I think back, and he was responsible for me seeing endless foreign films and exposing me to even more "human ways of being" outside of my culture that my over-achiever self seemed to devour and "collect."
Brilliant point!
I took the test and noticed the same thing. This isn't a problem with you; this is a problem with the field of psychology. They go around just writing sloppily and p-hacking and cherry picking data and whatever else they need to do to publish papers, and they don't stop for a second to think about if what they're doing is well-defined or correct.
Tell an over-thinker to not over think a test is like telling someone who doesn’t like the dentist not to think about their tongue during an appointment.... = Fail 🤣
Yeah kind of like self-taught brain surgery or DIY Tooth extraction who snookered this guy that he has an DSM-5 reportable Asparagus Dreams????????????????? 🐱🏍🐱💻🐱🚀🐱🚀🤢🎁🤦♀️🤦♂️🤷♀️
*The dude has been played for* a _Sapp_ → Lo & Behold those whom are awake!!!!!!
There's no such thing as over-thinking.
You've thought enough when you have a formal proof. Everything less is incomplete.
This mood, and having to reread the question because you want to be sure it's not a trick question.
This sentence structure made me angry.
@@erllrma increasing number of adults aged ≥65 years are confounding direct clear cv-19 stats so since I am in that age-bracket I have chosen this *vicsim* for battle → Hired agent for Pharma!
pneumonia & influenza (P&I) due to covid-19 do not exceed Cardiovascular + Cancer so as such I am contending that battling for knowledges is neither Aphasia nor ASD as we are led to believe by this *Vicsim* as I know having attended meetings where they tried to take over our Op
Pharma / MH always works this way they hire an agency to do PR → Onset of seizure is the portal opening
It's important to not seek an answer that you're happy with but rather an answer which is correct. Many people get caught up in confirmation biases.
Today my mother tried to tell me that I’m not autistic, that I just have very bad anxiety and depression and that even though she had me tested and they said it’s a “developmental disorder”. I needed a little bit of reassurance and confirmation, and getting a 39 boosted my confidence a little. I’m just trying to live a balanced life, invalidating my experiences isn’t going to help. Thanks for this, Paul.
Zero neurotypical folks getting 38+ is like a safety belt on the whole thing, feeling much better
Congrats :)
I remember when I told my mother that I believed to be on the spectrum, it was similar. Somehow parents don't enjoy the thought of it, because it's so "chronic" in a way. "Behind in development"? You can catch up. "Depression, anxiety"? Have some pills. ASD is a lot more complex and a lot more about how YOU learn to deal with it.
@@jomonger-g1f whoa whoa whoa isn’t that a pretty ableist way of going about this??
@@bonanahh I'm a female and turning 20 this month. I scored 35. I really wish getting diagnosed would be much cheaper, it's way too expensive. I might need to wait a decade or two to have enough money to get a official diagnosis. I'm not sure how people have enough money to get multiple diagnosis. I have self diagnosed social anxiety. My mom once again does not believe at all that I might have autism even though I shared the statistics of the 32+ and the 38+ scores
Also since I'm female it might be a 1 - 3 point difference, if it's 3 points, then I could have been 38
Just took the test today and scored 44. I'm almost 60 years old and although I was shocked I'm also very relieved to be able to put a name to my lifelong difficulties. Thank you for sharing this.
I also got same but I'm still second guessing myself
I got a 32. I suspect I would have scored higher when I was younger, but life experiences have probably softened the edges somewhat (I'm 62 now).
That is precisely the same thought I had - I was much more socially awkward when i was younger (I'm 50 now). Scored 32 as well, which feels like the most unsatisfying figure because it's right at the bottom end of the 'you are likely to be on the spectrum' range and either tells me that I'm at the upper end of the control group or the lower end of the autistic group, which is exactly how I've always felt! Even 31 or 33 would have felt more conclusive to me. Perhaps the fact that such a small change in the result would affect my thinking so much is a pointer in one direction?
i also had a go and got 32 as well
I agree on that. I got 33. I can only ansver for now.... there should be a test for when i was a child,A test for when i was a tenager, A test for adult,a test for older.. to see the whole .
Yes, I'm 49 and I also got 32. I learnt over the years to cope and even enjoy some situation.
I’ve noticed that often those on the spectrum tend to fare decently later in life, or at least I do. My childhood consisted of understanding I wasn’t normal (didn’t fit in) and having to work really hard at “being normal” (at least on the outside lol). Now in my 40s, although I don’t always fit-in, I can sort of hit autopilot to make it through the day or a situation.
me: _gets a 38_
also me: no i'm fine it's just my adhd and social anxiety... yep definitely...
I got a 38 too. I do have anxiety though but I was also Dx'd with OCD. One of my adult children got Dx'd with Aspberger's (as it was still called) when she was a young adult. Started to make me think whether I could also be on the spectrum.
I got 33. Last time, I got a higher score (38), so it depends on what mood I am in? I am getting tested, though, and will be surprised if they determine that I am not.
about 70% of individuals with autism spectrum disorder may have one comorbid mental disorder, and 40% may have two or more comorbid mental disorders) Simonoff et al. 2008. When criteria for both ADHD and autism spectrum disorder are met, both diagnoses should be given.
@@coreycox2345 I scored a 34, and yes, there is a term that explains the deviation from one score to another, the word is so useful I told myself I would remember it, but I forgot. Funny, I think about it often, "what's that word used to explain why my answers are different? shit, I forgot." I came across it a few years ago and hadn't come across it since. I beat myself up for it all the time, lol
We got the same sore !
Yay ?
Mine was 39 and I'm female. My past diagnoses were bipolar/phobic/anxiety and depression. Thank you for sharing.
-- it's actually surprisingly common for lassies to end up being diagnosed with bipolar when they've got autism. maybe you could get a test for it, if pawssible?
Unfortunately in the old days, shrinks were like "gIrLs DoN't GeT aUtIsM!!!1111!!!one!!!eleven!1!"
I got a 36 on the test and diagnosed bipolar previous. this whole Channel feels a lot more like home than the bipolar diagnosis
I think I have both bipolar and autism as my bipolar is defo mania sometimes and I end up in mental hospitals
I've taken the test multiple times in the last few years (I didnt start to think about ASD as possibility until I was nearly 30), and have scored a 37, a 32, a 27, a 42, and a 34. I talked to an autism specialist once last year and that went weird. They dragged me between different rooms just to tell me they couldn't do anything to help diagnose or help me function better, because they worked with people with a less than 70 IQ.
I was diagnosed ADHD in high school and bipolar with a tinge of schizoid in college. Then I was just bipolar type 2 when I voluntarily checked myself into a hospital during a bad bout with depression and alcohol.
It wasnt until I met my now wife and my dad told me that watching that awful Young Sheldon show reminded him of me as a kid that I started to think the docs had got me all wrong.
-Pocket
I am an adult cis woman, and I scored a 42 on the AQ test. I decided to continue down the rabbit hole toward official diagnosis and have an appointment later this week. Thank you for this content - it's making me feel better about my decision to be officially assessed.
So did you get diagnosed?
What happens when you get diagnosed? Is there some benefit? I think this is just who we are.
@@HappyHoney41 if your suffering from anxiety and other symptoms go to a therapist about those things and then bring up autism.
That way you can find out if you are or aren’t and get help if your not.
2 birds one stone
@@King-balloon I'm in the US. Unfortunately I have to pay thousands of dollars in deductibles and autism testing isn't included. (It's specifically excluded.)
@@HappyHoney41 You finally understand your "quirks" and can control em better.
37 but there are questions i dont even know how to answer and it always feels as if i didnt even know myself, or how i think
Some questions are really poorly worded. I remember from a research class I took that you shouldn't formulate with negatives in an agree-disagree question, because it's confusing, since it can create double negatives. There are also some questions that can be differently answered based on the situation. I still got 41 though, so even with some changes it appears that I have many Autism traits
38 here. Actually rather surprising, though I had little difficulty deciding what the answers were for me. A few times I went for "slightly agree" rather than the stronger version just because I thought I'd feel like I was exaggerating if I did. I don't know if that's a common feeling or not.
Yeppp I felt very similar, I was born female (I'm non binary) and got 36, also a lot of the times I wished there would be a neutral option
More than half the time I also put down slightly agree / disagree. I decided to go with Paul's instruction. DON"T think too hard.
@@zaeblet_you are correct. It only counts in the positive or negative, not a graded scale
I am a 15 year old girl and I scored 41. For a few years now I have been thinking that I am autistic. I often find social interaction very difficult and I don't like the things other people of my age like, such as boys and makeup. I prefer to read a good book. I also often say what I think, when someone says to me "What do you think of my shoes" and I don't like them, I say "I don't like them". Until a few years ago I didn't realize at all that I was much more honest about somethings than others, until a classmate once said that to me. I have already talked to my mother once, but she does not want me to be tested, because she thinks that it may cause problems later, for example finding a job. I would like to be tested, that would provide certainty and relief or something. (I find it uncomfortable to talk about this with someone but especially my mother)
I don't understand why your mother thinks a diagnosis would hinder you in finding a job, it's not like you're gonna put it on your resume??
A year or two ago my dad said to me "It would be nice if you shoveled the snow off the driveway" and I replied "Yeah, it would be", not realizing that he wanted me to shovel the driveway. I feel ya :P
Also, I'm a cuber too, I suggest going to competitions once the pandemic is over, if you haven't already competed. I've found it way easier to connect with people that I share a hobby with.
I’m also 15 and I also have the feeling for a long time now that I have autism (I also scored 40).... my mother has no problem with me getting diagnosed somewhere in the future, because my brother also got diagnosed last year, but I fear that maybe the teachers and other students in my class would feel pity for me if I get diagnosed, and I don’t want people to treat me differently than now (mostly because I also have social anxiety and don’t want to get attention 😅)
My advice would be to get tested with a professional - your primary physician and/or a licensed psychologist are places to start. Get parental permission. It may help to continue your online research & perhaps share what would back up your concerns with your mother (if not already). Tests (written, as well as both one-on-one & parent-attended interviews with dr) will be at least helpful in ruling out alternatives. If you are diagnosed, it should be confidential & friends, classmates, potential employers, etc don't have to know. However, you & your family will have valuable info to guide you in decisions regarding further educational & career goals, if not also relationship goals. There are resources to assist with those types of things. Best wishes to you!
*Not an MD but enough college & work experience in psych & ed to have good insight & wisdom. Plus personal medical history - makes me wish I knew much more 20+ years ago. There's always hope for success though! ❤️
@@tabeaansorge2350Yeah, I now what you mean. I definitely don’t want that pity too. But I guess you don’t have to tell everyone.. I want a diagnosis because I think it will solve some problems in my head. Not necessary to tell other people, in school ect. Maybe over some time I would tell them. But it is different for everyone whether you want to tell them or not.
I took this test twice with a separation of 2 months (35 and 32 points accordingly) i'm still feeling skeptical about having austim, even though my mom has mentioned some pretty "autistic" patterns of behaviour I had as a child, like avoiding socialization, playing by myself all the time and being extremely distant and day dreaming, etc... It feels like i'm seeking validation for issues and faults i've always had, rather than justifying on a logical sense why they happen still. Maybe the issue lies on my motivation, but it seems really scary to actually go forward and see a specialist. I guess you could say i'm scared that they say I dont have autism when I've dedicated so much of my time researching about it and then I would have to justify my struggles with trauma, which just doesn't feel enough for me.
I am on the same actual situation as you, got a 32 on the test, my mom said I could be autistic, and I also dont know if I am searching about it just to "justify" my behavior, or if it is because I really believe I could have autism.
It can be both, but everytime I think of it, everything just seems to fit, just not to an extreme level...
I am sure going to consult some specialist soon
I am 19
I took the test again today and scored 32 yet again ...
I am going to a shrink now, lets see how things will turn out
Also 32. My social skills are passable. The sensory stuff is more of a problem. I didn't like the test though. It harped on the same things--imagination, for one thing.
I started exploring about the possibility of having autism last week, and took the test as well, my score 32. It just doesn't feel right, and then i read you and... wow. You explained my feelings better than what i would ever could have. I feel like a mess right know but are too scared to confirm anything, maybe in some distant future i will try.
I got 38, I'm 76 yo next month (female) and have suspected for a while that I'm on the spectrum. Wish I'd known sooner because this knowledge explains so many things in my life, from childhood on.
It’s such a big struggle for women. I’m 18 and suspect I may be on the spectrum, looking to be professionally diagnosed soon. I wish you a good journey in life ❤️
I'm a female and turning 20 this month. I scored 35. I really wish getting diagnosed would be much cheaper, it's way too expensive. I might need to wait a decade or two to have enough money to get a official diagnosis. I'm not sure how people have enough money to get multiple diagnosis. I have self diagnosed social anxiety. My mom once again does not believe at all that I might have autism even though I shared the statistics of the 32+ and the 38+ scores
Also since I'm female it might be a 1 - 3 point difference, if it's 3 points, then I could have been 38
I just got a 34.
Before that, I had taken an IQ test a long time ago and was happy with the “gifted” label, which had given me some sense of validation.
But this. This hits hard. I've just watched your video “Are you undiagnosed autistic?” and it hits home really hard. I've always felt so alone. I'm crying. I've always felt like I had a gaping hole in my heart because I felt so alone. Fortunately, my situation has improved a lot over the last 4 years, since I left home, but still.
I have good relationships with my classmates, but friends? I never know if someone is a friend, if I can consider someone a friend. So for the longest time in my childhood, I considered myself friendless, since no one had explicitly told me that I was their friend. All this often comes back to me when I'm on vacation and I have nothing to do. I don't dare or think of contacting people without any justification. So outside of school, where I don't have to justify myself: I'm talking to you because I've just bumped into you. Sending messages and maintaining friendship is an obstacle. How do you maintain a friendship??? Please help me, I don't understand. I'm always wondering if I'm weird or not, or I always need to confirm that people don't hate me because I've done something wrong.
As I said, everything has become a lot better since I left home and started to have my new friend group, but still, deep down there is a huge wound unhealed. I feel so alone, even tough there are people in my life. Friendship is a problem for me
I am having a hard time seeing how autism is not just normal feelings and emotions, or I am autistic
I think it's also the result of how the world and humankind is shaped. Everybody must be the same, react the same and act the same. If you're not, you are 'weird'...
@@exception360 I don't know if I am autistic but I am definitely introverted, or weird as you say, lol
@@buddymoore6504 Me too. Did the test and I got 26. I'm also an introvert but sometimes things are confusing and I don't know what I am or how I fit in.
@@SenTiNel93 you're human, you fit in just fine
Most of what I'm hearing makes autism sound way more like social anxiety than whatever it is I thought it was. Whereas I have many of the traits listed in the second video I was raised to believe it was okay to not fit in, feel extremely different. As a child I sort of took Tom Baker's Doctor Who as a role model because it made me feel comfortable to do so. I take a kind of pride in being different. A lot of my early childhood I was mocked and bullied... I didn't change who I was or how I behaved but when I was a teen I became popular for the very behaviors I was mocked for. I have always been called weird... I looked up the word's origin and it means 'fated'. All of the strange connotations came from Macbeth's Wyrd sisters. People often don't believe me but it doesn't bother me, I like to be prepared and tend to over prepare... pretty much all the things in the 25 questions except the anxiety and worry part. When I was in school a teacher wanted to have me take the GED in 7th grade. My mother said she worried that I would miss out on peer interaction and my teacher told her I had no peers. I just scored 25 on the test which said low to no qualities. I had one teacher who swore I was autistic and a psychiatrist say I definitely was not. At this point I'm wondering if I'm just autistic without an anxiety factor attached but at the same time I don't think it matters to me if I am.
Scored a 38. I have been diagnosed with ASD (Aspergers) for 9 years now. Had a lot of help back then and must say that i would have answered these questions different back then. I do have a drive to learn social aspects since i was diagnosed. I am a teacher(math) now for 7 years and have a wife now (met her 7 years ago). The test should not be the end for you. I took my diagnosis as a perfect oppertunity to focus on what was holding me back. Once i figured out what i wanted and what i needed everything went up from there. Use this information to better yourself. Not to belittle yourself or find excuses. I thought my life was over first thing after i was diagnosed. I haven't been more wrong in my life.
I think this test works best in tandem with several others that measure different aspects of autism. It’s very similar to something a counselor had me do recently for my formal screening. One of my issues is that I tend to be more social and cooperative than is normal with autism, because I have gotten so isolated that I’m willing to do stressful cooperative activities to spend time with loved ones or just to get a little socialization.
Chat-Mort it is exhausting, is it not? It took 40 years, but I did get to a safe place where I can describe what is happening inside. I feel like if people really knew how much I struggle, they might lock me up.
Story of my life...
I do that too. It does tend to exhaust me afterwards but I get bored and feel cooped up around the house too much alsom
I scored 39. 68 year old female who probably masked a lot but definitely non conforming at school. You have no idea how relieved I feel to finally understand myself, especially the rage reactions, overthinking, depression, social avoidance and shame. Your video on gender nonconformity was so valuable.
41/50. I was a research psychologist for years, but I have always struggled to connect with, and understand others and their motives. For the past year, I have been looking at myself and how I interact with the world and came to the conclusion I fall somewhere within the Autism spectrum- specifically Asbergers. I don’t know if I am going to see someone about this or even share this info about me- I’m 57 and I live in a self-isolating world, but it’s relieving to have an explanation for my isolation and my struggles. Thank you for this video.
Singing my song man-- same score, same profession, same age, and approximately the same lifestyle and conclusion. However there is solace in knowing you're not the only one...
Not the same job, grandmother but 55yrs old.. I struggled all my life with.. life....and only yesterday found out by accident viewing a video on autism that I am definitely on the spectrum, namely Aspergers.
I dont know if I should waste my doctors time getting a diagnosis as I’m so old but I WOULD like to know just to confirm what I now know
to be true.
I'm also living in self isolation and really strugling just to get food ...I'm 43 and was diagnost with depression 25 years ago. The psychologist got it all wrong but what else can they do? I mean is there a pill for this? I took so many different medications and nothing really works .
@@mickboisjoli2808 there are "treatments" for autism in that in some cases, certain treatments for children can cause them to reverse their diagnosis. I think in France they showed a video about someone called Luc Montaigner who gave a child antibiotics because he was convinced that the autism symptoms were the result of Lyme Disease (which is what I have) and the child's behaviour completely changed. Other doctors have treated other underlying stuff such as mycoplasma, implemented dietary changes (as food intolerances are common in the ASD community) and a few other things that have had dramatic effects on things like reducing sensory overload and it's affected their temperament as well.
there was a documentary on channel 4 (in the UK) and it showed a treatment in America to do with altering something in the brain, sorry I can't remember what it was called, but it's extremely controversial cos it can change people's whole identities and outlook on life. They spoke to one adult male who did the treatment and it changed his emotional perspective (ie developing empathy, suddenly realising the perspectives of others etc) so dramatically that he was crippled by extreme guilt and almost became suicidal as it was too much too soon and very overwhelming.
How come you struggle to get food? That sounds really scary.
I got 41 as well. I'm 43 and I am going to seek a diagnosis.
I discovered this channel just today. I’m 35 and been diagnosed with depression and anxiety from my early teens. No amount of work with the doctor or therapists has truly helped.
I’ve always felt different and that I wasn’t quite “normal” like everyone else. I’ve mentioned to people, including a therapist, that I think I might be autistic and usually the response is “well I think we’re all a little bit autistic” and it’s always put a stop to my beliefs.
I’m exhausted today but after finding this channel, I took the online test and scored 42 out of 50. I’m quite emotional, probably due to the exhaustion, but feel like I found a new path today.
So, thank you for making this video and thank you for giving me hope for a (slightly) better outlook for my future.
I'm 36 and could've with almost everything you said. Trying to figure out what's up with me with an open mind led me here. I scored 41. Don't know what to say really
I got a 35. About a quarter of the questions I wish there was a neutral option, but I feel I would have scored the same.
Same
Same
I got a 37 but I really felt that, a lot of the questions made me think because of the lack of a neutral option
I got 36 but I have gotten a lower score before.
Got a 35 but I'm female so there might be a 1 - 3 point an increase if I was male
I got a 39. I’m undiagnosed and unsure whether or not I have ASD. I’m afraid that if I go to a doctor they will tell me I don’t have it and I’ll feel dumb for thinking I did. I just know I’m neurodivergent in some way. It’s just that sometimes when I hear other ASD stories I doubt myself because it’s so much more prominent in other people’s lives. I know it’s a spectrum of course but I just don’t feel like I have a strong enough case for a diagnosis. I want a diagnosis but I’m afraid to go in case I can’t get one. I’m rambling. Does that make any sense?
I got a 38. And you basically just described my situation exactly. I'm afraid of what it could potentially mean if a doctor says that I'm not on the spectrum or anything.
YES IT MAKES SENSE AND I FEEL YOU SO MUCH!!!! i have the exact same problem/doubt.... i sometimes even brush off the fact that i could be autistic even if a friend of mine who is autistic for sure, assures me that i am too....on the test i also scored over 30 but still i am not convinced because when i hear other autistic stories, they just do not apply exactly to mine. Yet i feel so different and exhausted from the world, i struggle so much in social interactions and its actually getting worse and worse as i age but still... not sure if autistic or just a weirdo who doesnt know how to be a human being....
@@verycreativenameforsure I'm the same way. It has gotten progressively worse each year. And I too struggle tremendously in social scenarios. Work is now being affected. But I hope you're able to find some answers. That light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak. The one takeaway from this is that we definitely aren't alone.
@@cawmen @Tina C I feel you both! I'm glad you guys related to my comment because I was definitely feeling isolated. Thanks for sharing. :)
Try to make notes somewhere related to what you do or did not noticed about yourself, what you recalled from the past etc ... For example when i heard about stimming my first thought was "i dont stimm"... then i started to recalled all the pen spinning, hair chewing, going over my skin with a finger in circles etc etc etc ... Not to mention if you would meet me before i got a job ... I had huge problems to speak with people i did not know. Call someone on the phone. Or when i forgot my sweater in other class during elementary school it took me over half a year to go pick it up ... Doing much better now but its because i work in big company where I am in contact with people so i observe what is proper behavior in what situation and practice it by immitating them. 15+ years of it. I scored 29 .
I think when I took the AQ I scored in the 40s... it shocked me. Masking so well I fooled myself lol.
Clint LeClerc I finally put together enough historical data points from my own observations and from my mother’s observations, to get my therapist to take a serious look. It was validating in a major way. Wish I could find a group out here.
Christopher Miller Unfortunately I think receiving an official diagnosis would do me more harm than it would good...but I wish you the best of luck, you should try the website wrongplanet.net , its a forum for aspies to meet and chat.
That's how I feel. I often fool myself.
I scored 39 - I knew I was ND and considered myself 2e & ADHD. I am very particular about a lot of things, I'm easily overwhelmed by noise, lights, & colors (or just visual clutter), and I considered myself HSP. I took mostly gifted/advanced classes in school, but consistently got burnt out & was first diagnosed with depression in middle school, and I've gone through cycles of what seems like anxiety and/or depression ever since. I'll be 34 this year and struggle with the shame of not being able to do (focus on & complete) mundane tasks, despite my ability to learn new things quickly. This explains SO much!
43/50 and I'm female. I want to start a conversation with my doctor but I once brought it up in the past with a psychiatrist and I instead got diagnosed with borderline personality disorder -- but BPD doesn't fit right with me. I find health care providers are very dismissive of my concerns because I'm high-functioning, but they don't even bother to ask in what ways this impacts my daily life.
Unfortunately, autism in women isn't taken nearly as seriously as it should be. Keep pushing for a real diagnosis or get a new psychiatrist who will take you seriously.
I completely relate to you here
@@boi.9936 And careful with that as well, as a female you're also more likely to be accused by the medical profession of "doctor shopping" to get your preferred outcome, yes that type of gaslighting exists too. I've had it happen to me more than once for other diagnoses and I turned out to be correct each time, on one occasion I even needed surgery for a very physical problem that there was no denying, yet several doctors tried to give me Prozac instead of even bothering to begin investigating other avenues. I've never attempted to be diagnosed as autistic/aspergers and not likely to even try because of this, even though I think I am on the spectrum. I got 36 in the test.
I recommend the podcast *Bodies* for infuriating and often relatable stories about women being dismissed by the healthcare system. The second episode of season 1 is especially relevant.
Yep
I remember getting a 31 on this years ago. Technically not definitive but I got a lot in common with Aspie types. It's just hard for me to claim it when I see it affect other people more profoundly. But it is helpful to help explain my personality to people who may be confused or unfamiliar.
I scored 45. My life is a mix of callapse and rebuild. I'm exhausted and alone.
37 here. I can relate.
I understand the collapse and rebuild. It’s the story of my life.
Exausted but not alone
wowe ! :O same
It's harder to feel alone while surrounded by those we care about then to be in solitude. It's lonely to feel as if no one speaks the same language as you. It's exhausting to see the cycle come and go. It's exhausting to try everyday just to fail. And for what? Never feels like it's enough, always feels like you don't belong
My therapist recommended this & I was shocked to score 42. Of course, I then took it again- making myself go faster as to be sure I wasn't "tricking" myself. I also had my best friend and boyfriend take it bc then I was sure the test must give bogus high scores. They were both below 25. ADHD & anxiety have been my long-standing diagnosis so far (I'm 30), but my therapist said ASD continues to explain several points that don't make sense otherwise. Best to all!
The best statement about the AQ-Test was;
"The AQ-TEST indicates that you are on the autism spectrum and not that you aren't."
Thanks for making this important distinction. My test will be in a few months. Now I can approach it with confidence.
This video really broke things down in a way I could grasp it. The visual aids were so helpful. I scored a 44 and this was very informative and helps me understand what is behind that number. Thank you for the excellent content.
"a score from 20-30 won't tell you much" I got a 25. I know nothing.
I think part of what adds to my confusion on whether or not I'm on the spectrum is my relationship to social situations. I like people, I want to have friends, I like hanging out in social situations/parties (assuming I'm with people I know) but people exhaust me, and I don't really feel like I understand social situations, and never seem to pick up on social cues. (I once was checked out and hit on by someone, and I didn't realize until after the fact when someone else pointed it out to me) I don't know if I'm on the spectrum or just completely oblivious.
I'm the same way. I took the test because whenever I read/watch something with an autistic character, I identify with them. But my score was in the 26-32 range, so I'm still not sure what to make of that. I'm not antisocial, but parties and other social situations tire me out very fast. That could just mean I'm an introvert. I used to have a problem making eye contact when I spoke and still can't always tell if someone is being serious or joking, but that's all "borderline" stuff. There's nothing about me that I can point to as definitively telling me whether I'm on the spectrum or not.
On the bright side, you're now the wisest man in Athens, for you know that you know nothing ;)
I got a 28 and I'm the same way. I can, for the most part, hang out in groups and get along but it's very easy for me to miss cues, especially if someone is interested in me.
Daniel Craig Exact same score for me, pretty much the exact same thing socially.
This is irritating, lol.
I got a 27 and have a small circle of friends and like it that way...prefer animals. I don't pick up on social cues either, don't know how to flirt or when I am being flirted with
Scored a 26, although I wonder how much my ADHD is involved. I've been reading that Autism and ADHD have some similar traits. Just want to know why I feel so broken. Your channel is amazing, and even if I'm not on the spectrum....much respect to you and all those just trying to be.
Scored a 43. My evaluation is Tuesday. I’ll update.
Update on appointment. It was two hours of being asked a lot of questions. Some info I felt needed to be volunteered. I do not have a diagnosis yet. Not sure if I’ll get one. First thing she said was, “well you seem to be communicating well” 🙄 Forget about isolating myself so I don’t have to communicate with the rest of society. We will see.
I’ll update with results.
@@hollietamale5156 I've got my first discussion with a GP in January. I'm petrified of being dismissed out of hand but I'm going equipped with as detailed notes as possible about why I think I'm on the spectrum and my test score (40) so hopefully I won't get fobbed off and will gain the referral I'm looking for.. being the NHS I'm expecting it to take a lot of time though.
bloodyskied This lady had no clue about Autism. She had a medical book open in front of her, reading off criteria. I showed her my RAADS-R score and my AQ score. Now I wait for her to figure it out 🙄.
@@hollietamale5156 Was this a GP, mental health nurse, psychologist or someone else?
bloodyskied as far as i knew before going in, she was qualified. I was told she evaluates kids but willing to see me. She said she was going to consult with someone and give a a call. 🤷🏼♀️
28/50. This result, combined with all the other videos I watched and looking at my life experiences...my analytic mind tells me they´re all just coincidences!
Ye me too, I got 24
My therapist is convinced I have adhd and not autism, but this will be a good thing to show them. I just hope they are aware of this test and won’t dismiss it as illegitimate just because it’s online...
You can have both.
@@NovaDivine999 i do, lol 😂
I am a transgender man (FtM).
Nowadays I am expected to have AD(H)D and (self proclaimed) Autism.
I scored 38 on the test.
In the past I have been diagnosed with BDP, Depression, Anxiety, Eating Disorder (non defined).
Due to being raised with different social standards I was able to go undetected.
Often times gas lit 'you can't be autistic because you can speak'.
People not knowing how much effort I have put into trying to understand/do the right thing at the right time/have the right facial expression.
I am very anxious about getting a official Aspie diagnosis, due to the long process and being misjudged in the past. It's made me anxious to go through processes like these.
Your videos and people who comment on the videos have been incredibly eye opening and lovely (albeit a rollercoaster of emotions).
Thank you for posting these videos.
I was scrolling through to see if I could find another transman 🙂
I'm curious how many questions cross over into my ADHD diagnosis. A few of them made me think of my ADHD... I do have a Sensory Processing Disorder.. I scored a 35. So.. this is interesting
Great question. I also have adhd and feel that some of these questions could be explained by it.
I was looking for this comment! I got similar, 34, and have an ADHD diagnosis and social anxiety. Put those two together and I would think I'd get a lot of the same answers as an autistic person
It's very common for ADHD and autism to be comorbid. In fact, if you have one of the two, it's more likely that you also have the other than that you only have one.
Same, ADHD and I scored 36. Though non-verbal shutdowns and quite a few other traits I have aren’t explained by ADHD. It took me a while to stop coming up with reasons why I can’t be autistic but if you keep researching about it you will eventually come to a conclusion if you are or aren’t.
I got 40 three times! I told my ex therapist that I was 99% sure I am high functioning Autistic and I asked her 3 times to test me and she wouldn't do it! (I am diagnosed as PTSD/OCD/5Anxieties/Depression) Also I quit therapy, so now I know for sure. I'm printing this and going to show it to her then taking it to my medication provider. Thanks so Much for the video and test link!
I scored a 35. One thing I don’t deal with is “not being able to identify feelings in others” or “not being able to tell when people are being serious or not”.
I actually feel that I do well in “reading” others...its a big factor in why social situations can be undesirable for me.
Datman - I feel like I can read others pretty well, except I don’t get some people’s jokes. It’s really embarrassing to me to not get it. Besides that, I feel like an empath, I can pick up emotions really well
DT Undercover when I was a kid my friends (only much younger kids, because they didn’t judge me) would ask how I always knew when they were lying. So I think its natural.
Veronica V I pick up emotions too. And my humor is very dry. I like it when there isn’t much indication that I’m joking. BUT maybe I learned that from my family?
DT Undercover That makes sense. For me i just get this sense when things aren’t adding up. I think my brain like hyper-analyzes people. Everything from facial expressions and changes in vocal tones, nervous gestures and even stories that just dont add up. Any time my wife and i go somewhere, I spend the next hr or so talking to her about what I thought and saw. So many small things that people do can tell you a lot about the bigger picture of who they are. Lol either that or I’m crazy and don’t now what the hell I’m talking about.
As far as learned behavior, I think I have learned to blend in. I realized I turn into a total weirdo when I’m at home but my wife loves me for it
DT Undercover Giving up might be the right thing. I’m very happy being alone, and I think that allows us to find the most fitting partner. We aren’t desperate. I was very honest with my wife, even on our first date, I made it clear that I don’t work like a “normal” person. There are chicks that LOVE that. And chicks that are the same way. Be picky. Great talking to you man, I appreciate your insights.
I'm a female and scored a solid 40 but my therapist is not willing to even consider I might be on the autism spectrum, as she keeps dismissing all my symptoms and concerns. At this point, she's honestly frustrating me more than she's helping me get anywhere. Not only is she disregarding the problems I actually do have, she's keeps trying to brainwash me into thinking I have other problems that I never had. If we keep going in circles for another month, I will probably be on the lookout for a new therapist.
Definitely look for a therapist you feel comfortable with and who is supportive.
I hope you left that awful sounding "therapist"
@@gilhuberman261 I did, because she was supposed to be a "trauma specialist" but then she started saying bs like "you can't have C-PTSD unless you remember your trauma" (spoiler alert: yes, you can) or "that's not bad enough to qualify as trauma" so, since she was actually worsening my mental health instead of helping me get better, I had to quit therapy. Right now, the only support I'm getting is from online communities and I think I'm much better off.
@@Minakie Hope your doing well!
@@Minakie God, how is she even qualified?? Reminds me of my school counseller who kept comparing my mental health to my trauma and using that to say that I should be okay now as I had it worse then (Big shocker, thats not how mental health works)
I took the test, and the imagination stuff was completely not me. My head is stuffed full of stories at any given moment - ever since I was little I've spent any free thought in daydreams. I have an overabundance of imagination, not less of it, and I do think it's because I'm autistic. It's more common in women (I'm afab), but a lot of people who are autistic report the same thing. And I still am interested and enjoy "numbers" stuff like math and coding, but stories are the far larger draw for my brain.
Buuuuuuuuut I still got a 34
I feel the same, though not particularly interested in numbers. People call me scatterbrained and idk why I do stuff sometimes, not sure exactly where I am as I got a score of 29
I found the imagination questions a bit strange, too. Imagination takes a lot of forms. I have a strong imagination, as long as it is all my own work. When reading a book, I don't get a picture of what the characters look like in my head unless there is a picture in the book or I have seen a film representation, no matter how much the character's appearance is described in the book. However, landscapes and locations I have no trouble visualising. When in 'my own little world' my imagination runs rampant but there are very rarely any people that I don't know well in there, if there are any people at all other than me. I am also a woman and I got marked at 47.
@@karensparkes1078 That's quite similar to my experience. I've always loved literature and writing my own stories, I find it easy to make up stories, and I'm good at visualising landscapes and places. At the same time, I really struggle with visualising people, especially faces. Faces in my head seem to be more of an abstract idea than something visual.
I wrote a novel. I learned how to read faces and how to have much more empathy than 95% of NTs. Scored 35.
This is also me, and I got a 36 haha
I scored 40, 33M here. Always had difficulties in social interaction, had 2 friends in elementary, 1 at midschool, 1 at highschool, bullied in the teenage. It is sad to realise that a lot of problems I have had in life stem from this, my girlfriend was the first to suggest that I was autistic. Today I came across Paul's videos and I saw myself in a lot of things he says, so I tried to take the test.
I've done this test several times before and it was scored borderline. Now that I have more self awareness I scored 34. It is quite different for females. It depends on whether one is self aware and have a healthy comparison with neurotypicals, and also culture plays a huge role. My society is extroverted and people oriented, so I've learned early in life how to mask. As I mature I realized I know more about my autistic/Asperger's traits but also, due to life experiences I have also developed and adapted many neurotypical traits and perceptions. However if I were to live freely not choosing to mask will be my choice.
I first took this test in my early twenties and scored quite high, I think my original score was 42. Over the years I took it a few other times and I remember generally scoring 36-38, just now I scored 33. Your comment describes how I feel exactly, like I've adapted over the years. I do think it's very different for females with aspergers than for males.
Yes. If I answered like I mask, I would probably not be even borderline either.
I'm female and scored 46.... I've very recently self-diagnosed. I saw this quiz in a Temple Grandin book, so thank you for discussing it on here too. Interesting. I'm not sure if I want to put myself through an official diagnosis process, but I sure wish someone had explained all this when I was a kid. I'm in my late 40s. There is so much to work through.
I’m so glad someone else scored 46, looking at all the comments I was like oh…hahah
I know that I have ADHD (I got diagnosed recently at mid 30), but I also resonate a lot with autistic treats. The whole alien and social awkwardness thing.
I got 25 in the Test. 🙃
This is incredibly validating for those who are just exploring self-identification of being an autistic person. I've taken it a few times and keep getting like 36-38. The first time I took it, I thought "oh I'll probably get something inconclusive - like a maybe, but probably not" - hoho was I wrong! Which made me doubt the validity of the test - but then non-autistic folks I know have taken it and gotten the like 10-20 range.
Finding this video helped reassure me that I'm on the right track with self-identification and self discovery. I'm autistic, and that's valid and great!
42/50. Ultimately I find hard to understand myself. When I was a kid, my teachers advised my parents that I was supposed to be an Aspie. I always had some strong interests, and was by far the best in the class, besides having difficulties to retain and learn knowledge (whats not in my focus vibe).
For me, life is always an exercise of "How do I get out of this situation?" and by trial and error, I keep learning how to behave and to talk properly at most common situations. It's like being an actor of your own life.
Yes. I feel like an actress. It is like I take on a character of sorts to get though.
I definitely have expressed feeling like an actress whenever I do absolutely anything in the public eye in the past. I stutter as well so, I've been masking two things for a very long time it seems
My score was literally 49/50 but all my family members say that I will just 'grow out of it' one day and that I'm just making up excuses for being 'shy' :')
I've wondered if this test depends on how well you know yourself and will give accurate answers. But I've also done the test several times, sometimes trying to err on the side of one way or the other but I still get a pretty consistent result (about 36 I think).
I think you’re right. If you’re fairly high functioning, I think it’s easy to fall into the trap of giving the answers you think you should, or you may be masking well enough to have fooled yourself into giving more normal answers than are accurate.
Yes, I had to go more by the 'real world' experiences I was getting from the workplace rather than how I've always personally thought of myself.
@@ChatMort69420 Trying untruthfully to seem normal, seems like a neuro-typical thing to do.
I wasn't sure of what answers to give to a few of them because sometimes I like social situations and sometimes I really don't so not sure which box to tick for the ambiguous answers. Also since getting diagnosed with Lyme disease in my late 20s, my answers would be really different compared to how I would've answered in my teens or early twenties so I wonder how much my illness would skew the answers. I think I should do the test more than once (ie one set of answers for how I was before Lyme destroyed my health and one set of answers for how I am now). Consistently though I come up as borderline autistic. I got 33 btw.
@@neelubird I got 33 too.
Your video about high masking autistic women brought me here. I'm 40, female and diagnosed with ADD, depression and anxiety. I don't have any previous knowledge about autism, and I really did question my doctor's judgment when she suggested that I'd be on the spectrum and put me on a waiting list for diagnosis. I did the AQ test just now. Felt pretty convinced I'd score around 20 or so. Scored 44. Already so many things make more sense.
My score: 36
I have been formally diagnosed, so I suppose I fall in the 80% part of those who are autstic that take the test.
Great video as always! Keep it up, Paul!
Scored a 32. As far as the social aspect of being able to read people and the room comes from hypervigilance with childhood cptsd. One learns to highly develop this skill for safety. I did a lot of quiet people watching to understand social interactions as well.
I scored a 43 out of 50. I was officially diagnosed several years ago in my late 20s or early 30s. A diagnosis was something I sought out after I learned more about autism, and it is relieving to know why I am the way I am, and that I am not broken, just different.
This was extremely helpful to breakdown the scores. Much better than any other explanation I've found. I appreciate the percents given to help compare likelihood. I have scored quite high, at 44, but wasn't sure if it was really "enough" to take the next step and speak with someone about a diagnosis, especially given that I am 30 years old and wouldn't someone have noticed by now? But finding out that it is extremely unlikely that a neurotypical individual would have a score like mine, in addition to having conversations with my husband about everything I have found out in the last few days while scouring the internet for explanations for what autism REALLY is and comparing that to how neurotypical people think, feel, etc., makes me feel like it is definitely worth the time and energy to speak to someone. Thank you for taking the time to make this video. It has been quite helpful.
I so far applaud your approach. I watched your part 2 first and was concerned. Having watched part one, I am comforted that you are presenting this topic appropriately.
I was given a previous diagnosis in 1972 under DSM II (pre Aspergers) that when reevaluated many years later became a very strong diagnosis of Aspergers. On the RAADS testing I scored 198 and on the AQ testing 46.
That out of the way, I am extremely concerned over the number of people on the spectrum (self diagnosed or formally diagnosed) that are making You Tube channels and presenting themselves as experts based only on the fact they are diagnosed. Unless formally trained, a person is only an expert on themselves. I think it should be mandatory for all such You Tube channels to open with a warning the information presented is for information only and not to be used for self diagnosis. Pretty much every channel I have checked into has people jumping in on the comments and proclaiming they are Autistic citing the criteria they just heard.
As you well know, Aspergers/ASD is something we are born with. To reach a full on appropriate diagnosis takes a very honest review of an entire lifetime. Yes, a test can give you a hint, but, it has been shown you can give the same test at different stages of a persons life and the results are different. A lot of diagnosis is "observation based" and self observations tend to very biased. A
"Self diagnosis" can be a helpful starting point, but it should be only a first step of a long journey. There are many disorders that share Aspergers/ASD and sometimes there is comorbidity issues as well. It has been statistically shown the mental health community gets it wrong around 40% of the time. So a self diagnosis error rate may be extremely high.
To my point, any You Tube channel or website that does not inform viewers/followers of due cautions and dangers should be considered a very dangerous channel/site. I know of several popular channels who love to present "You are Autistic if....." videos and also chop diagnostic criteria into tiny bullets for people to self diagnose. I have not seen such activity on your channel as of yet, so I offer you an initial thumbs up in hopes you are guiding people with intent they be better prepared to seek a formal diagnosis.
This is the first video I watched almost a year ago this week I was diagnosed. Thanks so much for the information it has helped today
I got a borderline result, around 30, when first did the AQ test about a decade ago. But I think it put me off seeking diagnosis, even though I got "probably autistic" (or whatever the wording was). Was put off because with many of the questions I felt almost exact opposite of many of the traits the test seemed to be linking to autism. I'm a female INTP (not great with routine) and hated maths in school but liked humanities, arts, and reading fiction.
I usually want to be able to write an explanation after each question on the AQ, e.g.
"Do people tell you you're rude" No, but I went for years barely saying anything, partly to avoid seeming rude.
"Are you fascinated by numbers / dates / etc" No, but I am fascinated by music theory. And a particular book for learning German was essential to my survival during a difficult period, as I could pace about in car park after work reading German dialogues to self to decompress, until peak hour traffic over and I felt safe to drive home.
"Do you get upset with interruptions to your routine?" No, I don't like routine / am terrible at setting up routines. But my life is chaos without lists.
I felt like the AQ test put me off a bit from seeking diagnosis a decade ago, but I probably wouldn't have been diagnosed then anyway, so maybe lucky I waited til 2017 when different presentations of autism starting to be more recognised.
I agree- there is a subset of the ASD population drawn to creative pursuits, humanity, writing, arts, etc, and NOT STEM subjects. And I find these humanities oriented people with ASD not to have any lack of imaginative thinking or play (when younger)- except for a tendency to become overly immersed in imagination. I would think that they could also have different traits related to executive function, social function, and personality. I wish these humanities oriented people with ASD would garner more attention. I think they have a harder time finding work than our autistic engineers and coders.
@@LAvengers-59 I find I am both. I am an artist, and also am very good with computers, including programming. That I guess also happens.
Music and math are actually quite related, as apparently in the same regions of one's brain.
@@LAvengers-59 I recognise myself in that... I wish I could have a diagnosis but I live in France and I am not too sure it's advanced enough in my country....
I got 42. I did this test about a month ago, I'm female btw. I recently found your channel and it has been very useful. I'm 31 and have been on the waiting list for a year so far. A few days ago I was finally given an appointment for 3 weeks time! Everything to do with autism makes me very overwhelmed and emotional, I don't know why. This video also had this effect on me. I will mention it in my first appointment like you advised :)
I scored 39. Thank you. You're very helpful.
I recall having many of these traits as a child, but I was so unhappy and felt so odd that I forcefully changed most of these habits....now I am below the score of 25.
I feel you sis, I got a 24 when I did the test while relating the answers to my current self but when I did it again while relating the answers to my child self I got a 38
@@nickeni3050 I'm so jealous that yall remember your childhoods like that. Depression really stole my memory, even though I'm not anymore I can barely remember anything from back then.
My sister told me recently that she thought I was an aspie as a kid, and I know that I've forced myself to become more socially competent/acceptable as I've grown up, so I'm guessing I would score higher if I could do a kid version (I score a 33 now).
@@booknerdjebbi5037 it's hard to not remember my childhood, not when all my trauma is deep rooted there
@@booknerdjebbi5037 I have always wondered if depression or something else made my memory as bad as it is!
@@booknerdjebbi5037I changed schools every 3 years so I got bullied at every one of them! I didn't have a great childhood too. i had an alright childhood when I was by myself or my best buddy.
I scored 44. Asperger sounds like my life 100 percent. Made several tests and an hour long diagnostic interview with my psychologist so far and she said it too that it seems that I really could have Asperger. Hope to get a professional diagnosis soon.
I scored 42 ... think I may be on the spectrum but am coming to terms with the fact that I may never have an official diagnosis. I am a 31 year old female. Good to learn about other people who have had a similar experience with things. Makes me feel not so alone :)
I scored 25, that was interesting, thank you for making this video. I can see how I could score differently on different days, according to how I feel that day. I've always felt different, I know I have anxiety & depression, but I was curious about this. Glad I found your page, very interesting content 🙂
Same!
Great video! I scored 43 and it began my journey of discovery
The AQ test was fundamental in me realizing I was on the spectrum. Depending on how I answer the questions (some I'm not certain how to answer, and some of my answers are different now than they would have been when I was younger) I score anywhere between 32 and 40. It was very eye-opening to learn most people score 21 or below.
Thank you for sharing' i have never heard of the AQ Test' just completed one and scored 28 which confirms what i had suspected and screamed about for a few years now to be heard and taken seriously' your right also when people recognise the traits in you and actually see it too' its such a huge relief' thank you once again
36/50 but had already diagnosed myself with asperger's two years ago. but very glad to see this information getting out more
27 out of 50. So i got some traits. I love it. This explains why i sometimes feel awkward around people.
It also helps to take the test more than once. Sometimes, questions on the test don't have apparent answers the first time. For example, for "I am fascinated by dates" -- I didn't think I was fascinated by dates upon first glance, but once I thought about it and paid attention to it, I actually am quite fascinated by dates, and numbers as well, and I tend to notice them more than others. So my score on the test ranged from 28-36, and averaged around 35 once I realized all the questions. I now have a diagnosis. I would say though, that the RAADS-R, Autismag, and RDOS tests are also useful and go into greater detail. I appreciate that those tests tend to allow for more than just a yes/no binary that the AQ test uses (despite having 4 options it only counts 2)
I spend countless hours looking up statistics on significant locations like cities, countries etc. I love beyond all measure the things like associated dates, populations, demographics, etc. I just can’t get enough some days. I also buy motoring magazines and more or less memorise the stats for each vehicle and series of each vehicle like Kw, engine capacity, top speeds, fuel economy etc. I do the same for jet airliners, trucks, and sometimes boats. Total waste of time but I can’t help myself. And don’t start me on flashlights. I have a collection of probably nearly 100 now, plus my knife and machete collection and all the stats that go with each metallurgical make up of particular blades and whatnot. I don’t watch tv in case you’re wondering where I find the time.
So the first time I took it, I got a 12. Which I was very confused about, until I realized that I had flipped the agree and disagree buttons. So, I actually got a 38, which makes so much more sense! LOL
Sitting at 32 points going "well what a great time to figure this out"
Same... whelp...
Quite surprised to have scored 39. I always just thought I am simply introverted and perhaps from another planet. Never liked being around people a lot and had panic disorder with agoraphobia for 15 years (much better now thankfully). This could explain a lot, worth exploring further. Thank you for sharing this information!
Sharing in hope of validating someone similar to me ✨ 27 y/o cis woman, scored 40 on this just last week and was stunned. I really thought I was just imagining that “different” feeling all these years. Parent was told I was likely autistic (when I was a child with VERY obvious traits, in retrospect) and it was taken, or probably even delivered (true to Oklahoma style), as an insult... so I never got any help. Just punishment for being simultaneously too shy and too outspoken, “pretending” to be less intelligent while also being “smart mouthed,” and so forth. Y’all probably know that song and dance, so to speak. 🤦🏽♀️ I’ve been selling my art works since high school, was always engaged with musical performance, have always had high levels of achievement in mathematics (particularly statistics), and have always been a natural deep-dive-oriented historian/philosopher. Frequently called the “human encyclopedia” and have always felt alien, like an observer here to figure out humanity. Sucked at school and sucked even more at higher education but traditional southern family still poke fun at me for being “an academic” anyway. Just published my first book recently. No formal ASD diagnosis (and while open to it, not really looking to get one...no real benefits for me at this age in the US at my level of support needs, not to mention possible risks in healthcare provision, job security, etc.), but I am comorbidly diagnosed with PTSD & MDD. Hope this can help validate someone with similar experience here. Thank you so so so so so much for these videos, Paul. They’re helping me understand myself better and better in ways I didn’t even know how to verbalize that I needed ❤️
I got 43 out of 50. I tried to answer the questions on gut extinct and tried not to over think it, but sometimes hard not to.
I am almost 17 and have never been diagnosed with any neurological disorder and just recently noticed that I may be autistic. My family denies it and I was raised to be "normal", but I realize I have been hiding some of the traits that I now believe are symptoms. I scored a 45 on this test, which is higher than most who have already been diagnosed. I'm hoping this can help on my journey to an official diagnosis
As a kid i kept hearing learning difficulties. So today i took a autism quotient test after seeing it mentioned here and i scored 48 out of 50. Im 56 and thats shocked me. Paul thank you x
I got a 25 on the test, I have depression and anxiety. When I was growing up I didn't feel like an alien, I felt I was the only "normal" one and everyone else was weird. I didn't know my brother or best friend were autistic til I was an adult.
This made me laugh because SAME😂😂😂
I started researching autism a couple of years ago suspecting it for myself. After reading so much about it, it occurred to me that my oldest sibling might be autistic. I asked my Dad two weeks ago and he confirmed it. That sibling’s son is also autistic. I told my dad I too could be on the spectrum, and he said “no way! but you talk way too much” (my sibling and nephew are the opposite). It’s a spectrum, Dad!
I thought I was the only normal one! Nice to meet you 🤗
This was helpful. I received 43, and I did the questions quickly. I decided it's worth investigating.
I got 40 but I was unsure about many answers. I wish I could have answered "Well, it depends on the situation and if this and that... ... ..." I've been diagnosed with depression, social anxiety, panic disorder and agoraphobia, but it all feels kind of wrong. Or rather almost right, but as if some crucial point was misunderstood. I talked to my therapist about autism but she doesn't see me in the spectrum. I'm not sure though. She is very competent and a lovely person, but I can't always tell her what's going on in my head, so how would she know how I think and feel? It's all really confusing. Thanks for your videos, they are so insigtful!
Dude, SAME. (Though my diagnosis also includes OCD) It's so frustrating when you're trying to describe your thought processes and you just KNOW you aren't expressing them effectively. It's also confusing because a lot of the autistic traits I've found in myself might be attributed to the things I've been diagnosed with. Possibly excepting the OCD, because a lot of the behaviors I thought were symptoms of that are apparently common forms of 'stimming' in women, and I was doing those long before the anxiety issues cropped up.
@@AnimeFiend176 I wish it just wouldn't matter which diagnosis is "correct". That we could just be the way we are and everyone would be fine with it. And that people would simply believe us that we do our very best to act like "normal". If we can't do something the way society expects us to, it shouldn't matter why. It should just be ok.
Thank you so much for this video. I have been wondering for years if I am autistic, but I never dove into it all. I took the Autism Quotient Test last week and scored a 35 because of this video. I started reading up on it and everything makes so much sense. Thank you for helping me learn something about myself. I knew something was up! Seriously, thank you.
I got 29, and it looks like this is exactly where the two graphs meet.
45 years old here. I got 29 on the test, twice. Initially I thought I had high chance to be on the spectrum... but after hearing your vid, I'm not sure anymore. Yes, I have a LOT of quirks that would classify as symptoms, and in other videos I found I could relate to most of what you say.
Maybe I should forget about this, and forget I'm on the spectrum. Other tests show me that I had a high chance... but I rely more on this test, and if the score is inconclusive, then I'll leave it at that. If I'm autistic, I'm not sure if I can handle it, at least now. I have a snag, a quite bothersome feel that I am in the spectrum. If one day I have enough money and time, because the official diagnosis is expensive, and slow, I'll try again.
Sigh... one of the reasons that I might be on the spectrum is precisely my hate of changes. I prefer to stay where I am, without knowing. It feels a little more comfortable. Even though something in the back of my head tells me I'm there.
EDIT: Sigh... I took the RAADS-R test and got a score of 163, with, again, a very strong probability of autism. Geez, I guess I can't put this behind, eh? And again, I'm back to the point that I may be on the spectrum. Well, I guess it's time for to research a bit.
I feel the opposite way of thinking. I know that I have it and hate being in limbo by saying that I am autistic and ADHD undiagnosed. I want to know for sure by a doctor. Then I can move forward with an actual diagnosis and understand why I am the way that I am. I hate change as well among many of the other symptoms!
The first time I was searching If I have autism or not I came across this test and I scored 41 and I was like ''Oh now that's something huh...well.. I guess it is time to do more research'' and I did get a diagnosis but I think this test is a bit exclusive with not so obvious symptoms but like Paul said it's a good starting point :)
Score of 35 here! I’m 42 years old and beginning this new journey. So grateful for your channel and information 🤍
I scored 47/50, maybe I need to investigate this further. I've just put these traits down to learnt behaviour from a tricky childhood.
I scored 42. My whole life is making a lot more sense now.
I've always had this feeling that I was different. At one point as a kid I actually fully believed I had been stolen as a baby, and that i wasn't really my parents child, despite all the evidence that I was. I've always wondered if perhaps I were autistic. Now I'm 23, and I want to be tested for it. It's always been in the back of my mind anyhow, and my entire life I've been told by my mom that I was just stubborn and that me and my brother just have severe adhd and that just explains it all, even though the doctors have always disagreed. I scored 44 on the test. I sent it to my brother, and he scored 48. I've tried explaining to my husband how different my way of thinking is to his, and why I think I may have it, but he just thinks I'm crazy. But this has made me feel better, and now I feel like I have a starting point to bring to the doctor. So thank you for sharing this.
I got a 45. I have always felt different and for a while I have been thinking that perhaps I am on the spectrum. I was thinking of getting a formal diagnosis and this video has given me the confidence to seek one. It is nice also to find that there are people out there in the world who have similar experiences, and you are not some kind of alien for feeling different.
Both my husband and myself took that test. I glanced over his answers and I would have assumed he would have answered certain questions differently.
A bit late of a response.
I had my significant other take my ADD/ADHD test since she knew me a bit better than I did for some questions. For instance, I like to go out and meet new people, but have difficulties maintaining friendships over time. However, when it came to going out and going to parties, I'd just agree that I like to go out, but she'd put that I would strong disagree (hated it). Mainly because I would actually put up a fight the day of if it was spontaneous. Then I realized, I need to know in advance if were going to be with friends or extended family (not immediate, I love and have no issues with my parents or sister) otherwise I became very forgetful and my mood would destabilize. Then I bought a Nintendo Switch Lite and realized whenever I was out with large group of friends or extended family. I had my Game Gear or Game Boy to help me cope with the spontaneity. Without her, or some serious self reflection, I wouldn't have seen that and would have undoubtedly scored lower on the AQ. I'll be inquiring with my Psychiatrist. I haven't been officially diagnosed with ADD, but she treats me like I have it, it might be a bit more than that now.
I scored a 34, though I'm afraid I'm a bit higher because some of the questions confused me.
So it's possible he wasn't aware like I wasn't. Because I try to be social, it's just really tough.
@@SinisterGamingDev that's a possibility. The one that especially threw me for a loop for him was something like I find it easy to play pretend with children. He agreed, we have been together 8 years I have never once seen him pretend with a child. We have a son and he has never played pretend with him or any kid or any baby. I asked him if he has ever/can play pretend, he said yes. I would have strongly disagreed.
I received a 40 on the Autism Quotient Test, a score that surprised me utterly as I thought my answers "normal" by societal standards. But funnily enough, I have mentioned several autistic behaviours in which I actively engage to my therapist, but I never once went beyond the behaviour to question the reason for the existence or presence of so many autistic or autistic-like characteristics in me until recently, thus my being here in the first place. I have no desire to self-diagnose and I am still unsure of the result. Nevertheless, thank you for providing such a fascinating and informative channel.
I got 25/50 anytime I do these tests I'm always right on the edge :p
Thank you for your video. I am 42, not diagnosed but just got 33 on the AQ test. I have struggled with simple things my whole life and feel like a whole other world has opened itself up.
Well im liable to think that for myself the test may be quite reliable. I scored a 45. I did take the test like 15 times, that and the RAAD-R test and the EQ, Facial Recognition test, Sensory Perception Quotient, and others. And I tend to believe its enough to be an official diagnosis. I have no idea what else a professional would be able to do different. I just think its really accurate for determining if you do, not so much for determining if you dont
Paul, YOU are certainly helpful. I don't know where I am or what's going on yet, but you've opened a new window for me...at 55. I've been in and out of depression and bipolar treatment my entire adult life. Now I'm realizing that it's mostly ADHD (probable certainty) and possibly some mild Autism/Asperger's in the mix (32 on the AQ test, plus other things you've said on various videos resonate with me, but in other ways I'm decidedly neuro-typical). Depression is merely a symptom of my failing to deal. Thanks for being an excellent tour guide, this next journey is just beginning for me as I pull this thread.
I scored a 31 (Female)
Though really, I've been convinced I was on the spectrum for a really long time now, and I've actually put in a lot of effort into working out my social awkwardness, so like, had I taken this test just a few years ago, I'd most definitely have scored higher...
Completely same situation. but i scored 32
This is precisely my situation as well. With the exact score of 31.
Huh... Got a 34. Combining that with the fact that I understand and identify with most of the stories that outspoken autistic people tell about their behavior. This seems like compelling evidence.