While reading this book I decided to go online and take the test to see if I have Asperger's since so many of the traits described in the book seemed to fit my personality. I scored a 31. A 32 is needed to be considered on the Asperger's Autism spectrum. I'm considered to be borderline. There are days I can really relate to the people in this book. To have a more accurate diagnosis I would have to go see a medical professional that knows more about Asperger's Syndrome, however I doubt I'll be doing that as I don't have Asperger's; only a few of the traits.
I have my quirks. I'll go around at night, several times before bed, making sure all the doors are locked even though my spouse has assured me they are locked. I can't sleep at night unless the bedding is just a certain way. Maybe it is just a simple case of OCD.
I have trouble looking in the eye those with authority though I really try. Sometimes I succeed but then I feel more like I'm an actress that is just faking her way through a role.
I wring my hands when I'm anxious. I never even though of it much until I read more about it. If I'm not wringing my hands I'm doing something with my hands like folding and unfolding and refolding a clean tissue until there isn't much left of it. To me it is just one of my quirks; a nervous habit.
I can go for days working on projects and just ignore life around me. Which truth be known isn't really a bad thing as I'm able to get quite a bit accomplished if I'm just left alone to my own devices. However, I can forget to take my medicine and eat. While my husband was deployed to Iraq I was alone. I finished a one year length college level course, non-credited, in about four months. I wouldn't say I was bored living alone but rather dedicated to my studies.
One of the things Asperger's people seem to dislike is being taken away from their routine. I have a routine that I like to stick to and I don't want to deviate from it if possible even when traveling. For me that isn't weird because I have physical limitations and eating at certain times and resting becomes necessary. I need a routine because I will forget to take medicine, sleep, eat, and go to appointments. Forgetfulness for me is part of having Fibromyalgia.
Click here for the Asperger's test.
The official criteria for Aspergers Syndrome is an AQ score greater than 32.
According to statistical analysis, 26 – 31 Is a borderline score. 86% of people with this score can be correctly classified as having Aspergers Syndrome.
This post was inspired by Raising Cubby: A Father and Son’s Adventures with Asperger’s, Trains, Tractors, and High Explosives by John Elder Robison. Parenting is a challenging job, but what challenges does a parent with Asperger's face? Join From Left to Write on March 12 as we discuss Raising Cubby. As a member, I received a copy of the book for review purposes.
My son has been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. He was given 4 tests to confirm the diagnosis. The one test you took is for screening purposes. My son scored a 32 after all the tests were averaged out. Having Asperger's isn't about the cluster of behaviors that you do, it is about the thousands of things that my son CAN'T do. For example, when reading a book and you ask him where the main character in the story is, he points at the book. He can't carry on a 'normal' conversation, he speaks in tangents about topics that interest him, although there are ways...it is just very difficult. He has a para professional with him in class to help him focus. He only wears the color orange etc etc etc. And he only scored a 32!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting Chick. I hope that the school system doesn't fail him like it does many who have Asperger's Syndrome. I really had no clue about this particular syndrome, only knew the name, before I read the book. I do feel for you son. While in college I had to take my exams in special rooms because I had concentration issues and often wouldn't understand the questions on the exam but would have the answers if I were asked the question verbally. I blame my concentration issues on my Fibromyaliga.
DeleteI'm always looking for good, true life reads. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI like them too.
DeleteRebecca, what do you think you'll do, now that you have the results of the quiz? Will you reevaluate the traits you mentioned in your post?
ReplyDeleteIf I have time I'll take the Cambridge tests which are more than just screening. But right now I have so much on my plate that I doubt I'll get to them for a while. If I take those tests and they show anything that needs to be addressed by a professional I'll make an appointment.
DeleteIt's funny how we can find character traits in ourselves that could put us on the spectrum! I do that to myself, too. I find tests like the one you posted frustrating, though, because I feel too limited in the answer choices!
ReplyDeleteI try to not read anything into the tests. I just took it for fun. My husband also took it too. His score was lower.
DeleteAge has made me realize that I probably deal with some ADD issues. It's seems like a lot of people figure out what their quirks mean as we age.
ReplyDeleteI was diagnosed with ADD five years ago. I laughed when told I had it. Like it is going to make a hill of beans of difference to my life now. Not laughing at you mind you but just saying for me that is.
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