Published on 12, July, 2020
I've finally got my report from my NHS assessment.
It's shorter than I expected. Just a 2 page letter.
However, it does contain my score which was 175 (above the diagnostic threshold of 65).
I found this site which explains the score and gives some averages (+ a link to take the test).
https://embrace-autism.com/raads-r/
So, I was a little above the average for an autistic female.
If anyone would like to share their scores, it would be interesting.
A quote below from my letter:
'completed the RAADS-R: the RITVO Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale –revised: this 80-item diagnostic interview consists of questions designed for individuals with averageIQ and above. This is a population with mild or subclinical ASD and these individuals often escapediagnosis. The RAADS-R was specifically designed to capture that population. Any score of 65 orabove indicates a high likelihood of Autism Spectrum Disorder, provided the clinical presentation isconvergent with this diagnosis'
I just followed the link you provided and even just based on the 1st 3 questions I do not think much of this test! Whoever wrote it seems to me to have little understanding of how autistic people think. One of my own traits which I read is shared with many spectrum folks is that I really struggle with multiple choice questions when none of the answers fit very well. I prefer some kind of scale like never sometimes often always or better still marks out of ten on such a scale, although I do find even that very hard to quantify. But this with questions like I often x and the answers being either yes or no but for now and as a child! How am I supposed to answer yes or no when the answer is sometimes or somewhat, not all the time but not none of it and it depends on the situation?! I don't even want to try this test it is making me feel tense! And the very first question is about empathy - has whoever wrote it never heard of autistic empaths who are so empathic it is a problem?
Part of me is still curious to take the test and see what I score, but not right now as I am tired and I know it will annoy me. I did just follow a couple of the links to other threads about this test and they tend to agree with my initial reaction that this is a difficult test to answer.
I have an idea for a test with such annoying multiple choice answers that are impossible to do accurately, but with a space to write comments on each question. The score is irrelevant but if someone doesn't bother to write much they are probably NT and if they write something for most questions they are probably on the spectrum!
AuTriker said:One of my own traits which I read is shared with many spectrum folks is that I really struggle with multiple choice questions when none of the answers fit very well.
I do too and in the surgery to get the referral I had 2 multiple choice tests and the GP with obviously no understanding of autism read them aloud rather than letting me read them
AuTriker said:How long was your appointment?
I actually don't know but much longer than the 10 minutes normally allotted.
I did feel the GP was in a hurry though to get me out (as they always are in my experience).
I would expect someone doing that with me would soon become just as frustrated as me with the process because I would be verbalising all my thoughts and trying to get them to help me pick one and it would take ages! How long was your appointment?
I did read further down the page you linked and the author expressed many of my issues with it. Also the questions were all there at the end so I read quickly through those and even just counting up the ones I would get 3 points on without any thought easily gave me score in the autism range. I am sure going back through and spending a bit more time on the others would make my score higher. So I guess as a blunt instrument it probably does its job even if it is a frustrating process.