Published on 12, July, 2020
I have just been emailed this questionnaire to fill in on in relation to a student that I teach. If you have a moment... read the questions. Would you score yourself 20/27 or more?
The thread subject relates to Question 14!!
Appendix II The High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ)
(A score over 20 would indicate that the patient should be referred for detailed assessment).
This child stands out from other children of his/her age in the following way;
1 is old-fashioned or precocious
No
Somewhat
Yes
2 is regarded as an ‘eccentric professor’ by the other children
3 lives somewhat in a world of his/her own with restricted idiosyncratic intellectual interests
4 accumulates facts on certain subjects (good rote memory) but does not really understand the meaning
5 has a literal understanding of ambiguous and metaphoric language
6 has a deviant style of communication with a formal, fussy, ‘old-fashioned’ or ‘robot- like’ language
7 invents idiosyncratic words and expressions
8 has a different voice or speech
9 expresses sounds involuntarily; clears throat, grunts, smacks, cries or screams
10 is surprisingly good at some things and surprisingly poor at others
11 uses language freely but fails to make adjustments to fit social contexts or the needs of different listeners
12 lacks empathy
13 makes naïve and embarrassing remarks
14 has a deviant style of gaze
15 wishes to be sociable but fails to make relationships with peers
16 can be with other children but only on his/her terms
17 lacks best friend
18 lacks common sense
19 is poor at games; no idea of cooperating in a team, scores ‘own goals’
20 has clumsy, ill coordinated, ungainly, awkward movements or gestures
21 has involuntary face or body movements
22 has difficulties in completing simple daily activities because of compulsory repetition of certain actions or thoughts
23 has special routines; insists on no change
24 shows idiosyncratic attachment to objects
25 is bullied by other children
26 has markedly unusual facial expression
27 has markedly unusual posture
Just call me Mr. A. S. D. Stereotype - 23/27 (being a little broad with interpretation)!
"Deviant Gaze" though! What an absolutely terrible choice of words! I can't decide whether it sounds more like a peeping Tom or an 80's hard-core punk band! (bagsies on the band name - Google couldn't find it!)
I they mean a 1000-yard stare in no particular direction, or eyes to the floor when moving around, then I am certainly "deviant". When I'm trying really hard to listen to what someone's saying, I gradually block out all other senses aside from hearing, as it's just a lot easier to process their words that way. Unfortunately this means that the more I'm paying attention, the less I look like I'm paying attention. I try to remember to go "mmm" fairly regularly, but I often forget that too. People quite often seem a bit startled by how much I've taken in when I finally find something to say.
It's only since everyone started walking around with a video camera in their pocket that I've realised quite how odd my posture, movements, and expressions can look. They are nothing like what I imagine from inside my head. I always knew that I had pretty bad proprioception, but I was very taken aback to see footage of myself for the first time a few years ago - it explains a lot of problems I used to have with gymnastics/sport at school and formation marching in BB. In a mirror, I just don't notice it at all, but I have a bit of an issue with mirrors generally (besides my questionable aesthetics, that is!); they do something rather odd to my spacial perception and mind-body connection (I find this amusing rather than frightening!)
I hear ya! And I can totally relate...