Unsure of what to do?

Nevs said:

Hello, 

My names Nev, I am 26 years old and I am currently at a bit of a loss with how to proceed in certain aspects of my life. 

Very vague! I know! I haven't been diagnosed, however I have had multiple people who are very close to me suggest that I could be on the spectrum and surprisingly thats a very confusing thing as I now try to educate myself on the subject. 

My biggest question is just 'how do you know?'

Hi Nev ~ well in my case I was sort of like yourself told I was on the spectrum, and that I should do the Autistic (Spectrum) Quotient 50 question test (more generally known as AQ50 test) with a score of 32 or more indicating that an Autistic assessment could be worthwhile. The streamlined version of AQ50 test is as suggested above the AQ10 test, with a score of 8 or more being the indicative total on that one.

Here follows a listing of downloadable tests regarding autism:

Cambridge University ~ Autism Research Center ~ Downloadable Tests

At least perhaps go for the AQ10 and the EQ10 ~ to start with, and if you get the indicative 8 or more ~ maybe do all the tests that apply to you as an Adult, and include them in your referral request ~ which can be assisted by way of an information pack that can be ordered by leaving your name and address at any time of the day or night via the NHS telephone helpline: 0808 800 4104

Nevs said:

I also thought I was particularly ok in social scenarios as I've worked in bars most of my adult life and locals and I usually get along really well.

I did the same in respect of pubs, hotels and restaurants, where I got into management starting from kitchen porter (dishwasher) and moving up through waiting and bar work ~ with the usual stress of social interactions being streamlined out by the structural transactions of getting people fed, drunk and accommodated as occludes and prevents multitudes of social sins that would normally otherwise occur.

Nevs said:

I've also had it pointed out by my partner though that I can be great... As long as I can be bothered or if my moods in the right place. 

Emotions in general are a particular hard spot as we differ in our approach to things. I tend to look at most events practically and logically and if there's no benefit to feeling a certain way about something I wont.

Hey Deepthought. 

I just took the recommended self-tests. I won't lie, I did need a bit of help from my significant other. Some of the questions specifically on the EQ-10 test were frustratingly vague on a personal ability to answer them factually. 

The same can be said for the AQ-10, there was things I percieved in day to day life that the person who has stuck with me for four years definitely did not agree with and had multiple examples as to why. 

All of that said! The scores were as follows : -

AQ-10 = 7

EQ-10 = 4

I'll admit that on the EQ-10 I found it difficult to find a difinitive answer as to what any score would mean.

( The full tests seem a little more streamlined and if I have the time, I'll give them a try too.) 

Hey Deepthought. 

I just took the recommended self-tests. I won't lie, I did need a bit of help from my significant other. Some of the questions specifically on the EQ-10 test were frustratingly vague on a personal ability to answer them factually. 

The same can be said for the AQ-10, there was things I percieved in day to day life that the person who has stuck with me for four years definitely did not agree with and had multiple examples as to why. 

All of that said! The scores were as follows : -

AQ-10 = 7

EQ-10 = 4

I'll admit that on the EQ-10 I found it difficult to find a difinitive answer as to what any score would mean.

( The full tests seem a little more streamlined and if I have the time, I'll give them a try too.) 

Nevs said:

Hey Deepthought.

Hey Nev! :-)

Nevs said:

I just took the recommended self-tests. I won't lie, I did need a bit of help from my significant other. Some of the questions specifically on the EQ-10 test were frustratingly vague on a personal ability to answer them factually. 

The same can be said for the AQ-10, there was things I percieved in day to day life that the person who has stuck with me for four years definitely did not agree with and had multiple examples as to why. 

First time I did the AQ50 test I scored 32 ~ so enough to think about seeking a referral, but I could not answer some of the questions due to the vague factor thing, so I sought assistance from a friend who is a retired psychologist ~ and ended up getting 43 on the conservative side of the equation.

The thing with differing opinions about our psychological behaviour and physiological behaviourisms is in one respect like seeing only one side of an object ~ with some people for instance only seeing a square of a cuboid and another a rectangle, even if they are not the same square or the same rectangle, with the most important thing to keep in mind is that one side does not account for all in either case but that both perspectives are as such correct observations none the less ~ particular as people's internal character can be somewhat different to their external character, or their re-characterisations of which more usually ~ as depends upon where they are and who they are with, such as in private with people known intimately or romantically, and in public with people known socially or professionally.

That being stated ~ I always reserve the right or is it left to at least be wrong. Some people can for instance know us better than we know ourselves (such as my Autistic friend regarding Autism), or else they can be as much ignorant about ourselves as we can be ~ to a small degree at the very least.

Nevs said:

All of that said! The scores were as follows : -

AQ-10 = 7

EQ-10 = 4

I'll admit that on the EQ-10 I found it difficult to find a difinitive answer as to what any score would mean.

Well it seems according to AQ10 test that I was mistaken about an 8 or above score being indicative of a referral being worthwhile, as in the explanation about scoring it states "If the individual scores 6 or above, consider referring them for a specialist diagnostic assessment."

As for Empathy Quotient test scoring I have no clue myself about that one as I have no experience with that test myself, and I can find no explanation for the scoring either ~ so with the EQ test having been discussed numerous times on this website of forums, maybe someone experienced with that test can explain it.

Nevs said:

( The full tests seem a little more streamlined and if I have the time, I'll give them a try too.) 

I definitely recommend the AQ50 what with having done it myself, and having discussed the problems with the vague nature of some of the questions.

One of the vagaries I particularly recall was "I would rather go to a Library than a Party." which I thought depended on whether that was a library of old with books found on shelves (joy) rather than more these days involving a computer (groan) ~ or else an intellectual party with mellow music and fascinating discussions with specialists about their interests (joy), or one with loud music and intense dancing (once in a while yes but often no). The actual question involved though libraries as being socially calm and quiet and parties as being socially intense and loud. 

Going though the full test versions I think is wiser as they can help one to better understand and comprehend one's finer character traits, as might otherwise get missed. The shorter versions are more for the very limited time frames that General Practitioners use, and the longer versions for the assessors on the diagnostic teams ~ so going through the longer ones that apply to you would be helpful for the assessors if you decide to and your doctor agrees with referring you.

Deepthought gave a fantastically thorough reply there - so much so that I don't think that I can add anything extra but I thought that I'd throw a message on here anyway and second most of what Deepthought said.

Since your results are indicative of some autistic traits, I would go ahead and do the AQ50, possibly with your partner helping you and see if that sheds any more light on your traits. If you meet the threshold then it may be worth speaking to your GP.