Can I test myself to see if I'm on the Asperger's spectrum?

Yes @ibstubro. Here is an online test you can do. I was going to post more than one, but I think this is sufficient.

This is a link to the Autism Spectrum Quotient test.

I’ve wondered the same.

I think the most reliable way to determine is to meet a doctor for a diagnosis. Asperger’s is very complex and can only be determined with very specific medical methods.

Heh, the goons from the government can’t even really diagnose it, there are so many different and minute things they have to look for, and they need a complete history, it’s ridiculous.

I have taken the test that @Misfit shared and apparently I’m slightly on the spectrum.

Let us know what your results are?

I took the test I got 16. Which is the score for the control group.

You might also find it interesting (and possibly helpful) to watch the last two seasons of a show called “Parenthood”

One of the ongoing story arcs involves Hank , a photographer who becomes a friend and mentor to a 15 yr. old boy with aspergers. As time goes on he begins to see similarities between himself and Max and wonders if he himself might also be on the Autism spectrum.

Over its entire run this show has done an exceptional job of realistically portraying the struggles Max and his parents face in dealing with his aspergers, as well as the successes he experiences. It’s far from th e typical superficiality of a lot of TV.

Even tho it’s no longer currently on the air, it was a pretty recent show so I think it will be fairly easy to find, perhaps on Netflix or Hulu.

If you want to follow the character from the beginning, he first appeared in the 4th season and continued through the 5th and 6th seasons. The 6th was the final season.

To give you a general idea and overview about this particular story arc, I’ve included an interview with the show creator (who in real life is dealing with a son with aspergers) so you can see why it was so exceptionally well done.
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https://www.buzzfeed.com/emilyorley/with-hank-parenthood-takes-a-different-approach-to-addressin?utm_term=.niAaeVdbx#.udL62lGWg

Go to a doctor for testing. The online test says it shouldn’t be used for diagnosing.

I scored at 13, though there were several questions where my response could have been (had the option been offered) “neither agree nor disagree).

It kicked me out in the middle – either because it didn’t like my answers or because it didn’t want me using an ad-blocker. So I’ll never know (but I strongly suspect I’m not.)

I just took the test and got a 17. I think as a teen it would have been a few points higher.

I think I am a little bit further along the spectrum than average. I think that if you are not coping well with bits of your life then a diagnosis might help you put the little niggles about your behaviour into perspective. For example I was accused recently of pushing in front of someone in a queue to get into a theatre with unassigned seats. (As you may know, queuing is taken very seriously in the UK). I was upset to be accused of queue transgression, but with some hindsight, I realised that being in the crowd had made me feel agitated and I had moved quickly to get to a seat where I knew I would feel calmer. This helped me put my behaviour into perspective and I felt less bad about the accusation of queue jumping!

30. I scored a 30.
But I had to find a self scoring version of the test.

I score 27.

I got a 7

I got 10.

It wasn’t a great test, in that it was easy to intuit the intent of the individual questions.

Is there an opposite of Asperger’s?
Would a zero on an Asperger’s test be indicative of a disorder with too little self control/attention to detail/digital retention?

I scored 26, for the record: I don’t believe Asperger’s is a real condition. It’s just a vague description of temperament.

@ARE_you_kidding_me Mental health diagnosis usually falls on a continuum. For any diagnosis a person might have some, but not enough of the characteristics. In that case they are at one end of the continuum and do not check off enough boxes to be diagnosed. It doesn’t change that they still have some of the characteristics. It seems to me now, compared to years ago, we have diagnoses for more syndromes along the various continuums.

I do think part of Asperger Syndrome is temperament and personality. I said above I think I would I would have scored higher when I younger. Dating a boyfriend where I was forced into a lot of social situations that forced/obligated me to a lot etiquette rules including: saying hello to everyone at a party, eye contact, and mingling raised my social acuity. It was very annoying and upsetting sometimes.

I think my dad would score rather high on the test, but he is very needy of personal contact.

I also would bet half the scientists in the world would be diagnosed with asperger’s. Maybe it isn’t abnormal? It might be statistically abnormal, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it should be classified as abnormal.

TheY dumped the term Aspergers. No such diagnosis exists now. It is called PDD-NOS now. Pervasive development disorder, not otherwise specified.

Thinking you can diagnose yourself on the ASD scale is like thinking you can stick your elbow in your ear.

Of course people shouldn’t take an online test as a definitive diagnosis of where they are on the autism scale. However, if someone does such a test and they receive a high score, it would certainly be an indication that they should seek additional advice from their doctor. I don’t think any online (or offline) testing of this type is 100% reliable, and especially not in the hands of untrained people. We don’t have the knowledge or skills to interpret the results accurately.

@cazzie

Ha ha. Very good analogy. In fairness, I’m inclined to think thar the OP is trying to figure out whether it’s warranted to take the next logical step and perhaps see a professional to pursue this further.

Even in the TV program which I referenced, it’s not a black and white clear cut situation for the adult character, Hank. Even the specialist whom he eventually goes to see called it a “jump ball” (that’s an :analogy to the American game of basketball) meaning it could go either way as to whether he was or wasn’t. But, regardless, there were helpful behavioral insights which could be gleaned.

If I recall correctly, you’ve previously mentioned having a child who is on the spectrum, is that correct? If so, I’m sure that makes you pretty close to being an unofficial expert in these matters.

I know that there are at least two Fluther members who’ve mentioned having only been diagnosed in adulthood since there just wasn’t that much awareness during their childhood years.

And aside from gaining insight into personality and behavior, theres no medication or treatment after adult diagnosis. (I might be mistaken about that part) but I’m hoping that one or both of the Jellies I referenced might chime in here with any insights from their experiences.

If you are so self aware to think you fall on the spectrum, chances are you don’t. If you have serious problems with inter personal relationships or managing time or money, there is a greater chance. I have friends diagnosed ADHD as adults. It happens. My ex has serious problems. I pushed him to get help and he got a diagnosis but he chose to find better enabler. He totally lacks any self awareness to help himself. Both my boys are on the spectrum. The oldest ( not mine biologically ) my step son is more profoundly affected. My youngest has a similar diagnosis to his father. I’m ensuring he grows up knowing he needs to look out for certain pitfalls so he can use self awareness as a tool to cope with his challenges and running away and hiding isn’t what grown ups do. It’s ok to feel like an alien (he said that to me last week) . We all do sometimes. Knowing how we think is a good way to help us control ourselves.

“If you are so self aware to think you fall on the spectrum, chances are you don’t.”

Step back from that, @cazzie.
Is that you, or your ex, talking?

“Thinking you can diagnose yourself on the ASD scale is like thinking you can stick your elbow in your ear.”
Is that an ironic quote, or are you all over the board on this?

I am saying exactly the same thing, ibstubro. If you are so self aware, you probably don’t. If you say to yourself…. ‘huh, I wonder if I should take this test because I think I might be autistic’, chances are you aren’t. And stop thinking it is a matter of ‘having it or not’ because ASD is not like that at all. It is a spectrum disorder. It isn’t like diagnosing diabetes.

And Buttonstc, you are wrong about medication and help for adult diagnosis. Depending on how you are affected, there are medications that can help. Anxiety meds, Adrenalin uptake inhibitors (what my youngest son is on.) and then there is cognitive behavioural therapy. Again, knowing what the problem is, IS 80% of the battle. The good news is, the rest is up to you. The bad news is, the rest is up to you.

If anyone is having real problems coping and they wonder if it is an ASD, seek professional help. Get REAL help. You wouldn’t believe the check lists and the interviews and therapy sessions we all went through. It takes at least 6 months for a proper diagnosis.