Hello and AQ Test

Hello, I’m new here. About a year ago I took the AQ test and scored in the 40’s. I’ve taken it several times since and have gotten lower score but I think the very lowest was 33. What are the chances I’m on the spectrum? The last being 37.  I’m 62yrs old so there is no answer that is going to rock my world as I’m very set in my ways. The cost of a formal diagnosis is more than I’d care to pay. Any sincere input would be appreciated. Thanks, John

Parents
  • I’m also left handed and colorblind. I just read the L handed might be an autism clue? Maybe the colorblindness but doesn’t seem as much. 

  • I’m cross dominant, which for me means I write with my left hand but will favour my right hand for near enough every other task.

    When I was in the stage of pondering “Ooh, is that the autism?” about everything, I did find a few websites and forums suggesting a link between this and autism. None of the sources seemed to be particularly reliable from a scientific viewpoint though - more anecdotal. 

Reply
  • I’m cross dominant, which for me means I write with my left hand but will favour my right hand for near enough every other task.

    When I was in the stage of pondering “Ooh, is that the autism?” about everything, I did find a few websites and forums suggesting a link between this and autism. None of the sources seemed to be particularly reliable from a scientific viewpoint though - more anecdotal. 

Children
  • Yes, I envisioned the ‘No’ scenario. TBH idk if I’d be bummed or relieved. Probably something in between being no worse for the experience I’d hope. I think that’s part of the ambivalence.  

  • Personally, after a lifetime dominated by anxiety and feeling somehow different and apart, the prospect of an ‘answer’ as to why is tantalising. 

    Diagnosis, if it comes, is no magic bullet I’m sure, but I’m still hopeful it would help in some way. 

    One issue is that after a long time of suspecting and then waiting for assessment, if the opinion is no, what do you do then?

    However, If I can improve my life in some way based on what I see as helping the ‘autistic’ me now, before assessment, then I have improved my life regardless of assessment outcome. 

    I know I’ve gone on about me but hopefully it adds something to the discussion. 

  • Thank you for the reply. I’m somewhat ambivalent regarding getting a diagnosis. And then for some reason I find thinking about it exhausting. That doesn’t happen with too many things I think about. Why this subject I’m not sure. The ONLY thing a diagnosis would accomplish for me is self knowledge. But after a lifetime of feeling different and not really understanding it might be worth it! But then, yes, I’d be wondering if the assessment was correct. As I stated earlier I’m starting to find some of this very nebulous. 

  • I most certainly accept the spirit of what you say John C, and on the surface of it, wholly agree........and yet.....ultimately, irrespective of what someone "tells" you, unless you are prepared to "appropriate" a condition, syndrome or illness for yourself, then the uncertainty abounds forever.

    These pages are littered with stories of mis-diagnosis.....both YES and NO for autism.  In equal measure, they seem to have caused those poor souls considerable pain.

    Similarly, there are many late diagnosed folks on these pages who have been able to successfully hide their own fundamental realities from themselves for more than half a century (I am one of those) so expecting others to be able to unpick those well practised self-taught lies and deceptions/accommodations of one's self  can be no mean feat for even the most accomplished assessor.

    I think, on the balance of probabilities, the most important "diagnosis" that one can receive is self proclaimed and accompanied with complete and unmitigated acceptance.  Anything less than that is unlikely to be helpful.

    Needless to say, having data on the matter at hand (ie yourself) and the seeking the opinion(s) of other humans who have dedicated their lives to understanding the personalities, traits, behaviours and lifestyles of other humans *CAN BE* very useful.....or not?!

    Any human over the age of 18 years is highly unlikely to receive any practical benefit or support whether they are "officially" deemed autistic or not.

    The key to happiness is to "know thy self" and to make peace with that.  That takes time and, most assuredly, labels of any description cannot help with that task.

    Thoughtfully, and with kind regards

    Number.

  • I should also make it clear that I don’t know if I’m autistic. I’m kinda hoping it may be somewhat ruled in or out by folks on the board reading my texts. But it becoming evident that that’s not realistic or fair to people here. But im stressing that im undiagnosed and really have no idea if I have autism or not. Very important to not appropriate any condition, syndrome or illness. 

  • I’m left handed but I do a lot of things R handed. But I think most or all lefties are like that it being a R handed world and all.