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how reliable is the AQ 50 test?

rp1981

Hi,

I'm a new member here. I've long though I might be autistic based on how I acted and behaved in certain situations. When I was a teenager being treated for depression I did suggest it as a possibility to my doctor but he didn't seem interested in following that route as a possible explanation/cause for some of my other problems/depression.

I've done the AQ50 today having had someone suggest it to me and I got a score of 49/50. so I fall well within the strong autistic traits category. If I were to go to my doctor would something like that be viewed as a useful starting point for a diagnosis or would it be looked upon with sceptism. I'll sound cynical now but it looks to me to be almost to high a score and perhaps my doctor might think I was giving answers that would lead to a diagnosis rather than answering them honestly which is what I did.

Any advice/help would be appreciated

RP

Parents

  • The test score is an indication.  I also scored maximum points when doing the test.

    You should bear in mind that there are only two scores for each question.  The 'slightly' scores the same as the 'definitely' so with the binary nature it is quite possible that the score can be biased to the extremes in certain individuals.  It is not really a test of how you may be affected in your abilities, more a test of how autism affects your behaviour.

    If you are worried about the extreme nature of the score, just mention you scored in the forties, no need to be more specific.  You could also do the test on several occasions over a couple of weeks, you may find it varies a bit.  You could also ask someone else to do the test as if they were you to find how others perceive you, this won't show masking effects but others who know you well will definitely realise a lot of behavioural traits you have.  

    Above all though, you will either have to pluck up the courage to give what evidence you can, or keep worrying about what might have been.

Reply

  • The test score is an indication.  I also scored maximum points when doing the test.

    You should bear in mind that there are only two scores for each question.  The 'slightly' scores the same as the 'definitely' so with the binary nature it is quite possible that the score can be biased to the extremes in certain individuals.  It is not really a test of how you may be affected in your abilities, more a test of how autism affects your behaviour.

    If you are worried about the extreme nature of the score, just mention you scored in the forties, no need to be more specific.  You could also do the test on several occasions over a couple of weeks, you may find it varies a bit.  You could also ask someone else to do the test as if they were you to find how others perceive you, this won't show masking effects but others who know you well will definitely realise a lot of behavioural traits you have.  

    Above all though, you will either have to pluck up the courage to give what evidence you can, or keep worrying about what might have been.

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