What if it's not a spectrum, but a circle?

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Well... maybe, but then, a schizophrenic's delusions don't really seem like defense mechanisms. Generally, they're unpleasant, and the schizophrenic feels threatened, which isn't what you'd expect if that theory were correct.

And the number of autistics who've survived to adulthood without developing psychosis would make this theory seem unlikely.

Not to mention most schizophrenics are relatively normal until mid-late twenties, and autistics are just born weird.

Actually, there is generally something before then, just not full-blown psychosis. Also, in males, the age of onset is earlier than that.

Aargh!
Off to bed now, hopefully sleep will put an end to it

Hmm. I always read that women tend to show schizophrenic symptoms in their early twenties, while men typically begin to show them mid-late twenties...

My son's psychosis started at age 9 and now at 13 we are seeing another new level of problems. He's dx'd as an Aspie with ADHD, and Bi-Polar, and I'm hoping we can not add the schizotypal label on there as well, or even move along to a personality disorder, not SPD as apparently that label is going away.

His timeline went something like this:

Born very different, lots of Aspie type behavior...fixated on fans, shiny things, moving objects, obsessive interests,

His bio dad didn't believe in dxing but we all knew something was "off"

Age 8, finally away from bio dad with insurance...not really sure what was going on but there were things at school he just couldn't handle so I figured it was some kind of learning disability and getting a dx would help us know what to do.

DX comes back: Clearest case of AS she's ever seen, obviously ADHD (whole families got it, I didn't know it wasn't "normal" explains a lot)

The following summer he's visiting his Dad, I get an emergency call from the hospital down there, my son is having a psychotic break and would I like to transport him closer to home to see a doctor there or have him admitted to the psych unit there. I had him brought home and placed an emergency call to the guy treating his ADHD, and helping us understand his AS.

Various antipsychotic meds tried and discarded, some work for a while, some don't, but a fairly stable situation, albeit heavily medicated.

Age 12/6th grade, doing incredibly well. Has a close friend, best year in school ever, things really coming together.

7th grade, Compulsive lying, refusal to do any kind of school work, grades slipping, frequent melt downs, severe mood cycling...many changes in meds, many changes in behavior. Barely passed the grade, and that was a gift because they don't want to have to hold on to him an extra year and know he can catch up if he snaps out of it.

And that's where we are. His behavior continues to deteriorate, we continue to treat with meds and counceling. I don't know where this is heading for him.

I always thought it was more of a dodecahedron .

They (whoever that is) always say that insanity is one step above genius. So I can see the whole circular thing.