Worth diagnosing possible Asperges

Hi there, I am 16 and am not diagnosed with autism. Some friends of mine, in a nice way, suggested that I have some asperges traits in a mild form and so I went to my medical centre at my school and they gave me a document on asperges but said they didn't know much about it. I do not know if it is worth me going for a diagnosis, as I have many asperges traits (to a noticably smaller degree then people who I meet who are aspergers) but i dont have quite a few.

For example I do like things to have a very set ruitine, and I do everything in the same order in my day when I can, I resist change when possible. I am not rude but very blunt, I am apparently not that tactical in how I say things. I am not emotionally affected by others feelings much at all. I am not that good at reading people who aren't my family. I have a high IQ (137) and am very high acheiving in mathematics and when I do maths I focus in on it very strongly and everything else fades away (I also don't like many other subjects at all, if any). I hear things when I am focusing, and am extremely easily distracted by things when working, I find this annoying when doing exams.

However, I do not have issues socially. I am fine at making friends and I don't make many enemies either. I am not noticably clumsy.I woudlnt say I take criticism personally, usually I am impartial to it and I am not that affected, although I wasn't always that way. I hate small talk and I find my thoughts being bored and drifting away from it when I am caught up in it (The kind of drifting of thoughts that happens with tiredness or boredom), however on the contrary I can do small talk and sustain a conversation if I need to.

My parents did not think I was autistic or asperges, but a few friends have pointed out mild traits. I wanted to know if it is worth going for a diagnosis if I am really unsure as to if I am mildy asperges or if I am not and just have a collection of aperges-like personality traits. I would really apreciate your comments.

Parents
  • Hi delayederror,

    I am 28 and your story sounds very, very similar to my own (I was also maths obsessed, it's my dream subject, no ambiguity). I am currently awaiting a diagnosis for Aspergers. I've had the assessment just waiting for the results.

    Like you, at school I had plenty of friends and was well liked. No concerns... Looking back though I did however stick to these friends like glue and looking back would not venture anywhere without them and did not socialise in any other groups apart from my core friends.

    I am always told I am really polite, but equally I speak my mind and deal in facts and truths. I probably do offend people from time to time, I just don't notice. I was VERY particular around routines and where objects were placed, they had to be at right angles or parallel to other surface edges. I was a collector, and when I was into something, I was INTO something. I had to have every variation and item from the set. With collectible figures I could tell you whether I had that item and in which quantities of each colour. I am now the opposite and a total minimalist, I throw out anything and everything I deem as not required. I hoard information and knowledge now.

    Things really got harder for me when I transitioned into adult life, I had depression, breakdowns, time off work, anxiety, etc. I managed to complete University and I have a good job, but I do sometimes struggle when there are too many stress factors in my life. There have been some jobs I mentally just could not cope with and had to quit.

     

    My advice which is what I did was to research as much as possible and keep a list of your issues and traits. It may be useful to complete these tests. These test are by no means conclusive of a yes/no but it might give you an idea. The AQ50 and EQ I had to complete as part of my assessment. I did these online as well to see how I scored and got an AQ of 38/50 (the higher the more likely of autism) and 10/80 on the EQ (the lower the more likely of autism). I did however score quite high on reading facial expressions, but I get a lot of practice in reading people in meetings at work.

    If after doing this you think a diagnosis would help you or is what you want. Go speak to your GP, take your list and test results and ask for a referral.

    Autism Quotient 50 - aspergerstest.net/.../

    Empathy Quotient - psychology-tools.com/.../

    Facial Expressions - greatergood.berkeley.edu/.../

     

    I wish you well!

Reply
  • Hi delayederror,

    I am 28 and your story sounds very, very similar to my own (I was also maths obsessed, it's my dream subject, no ambiguity). I am currently awaiting a diagnosis for Aspergers. I've had the assessment just waiting for the results.

    Like you, at school I had plenty of friends and was well liked. No concerns... Looking back though I did however stick to these friends like glue and looking back would not venture anywhere without them and did not socialise in any other groups apart from my core friends.

    I am always told I am really polite, but equally I speak my mind and deal in facts and truths. I probably do offend people from time to time, I just don't notice. I was VERY particular around routines and where objects were placed, they had to be at right angles or parallel to other surface edges. I was a collector, and when I was into something, I was INTO something. I had to have every variation and item from the set. With collectible figures I could tell you whether I had that item and in which quantities of each colour. I am now the opposite and a total minimalist, I throw out anything and everything I deem as not required. I hoard information and knowledge now.

    Things really got harder for me when I transitioned into adult life, I had depression, breakdowns, time off work, anxiety, etc. I managed to complete University and I have a good job, but I do sometimes struggle when there are too many stress factors in my life. There have been some jobs I mentally just could not cope with and had to quit.

     

    My advice which is what I did was to research as much as possible and keep a list of your issues and traits. It may be useful to complete these tests. These test are by no means conclusive of a yes/no but it might give you an idea. The AQ50 and EQ I had to complete as part of my assessment. I did these online as well to see how I scored and got an AQ of 38/50 (the higher the more likely of autism) and 10/80 on the EQ (the lower the more likely of autism). I did however score quite high on reading facial expressions, but I get a lot of practice in reading people in meetings at work.

    If after doing this you think a diagnosis would help you or is what you want. Go speak to your GP, take your list and test results and ask for a referral.

    Autism Quotient 50 - aspergerstest.net/.../

    Empathy Quotient - psychology-tools.com/.../

    Facial Expressions - greatergood.berkeley.edu/.../

     

    I wish you well!

Children
  • All three test are interesting. The first 2 confirmed what that I have little empathy.

    Throughout my life I have tried to get better at understanding people's facial expressions. So on the last one I had a score which shows I am seeing, understanding and interpreting.