Is it possible to be half aspie?

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I learned about Asperger Syndrome a few years ago. I read up on it, and while I have several aspie traits, I also have several traits that aren't so common in aspies. I feel like I'm half aspie, half nt. Is that possible? I took the aq test, my score was 29.

Some of my aspie traits (this is not an all inclusive list):
1) low frustration tolerance and near zero tolerance for unfairness
2) I can't stand crowds
3) shutdowns/meltdowns (when I was young, not so much now)
4) sometimes my brain gets "stuck"
5) I was slow to learn social skills as a child and am still socially awkward
6) Up until I was about ten, I would repeat lines from cartoons, books, movies, video games etc. in an attempt to communicate something I didn't have my own words for (echolalia?)

Some of my nt traits:
1) I was very affectionate as a child and loved hugs, kisses, being held etc
2) I was constantly seeking attention from adults as a child
3) I make eye contact
4) I lied just as often as any other kid when I was little
5) I understand tone, body language, facial expression, etc.

Am I possibly aspie? Or just a hypochondriac?

You might have some Aspie traits.

You should research Asperger's/Autism, as well as look at threads on this Site.

The best thing to do "to be sure," is to have an assessment done by an autism specialist.

I think a person could have "Aspie traits" without being Aspie--though "half-Aspie" is a problematic concept--especially for people who are into precision like Aspies.

Compare yourself to the actual diagnostic criteria for accuracy. Some of the items on your lists are not relevant.

In short, yes, it's called BAP. However, more generally there is wide range of people in the autistic spectrum, most people don't have all the traits.

What does BAP mean? Borderline Autistic Presentation?

I feel half Aspie/half Kanner's. :/

Broad Autistic Phenotype. I seem to be half schizoid/half aspie. there is something called schizotypal autism that I must learn more about.

Take a read here:
viewtopic.php?t=143739

There is a Spectrum or scale (let's say from 1 to 50 with 48 being NT) and you can be anywhere on there. It isn't black and white, it's a chart of many shades and you can have a little bit of any of the colours.
Even NTs have some AS traits, just not many and not very strong, that is why I've put what is classed as NT at 48 out of 50.
You are probably classed as High Functioning (HF AS) as I am and it takes some getting used to, particularly when you realise you have a foot in both camps. I have two ways of looking at things and it's up to me when I open my mouth as to which part of me speaks.

there is a test which attempts to measure aspie versus neurotypical traits:

http://rdos.net/eng/Aspie-quiz.php

BTW: you don't have to log-in or sign up to take the test - just answer a few basic question about age and sex and what have you.

Again as others have said - there is no one or at least very few on the Spectrum who have every single autism trait. For that matter probably everyone has some traits - just as everyone has some bipolar traits.

Here is link to the basic American Psychiatric Association guidelines for the diagnostic criteria of the autism spectrum:

http://www.wrongplanet.net/forums/viewt ... p?t=271017

Again the only way be more conclusively certain is to a thorough assessment from a psychiatrist or psychologist who is knowledgeable and experienced with the Autism Spectrum.

sorry I didn't put that link in correctly and it was too late to edit the post

You can actually be aspie and socially quite good, love hugs and affection and all that, but a closer analysis of your social learning style may reveal a different approach, - the intellectual way, - or you may be BAP. BAP is the new category, that is being looked at. They are often found in families with autistic members and can have traits insufficient for a diagnosis, but enough to cause trouble for them: Tony Attwood on Sub Clinical Autism:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUG3wOggA0g

In my opinion, you're either on the spectrum, or you're not. There is no such thing as being "half autistic." There are tons of people who have autistic traits, but that doesn't mean they're autistic. (Most of us have some traits of psychological/psychiatric disorders, but of course, we're not all diagnosed with them.)

So in that case, I agree that you really need to do some research and look into the diagnostic criteria. And if you really believe there's a possibly you have ASD, then get evaluated/assessed.

I do have a question, though, for anyone who can answer it. Doesn't BAP only relate to parents and siblings though? Unless I'm mistaken, it's not supposed to mean that anyone is "half" anything; it's more of a label that states parents/siblings of a person diagnosed with ASD generally have some autistic traits. It refers to the genetic basis of autism, as generally, these relatives don't seem to meet the criteria for a diagnosis. The fact that people may call it half autism is one reason why I believe its existence can be debated and why it's (meaning as a label) unnecessary as of now, due to the lack of research about it. That's just my opinion though. I'm personally studying some of the biological aspects of autism as my thesis, so if more research were able to back up BAP and also dispute the half autistic thing, I probably wouldn't mind it.

If you truly can understand tone, body language, facial expression, and the nuances (lying as a kid) of social interaction, along with making eye contact and lacking profound sensory issues, I am inclined to believe there is no way that you are autistic. Incredibly, extremely, lickishly small chance.

You aren't necessarily a hypochondriac. It's human nature to question one's place in and be curious of the world.

Jezebel. BAP is not "half" anything. It IS part of the spectrum, - the part, that has been overlooked so far, - the part, where people can have problems resembling those of clear AS, but often more manageable/hidden.

OP. Have a look at HSP - Highly Sensitive Personality, which havs many overlaps with ASD - and many of those, you mention. Up to every 5th person and animal is HSP. Read about it.

I would say that if those issues came naturally for a person - it is highly unlikely that they have an ASD. But many people with autism do learn things like none-verbal cues and eye contact albeit much slower and with much more conscious effort. I was in my mid-20's before I routinely made eye contact and in my mid 30's before I got the nuances of it down pat. Certainly when I was younger I was continually misunderstanding and being misunderstood. I still do at times - but significantly less so. I think many people on the Autism spectrum do learn those complex social interaction skills - although - it doesn't generally come naturally like it does for neurotypical people.

I second that. It could very well be a severe case of anxiety.
And contrary to what some people say, anxiety can be a deep rooted problem in some people (in other words, there was no specific environmental trigger).

Thanks for all the helpful replies. After reading this, I've come to the conclusion that I am a borspie.