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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

  • Thanks, both Classic Codger and Longman, for your replies.

    Classic Codger - I guess I took the SQ test just to confirm what I've already suspected for a long time, so in that sense it can be said to have worked.  However, it has probably not helped as such, because it has just confirmed something I suspected after all.  I can recall buying a book in my twenties which tested all sorts of different "aptitudes", and by far and away my highest score was for logical thinking (91%).  Interestingly, my concentration was by far the worst, rated as poor.  However, as Longman says, some of these questions can evoke answers based on how they are presented - such as with opinion polls.

    I certainly think that I'll wait until I get my Full Assessment before doing any more tests, as I know the DISCO is a reliable tool for diagnosis.  I've been trying to keep neutral on my view so as not to influence myself too much before the Assessment is done.  However, I think there is now much evidence, even just reading about others experiences, for me to consider myself as on the autistic spectrum, unless the DISCO shows otherwise (or, of course, validates it).

    Longman - I can understand what you mean about the SQ and EQ tests, and as I mentioned to Classic Codger, I already suspected that I was a high systemiser and had lower empathy before I took the tests.  I did find the AQ test useful in as much as it alerted me to something I had never ever considered before, the possibility of being on the autism spectrum, but of course, I know that the DISCO will confirm or disprove this in my case.  I'm aware, too, that there are certain typical assumptions that are made about autism, whereas we know there are many different manifestations of it (hence talk of the "spectrum"), while all sharing core difficulties.

    As I mentioned to Classic Codger above, I think my plan now is to wait until I get my DISCO.  I'm still benefiting from reading this forum, and from the sense of community it brings, and understanding the issues of others with an ASC.

Reply

  • Thanks, both Classic Codger and Longman, for your replies.

    Classic Codger - I guess I took the SQ test just to confirm what I've already suspected for a long time, so in that sense it can be said to have worked.  However, it has probably not helped as such, because it has just confirmed something I suspected after all.  I can recall buying a book in my twenties which tested all sorts of different "aptitudes", and by far and away my highest score was for logical thinking (91%).  Interestingly, my concentration was by far the worst, rated as poor.  However, as Longman says, some of these questions can evoke answers based on how they are presented - such as with opinion polls.

    I certainly think that I'll wait until I get my Full Assessment before doing any more tests, as I know the DISCO is a reliable tool for diagnosis.  I've been trying to keep neutral on my view so as not to influence myself too much before the Assessment is done.  However, I think there is now much evidence, even just reading about others experiences, for me to consider myself as on the autistic spectrum, unless the DISCO shows otherwise (or, of course, validates it).

    Longman - I can understand what you mean about the SQ and EQ tests, and as I mentioned to Classic Codger, I already suspected that I was a high systemiser and had lower empathy before I took the tests.  I did find the AQ test useful in as much as it alerted me to something I had never ever considered before, the possibility of being on the autism spectrum, but of course, I know that the DISCO will confirm or disprove this in my case.  I'm aware, too, that there are certain typical assumptions that are made about autism, whereas we know there are many different manifestations of it (hence talk of the "spectrum"), while all sharing core difficulties.

    As I mentioned to Classic Codger above, I think my plan now is to wait until I get my DISCO.  I'm still benefiting from reading this forum, and from the sense of community it brings, and understanding the issues of others with an ASC.

Children
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