Interesting.. Are you borderline autistic?

[Labyrrinth]

While some people clearly suffer from extreme cases, millions suffer only from minor cases of autism. The history of mathematics and physics is populated by borderline autistics. Answer 50 questions about yourself on a web page, and a simple program spits out a number between 1 and 32. The higher the number, the closer you are to autism.

Take this test (http://www.msnbc.com/modules/newsweek/autism_quotient/default.asp) to find out your score

[Skarlath]

I came out at a 'normal' 19.

Sometimes I find it hard to come to terms with conditions that people can apparently 'suffer from to a very small degree and not notice it'. I just kind of feel that things should be more clear cut. Just because you answer those questions in a particular way doesn't mean you are autistic, unless of course autism is simply a state of mind that is just a little more extreme than the rest of us.

Dyslexia is one I have big problems coming to terms with. As far as I can see, if I choose to take a perhaps blander view of things than I should, Dyslexia is just a peg on the rating system for a number of skills. Poor reading skills, for example, is indicitive of Dyslexia ... but then you get kids being diagnosed who have poor reading skills simply because they weren't taught properly! Here in England, children with Dyslexia and other similar mental conditions are given extra time during school exams. I know some damn smart kids who are diagnosed as Dyslexic and who simply dont need that extra time. Kids who consistantly obtain better grades than a fair few other people I wound consider to be 'smart'. And yet because they have Dyslexia.

/sigh

[Labyrrinth]

First this isn't to belittle, oversimplify, or make light of people that are truely afflicted with things such as autism or anything else for that matter.

To a large degree, I agree with you Skarlath. Simply put, there is a name, diagnosis, and drug for absolutely everything these days.

[Skarlath]

In light of Labyrrinth's disclaimer, I should add one two.

There are those who have disabilities brought upon them in only small parts of the functionality, which due to our school and social system may well cause inequity which can otherwise be avoided. It seems all too many are extremely hasty to diagnose and medicate instances which could be left alone for the benefit of multiple parties.

[shiver]

I got a 7. That definitely put me in the low side of things since most women score about a 15.

I am sure there are bad points about scoring this low. lol

[Razorwire]

Scored an 8 even though my wife has asked me several times if I am autistic :p

[Skarlath]

Read something interesting in BBC Focus magazine today.

Apparently some researchers have identified a gene, DCDC2 that effects migration of neurons, that doesn't function correctly in Dyslexics.

Though I still feel the whole 'extra time' thing is ridiculous, even if there is a reason for their lessened ability at reading and writing.

I mean .. it's like saying: Skarlath isn't a well built fellow, he's not the most muscular of chaps due to his genetics, but lets give him appreciation for sporting achievements he can never hope to obtain. Gee, that's a great idea. That way people wont confuse him for someone who doesn't achieve them for someone who doesn't try, and instead he will look like a top sportsman because had his genes been different he may well have been.

Bah!

[Nólaquen]

Well...erm...I scored a 42. Is that bad? :eek:

Clearly, I must have exaggerated a few of my answers.

[Labyrrinth]

hehe I scored a 22

The problem with most of these tests is almost immediately you can see a pattern, and figure out how to answer to achieve the results you want to see, subconsciously or not

It would be a lot more believable I think, if it were a *blind* test of sorts... with questions and answers that weren't so obvious

[Skarlath]

Hehe yeah

If you answer every single question as the bottom option then you get a score of 25

I'm guessing it might work something like one answer = +1, next +0.5 next + 0.25 and the last +0, autistic to least autistic respectively.

The autistic answers are going to be one of the extremes each of the time, and so that means half of the questions are the bottom choice and exactly half are the top choice.

It's pretty straightforward picking out which questions answer as the first choice for most autistic as lots are things like "I notice sounds that others don't" - something that isn't too normal and so must be the autistic choice. Some of the questions later on are a littler 'cleverer' but then it reverts back to easy ones to interpret.

/sigh

[Razorwire]

hehe I scored a 22

The problem with most of these tests is almost immediately you can see a pattern, and figure out how to answer to achieve the results you want to see, subconsciously or not

It would be a lot more believable I think, if it were a *blind* test of sorts... with questions and answers that weren't so obvious

but the point is to anwser honestly otherwise you are just cheating the test.

[Labyrrinth]

but the point is to anwser honestly otherwise you are just cheating the test.

That's why I said subconciously

[Raijyn]

Heh I scored a healthy 15 on that one. Though some of those questions did start repeating themselves. Uh oh, if I noticed that, does that mean Im even more autistic than I thought :eek:

[Webtroll]

An honest 27 :confused:

[AgentJ]

Got a 23. Borderline average to above average. I guess thats ok :p

[Varcan]

A 25!

Maybe I can ask my profs for extra time on test now:twisted: Just 10pts more to autism:confused:

I was expecting it to be high, its cool, really

[Darkgecko]

Honest 20, although the questions were really just too obvious.

[Falciform]

hehe I scored a 22

The problem with most of these tests is almost immediately you can see a pattern, and figure out how to answer to achieve the results you want to see, subconsciously or not

It would be a lot more believable I think, if it were a *blind* test of sorts... with questions and answers that weren't so obvious

Only autistic people would notice such things. ;)

I scored 19.

[Labyrrinth]

Only autistic people would notice such things. ;)



Ya know... that thought crossed my mind too :p

[Dojo]

It seems all too many are extremely hasty to diagnose and medicate instances which could be left alone for the benefit of multiple parties.

I remember talking to this one girl, who's friend found out in school that her best friend had died. She started to cry in class and later on they put her on anti-depressant medication.


Just goes to show you how edgy the world is today on trying to presribe the human race.

[Skarlath]

I remember talking to this one girl, who's friend found out in school that her best friend had died. She started to cry in class and later on they put her on anti-depressant medication.


Just goes to show you how edgy the world is today on trying to presribe the human race.

:eek:

Lets just start taking the "Equilibrium" pills and remove all emotions!

:eek:

[Kullall]

28. I have always felt like I was a little off though. People shouldn't remember things from overhearing them once, you know, like your boss in the next room telling someone on the phone his social security number or Visa Card number.

[ChrisChairs]

I got 13....

[JAdams]

I remember talking to this one girl, who's friend found out in school that her best friend had died. She started to cry in class and later on they put her on anti-depressant medication.

Oh, for Christ's sake, she needs a hug, not medication!

I used to take anti-depressants... in a way, it made me feel worse, because, although I felt better, I needed a bloody pill just to do so. I finally decided that if I couldn't feel happy without a pill, then I just wouldn't be happy.

An honest 31 here. I was hoping for higher :D

I've always wondered at my ability to rate myself accurately, though :)