Mid 50s UK woman – Wondering but doubtful. Does this ring any bells?

I’ve been wondering if I’m autistic (high-masking late-dx pattern) but keep talking myself out of it (“maybe it’s just trauma / anxiety”). Would love your honest thoughts.

Scores

RAADS-R 80 (Social Relatedness 41)

CAT-Q 122

EQ 38 / SQ 63

AQ 22

Aspie Quiz 84 (85 % NT probability, autistic-shaped spider)

Stuff that keeps coming up

Never instinctively know the “right” way to act socially – always overthinking / scripting

Intensity dial can suddenly shoot up to 100 and seem inappropriate (sudden monologues, tears when something matters)

3–5 year deep dives that become my whole identity (tennis stats → cycling → podcasts/live shows)

Social battery flat after one coffee or a normal work day

Parasocial crushes as main regulation - lifelong 

Justice sensitivity + “felt too loud while silent”

Very tomboy and "male brained". Girly stuff very alien to me.

Constantly chew my lip.

I’m organised, hold down a job, no one has ever said autism, and part of me still thinks “maybe I’m just intense / anxious / making it up”.

Does this look like the usual high-masking late-dx woman thing to you, or am I overthinking it? (UK – any gentle next-step advice also welcome.)

Thanks for reading.

  • Over thinking & scripting, deep data dives, social battery quickly becoming flat, justice sensitivity and being female but "male brained" are all common traits in autistic adults. The AQ50 is supposed to be a pretty good indicator though, and 22 is too low a score to suggest autism. So it is a.conundrum. I don't remember what the scores should be on the other tests to suggest autism.

    I would suggest discussing with your GP, and stay on this forum if you feel at home here.