Admit your an NT?

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I don't think the Aspie quiz is accurate, or any online test for that matter. I scored a reasonably high aspie score and comparatively low NT score the last time I took it too, but I have absolutely no idea how relevant or valid the score is or how accurate the test is. The number of false positives appears as if it would be higher than the number of true cases. There's a lot of people who take these quizzes, score high, and then automatically make the assumption that they're on the spectrum and closed-mindedly reject any other possibility.

The AQ test seems at first glance to be the most subjective of them all given the nature of its loaded questions and lack of any real screening tools along with copious use of "steriotypes", yet I was surprised at its reliability, wherin 2% of a random sample of the population scored a 32 or higher and of those scoring 32 or higher, 7 of 11 met the threshold DSM-IV criteria for AS/HFA/PDD. I can make an assumption that those online are more likely to be introverted, and therefore the number of 'false positives' would be proportionally greater than the general population, even though the AQ test is not a diagnostic tool but more or less a survey to assess whether actual diagnostic tools are worth considering the use of. I scored a 37 on it myself the last time I took it, which by that factor, means there's a high probability I am one. But that doesn't mean I am.


I'm trying to figure out what I am too. Could merely be social anxiety or some sort of neurosis, but I've had major problems with socialization, minor sensory issues(very minor; they're an annoyance and not a cause of functional impairment), high systemizing/low empathizing tendacies, difficulty relating to others, difficulty with coordination, difficulty reading nonverbal cues, and obsessive interests long before I knew what AS even was. Personality disorders are also a good possibility, as my problems were due at least in part to bad behavior, but it doesn't nearly begin to explain everything. Or perhaps I'm just some strange introvert with a reasonable amount of intelligence with habits that deviate from the norm, which many psychiatrists would say is on the spectrum by that virtue alone(mathematically gifted but introverted children are often misdiagnosed as Aspergers). There isn't exactly a clear definition of what AS actually is when you examine the tools used to diagnose it(eg. DSM-IV, Gillbergs), just what the symptoms of the condition are, which would wrongly relegate it to a "catch-all" diagnosis for people who merely don't fit into society well. Yet, a number of those diagnosed with AS are clearly functionally impaired to an extent that they can't function in society without help, and are markedly different from those diagnosed who appear to have no problems or only minor problems in comparison, yet they'd be perfectly eligible for disability aid if they ever desired it.

As far as I know, I'll never find out with any certainty whether I'm ASD to some degree or not unless I see what my brain looks like. Anything else isn't objective or scientific. Childhood history and personal accounts are subjective, even though these are important when it comes to considering the possibility of having such a 'disorder'. Knowing that you have always had difficulty reading others and still do is still subjective and you have no way to actually test this outside of your own experiences without the aid of someone knowledgable of AS/HFA. If a PET scan were a required diagnostic tool, my hypothesis is that the number of Aspergers diagnosis would decrease dramatically. This statement about understanding what your brain looks like before truly knowing for a fact whether you have it or not could safely apply to anyone who is diagnosed or suspects they have AS/HFA, except in cases of extreme functional impairment where it is abundantly clear that something is wrong. UNLESS the definition of HFA/AS has changed so significantly that the definition actually would describe socially deviant individuals with obsessive interests with an ability to read nonverbal cues somewhat below the norm, but then should such people really be compared with individuals who are very clearly impaired and possibly given aid if they request it?

Yet, it also makes sense that there are autistics in society who have no significant impairment whatsover and merely think differently from others. Inventor could be correct with his 1/50 number, meaning that there could be nearly 150 million people on Earth who have autistic brains, but most of whom would have no noticable functional impairment, and most of whom which would probably not have a significant theory of mind deficet or any at all, but merely a different way of thinking and percieving. This way of thinking and percieiving is certainly a threat to society's ruling elite and it would make sense that they would want it to be screened and, if possible, eliminated, yet society may not be able to function without this group of people. If this 1/50 number is indeed the case, my odds of being one are extremely high, and for that matter, the odds of any mathemetician, engineer, physicist, or like person with some degree of social ineptitude that is not by choice or behavior of being such a person are extremely high.

So many things to think about, but no way of really understanding the truth. First, the correct definition must be found, and then an accurate approxamation of the number of people that fit that definition, and then after that, a differentiation of the degree of 'impairment' that is found among this group of people. In the world of abnormal psychology, accurate and reliable consensus seems fleeting; too many untestable theories, too many assumptions, too many unknown variables.



What are you? I don't know. I'm still trying to figure that out in regard to myself.

wow scumsuckingdouchebag that was one of the most informative posts i've read in quite awhile. Thank you for writing it.

I suppose I could admit that I'm neurotypical. However, I'm pretty sure the lie would soon be uncovered

im starting to think im an NT with very strong obsessions, and social problems

I think that would describe most people diagnosed with AS. It depends on the definition used I suppose...

well yeah, only i wish i could turn my obsessions on and off my rock and trading card obsession is nice to have but some of my people obsessions are bringing the ship down captin

That's me, though the term "social apathy" seems more appropriate.

I like to half-jokingly refer to myself as a "low-functioning neurotypical."

Me too. I lose track of time when I start researching them or discussing them online. Was detrimental in college, very detrimental.

yeah dude most people have obsessions anyways and alot of them never get diagnosed with aspergers

WOULD I? Yes, if I don't get the diagnosis that says I'm not. WILL I? That's something I can't know until I get the diagnosis.

LOL, the thread was meant at a joke. Grammatical errors aside, look at the way the question is worded.

Its sort of like the question, "Do you still beat your wife?"

It should have been quite predictable then that most on this site would have been oblivious to this topic being a joke. That's quite funny and a very creative joke at that.

Jeeze, Kalister and here I was going to admit to being a neurotic typical.

I caught the joke, thus my reason for posting Sgt, Schultz. "I see nothing! I know nothing!". Of course. that too might be far too obscure of a joke for lots of people here. It would have been even funnier if a moderator had posted it.

whew, imagine my relief..I hadn't used NT since '03, when we went over to XP, and...oopsie...

I don't post to annoy people, I do it because I can either try to help (in my own deluded mind.. or amuse (I hope). If I've offended anyone, mea maxima culpa...

I just communicate better this way.

What I mean was; if I was NT, I'd be out with the lads or doing artistic things with the missus, or all my mates, etc. I'd be too popular to hang here, y'all... j/k..

I think I am too...I'm still not sure about the typical part though.