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Systemising Quotient

Telstar

I'd be interested for any views on the following regarding SQ (Systemising Quotient) tests.

For those who haven't seen my other posts, just to confirm that I am waiting for a Full Assessment, having had an initial one at my local MHU, which found several indicators of possible ASC.

Since discovering the possiblility of ASC in myself, I have done a few online tests (it was doing the AQ test and getting a score of 40 which alerted me to autism in the first place).  Recently, I undertook the SQ test, as I recall I hadn't done this one previously.  I was quite taken aback to find myself scoring 125 on the test, and I tried to answer conservatively too.  This puts me well above the average for adults with an ASC.  

I know that I have a logical outlook in the extreme, and always have done - for example, different saucers for different drinking mugs, always using certain coloured plastic clothes hangers for certain coloured shirts, all clothes subdivided into sections, etc., and never deviating from these.  I couldn't function without this certainty and order, but also, I can't understand how other people don't have these systems either - to me, it's entirely logical AND sensible to do this.  So many people out there seem to go through life in a disorganised way, and it baffles me!

I know these online tests are only a "guide" and shouldn't be taken as clinical evidence, however, 125 on the SQ test seems to be quite high to me.  I wondered if anyone else here has taken this test, and if so, did you find similar results?  I'm not unduly worried about the result, just a little surprised, although the systematic way in which I've organised my life since a child does seem to tie in with this result.  My EQ (Empathy Quotient) of 22 also might suggest why, combined with the SQ, that I feel I can look at a situation with considerable detachment.  I also recognise that I may sometimes appear to be a bit pedantic - again, perhaps the SQ results might just confirm this?

Parents

  • Also, a lot of these questions are blatently stereotyping. Take for example:

    "In Maths I am intrigued by the rules and patterns governing numbers"

    Apart from the fact that strictly speaking number patters are arithmetic, maths is about abstract problem solving, how many of us are actually obsessed with integer numbers or any other number things? Also some people see numbers as colours (synesthesia) but that's not about maths either.

    "I find it difficult to learn my way around a new city"

    There is an observed characteristic amongst people on the autistic spectrum that they tend to stick to one route, and would find changing that route very uncomfortable, but that's a change resistance characteristic. Some people also report that they easily get lost. But is that really what the above statement conveys?  Doesn't everyone find it difficult to learn their way around a new city?

    Another variant of this is "I find it difficult to read and understand maps" - most people seem to find maps difficult - having taught it as part of a subject for years I can bear witness to how much people get confused about it. What has this statement got to do with autism? Is it extracting a meaningful characteristic? Or is it suggesting that I'm obsessive enough to really understand maps? - well it was my living for years.

    Similar again is this one " I find it difficult to understand the information the bank sends me on different saving and investment and saving systems" I sure do - possibly because it seems to hit my sensory overload button. But is that what it is trying to find out? Or does it mean someone with autism would know every detail beforehand?

    "After meeting someone just once or twice I find it difficult to remember precisely what they look like"

    There is a phenomena where people on the spectrum dont recognise people in a different context, or have difficulty remembering faces, but it isn't unique to autism, and affects a lot of people with dyslexia. I really do wonder if this statement achieves anything.

    "When I learn about historical events I do not focus on exact dates"  Another stereotype I think. Does it really imply an over obsession about dates?

    "I would never break a law, no matter how minor" and "I tend to have very strong opinions about morality". Yes there's a hint of autism traits there but isn't that simply stereotyping?

    The tests are frankly worrying. They are designed to make people question their self identity and go scurrying off for lengthy treatments in an expensive clinic. Do they really indicate autistic spectrum?

Reply

  • Also, a lot of these questions are blatently stereotyping. Take for example:

    "In Maths I am intrigued by the rules and patterns governing numbers"

    Apart from the fact that strictly speaking number patters are arithmetic, maths is about abstract problem solving, how many of us are actually obsessed with integer numbers or any other number things? Also some people see numbers as colours (synesthesia) but that's not about maths either.

    "I find it difficult to learn my way around a new city"

    There is an observed characteristic amongst people on the autistic spectrum that they tend to stick to one route, and would find changing that route very uncomfortable, but that's a change resistance characteristic. Some people also report that they easily get lost. But is that really what the above statement conveys?  Doesn't everyone find it difficult to learn their way around a new city?

    Another variant of this is "I find it difficult to read and understand maps" - most people seem to find maps difficult - having taught it as part of a subject for years I can bear witness to how much people get confused about it. What has this statement got to do with autism? Is it extracting a meaningful characteristic? Or is it suggesting that I'm obsessive enough to really understand maps? - well it was my living for years.

    Similar again is this one " I find it difficult to understand the information the bank sends me on different saving and investment and saving systems" I sure do - possibly because it seems to hit my sensory overload button. But is that what it is trying to find out? Or does it mean someone with autism would know every detail beforehand?

    "After meeting someone just once or twice I find it difficult to remember precisely what they look like"

    There is a phenomena where people on the spectrum dont recognise people in a different context, or have difficulty remembering faces, but it isn't unique to autism, and affects a lot of people with dyslexia. I really do wonder if this statement achieves anything.

    "When I learn about historical events I do not focus on exact dates"  Another stereotype I think. Does it really imply an over obsession about dates?

    "I would never break a law, no matter how minor" and "I tend to have very strong opinions about morality". Yes there's a hint of autism traits there but isn't that simply stereotyping?

    The tests are frankly worrying. They are designed to make people question their self identity and go scurrying off for lengthy treatments in an expensive clinic. Do they really indicate autistic spectrum?

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