Autism, or just plain weird?

Thank you Kitsun

I am going to try and gather some more information and and build up a case to give to the GP. At least then, I will know either way if I have Asperger's or not before possibly wasting their time going down the diagnosis route.

That's interesting about the person you know who is NT scoring 6/29. I may take the test a few times to check mine is pretty much the same score each time I take it.

I think you're right - I'm sure my GP was doing an internal eye roll! 

Thank you - I hope you get the answers you're looking for too.

No Worries! 

Luckily I already 'knew' that I had Asperger's before asking my GP to refer me so I wasn't about to be fobbed off! 

I score 46/47 on the AQ50 (I've done it several times), though I didn't take the score with me to the GP appointment. In fact I was never asked to do the AQ10 or AQ50 by my GP, I just happened to find the AQ50 while doing my own research and completed it for my own information.

However, a score of 29 would still appear to warrant further investigation. For the record I know of an NT who did the AQ50 just out of interest and scored 6 so 29 is still quite high!  

If you have concerns that a score of 4/10 on the AQ10 might not be enough for your GP to refer you for assessment then maybe look at gathering other supporting evidence such as autistic traits observed in you by friends or family; results of other autism related questionnaires; etc.

Thanks Deepthought I will give them a call although my AQ10 score being 4 has made me second guess everything now. It's all so confusing.

Hi Kitsun, thank you! 

I really feel for you having to fight your corner to be heard. You just end up feeling so unsure of your own thoughts when the GP is so dismissive :( I'm so glad you were able to say hang on a minute...these people back me up with this.

 I am really unsure as I only scored 29/50 on the AQ50 test:

The results from the AQ50 were: 

Your score was 29 out of a possible 50.

Scores in the 26-32 range indicate some Autistic traits (Aspergers Syndrome).

AQ10 appears to be 4/10 which doesn't qualify for GP referral. Do you know if the AQ10 the end of the line when it comes to progressing with a diagnosis?

Thanks for your post DuckBread. Sounds like your GP had no clue whatsoever :(  I feel that when GP's find out you have mental health conditions they almost roll their eyes internally and the whole focus goes on that rather than the issue you were going in for.

I'm glad that the mental health nurse was so supportive and I hope you get the answers you are looking for. 

Thanks for your reply, I will have a look over it :)

Oh the RBQ2A?

Here's the thread I started on it which has all the links: https://community.autism.org.uk/f/adults-on-the-autistic-spectrum/15724/the-rbq2a---standardised-self-report-for-restricted-and-repetitive-behaviours-in-adults/ 

It's not in the list at autismresearchcentre.com and my assessors at ADOS didn't react as if they had heard of it when I told them about it.

This is crying out to be turned into an online tick-box quiz with automated scoring ............. 

Kitsune said:

The bottom line is you need to give them enough evidence that they can't refuse to refer you! As already advised, doing the AQ50 is a good starting point; there's also a EQ score and there was one for restricted and repetitive behaviours @I'm done with Christmas Cards  please advise where you found this?

Here's a full range of tests from the the Autism Research Center that would probably be worth [Bookmarking] possibly:

https://www.autismresearchcentre.com/arc_tests

It is just a case of sorting through which ones are applicable age-wise, and using them as evidence for making a referral.

Also, if you want Mobbles, you can get an information pack about getting diagnosed with ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder), by telephoning the NAS (National Autistic Association) at any time on their helpline: 0808 800 4104, listen to the recorded instruction about getting an information pack ~ which involves pressing number one on your keypad, then asking for an adult diagnosis information pack, and leaving your name and or your address. It can take about a week or two to arrive, depending on demand and availability, and it will help guide you through the process of getting diagnosed, i.e. what you need to do and your legal rights and all that.

If any of that helps possibly?

Hi, welcome to the forum,

It's a shame that your GP wasn't a bit more helpful! Mine was a bit useless too when I went to see him to ask for a referral for assessment. He asked why I thought I had Aspergers, so I said because I'm like...reeled off list of ICD-10 criteria for Aspergers. To which he answered 'I can see what you're saying but I don't really know why you think you have Aspergers' (me in my head: Seriously?!!! Maybe because I've just told you quite clearly that I fulfil the diagnostic criteria for Aspergers!) So I had to push the issue and tell him that 3 healthcare and education professionals including myself agreed with my belief that I did indeed have Aspergers. Then and only then did he agree to refer me for assessment. 

The bottom line is you need to give them enough evidence that they can't refuse to refer you! As already advised, doing the AQ50 is a good starting point; there's also a EQ score and there was one for restricted and repetitive behaviours @I'm done with Christmas Cards  please advise where you found this? It might also be worth asking family and friends for their opinion on behaviours in line with ASD then go back to your GP with the evidence that you have collected. It is not too late to pursue a diagnosis. I was diagnosed last year at the age of 37. It's never too late. If getting that diagnosis would hep you then go for it!

My GP was not interested at all; I don't think he knew much about autism (he even told me there were no autism assessment services in my area, which turned out to be false - there was one 15 minutes away!). He told me to self-refer for my mental health conditions (OCD and anxiety), so I explained my suspicions about autism to the mental health assessor (as well as how I thought my anxiety was exacerbated by some of my autistic traits, such as sensory issues), and he was so understanding. The mental health nurse referred me for an autism assessment (after a detailed conversation to help him build-up a case for my referral) and referred me for anxiety/OCD therapy in the meantime.

If you're really keen to find out, I'd press further. It might just be a case of finding the right medical professional to help you.

I literally only just read the page for this, so I am no expert, but some of the traits you list sounds like PDA:

https://www.autism.org.uk/about/what-is/pda.aspx

Hi, thank you for your reply. The GP removed the scoring section from the AQ form. 

The results from the AQ50 were: 

Your score was 29 out of a possible 50.

Scores in the 26-32 range indicate some Autistic traits (Aspergers Syndrome).

I only wrote the bullets very quickly at work and he took them off so he could scan them but they were something like this:

I would describe myself as being/doing:

• Over-sensitive to criticism/comments
• Vulnerable
• Naive
• 10 years younger emotionally
• Very creative
• Very uncomfortable to make eye contact
• Unable to make small talk
• Intense/obsessive interests in one area at a time e.g a specific band
• Being labelled Weird/Eccentric/Different etc by people
• Smoothing my fingers through hair constantly for comfort.
• Find making/maintaining friends very difficult
• Always felt different to others to the point of feeling " alien"
• Mimicking friends/people of TV/Copying clothes way of speaking if someone was deemed to be popular or well liked

The list did go on but that was a chunk of it.

Have you worked out your score on the AQ10? The scoring method is on the form if I remember correctly. Also it would be well worth doing the AQ50 which you can find online (more questions = a bit less "granular" & if you don't understand the odd question there it will have less impact).

If you like, you could share your bullet list - lots of people here will come back & say if they are similar........