The Global Assessment of Functioning Scale

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I had that assessed once about 10 years ago; the 'verdict' was 45. It was useful for what I needed it for at the time (applying for SSDI/SSI), so I guess I don't have any complaints. I guess it's about the same, now.

I wonder how the effects of informal help are figured into the rating? I.e. plenty of people here seem to have informal, but critical help from spouses/SO's/parents/etc. Maybe someone can work with that 'invisible' help, but without it their apparent 'high functionality' would collapse.

(After reading the top rating I'm feeling a slightly evil impulse to try to write criteria for numbers above 100... "110-120: wherever you walk the shines more brightly, and nearby children become happier, due to your aura. 120-130: You never have B.O. and can cure all illness by touch. 130-140: Flowers sprout from your footsteps. You turn deserts into paradise merely by being there." )

They have a children's list. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children%2 ... ment_Scale

The more I read them the more I disagree with them.

Oh I don't know that it's possible to download. Are you able to click on the link and then read it within your browser? That's how it worked for me. I don't think you can just right-click and download.

I think a person's score is supposed to be a single number, and each category gives a range of numbers so that each category has degrees.
I'd give myself a 51.

Yeah it is supposed to be a single number. Depending on the way you interpret the criteria, I'd give myself a 7, 13, or 21 probably. But it's really hard to come up with even the ranges, let alone the numbers. A lot of shrinks just use the round numbers -- 10, 20, 30, etc. possibly because it's hard for even them to be more precise than that.

I wonder if someone could make this into a poll. (They'd have to use ranges for that, though.)

Hell. With how much of a joke my life is right now, I'd rate myself at 41-50. That's depressing.

What does it mean by 'obscure speech'? My speech is usually a jumbled mess but my thoughts seem more clear. Sometimes they're not clear but that's an ADHD-PI thing. I wonder how someone would judge me if they heard my stutterings and stoppings and constant ability to forget what I was going to say.
I'd give myself a 35. I mean no job, still living with parents, somewhat echolalic, poor social skills, shutting down if I'm around people for too long, self-help skills still behind, becoming confused and paranoid by hallucinations, thinks suicidal thoughts but will never do it (ideation mostly), not to mention having all those difficulties that come from a fear of change.

Ouch. 41-50. Suicidal & poor social skills. My mom also has to force me to bath.
But I don't need no special education! I can get normal grades and take care of everything (including hygiene by MY standards) by myself

_________________
Have DCD,ADHD, and many others (and possible AS). Husband-to-be has AS/PDD.
Name: call me Nitz.
Age: 16
Obsession: Neuro-psychology, my boyfriend, neurology (stopped denying it).
Illy, I love you.

Well, ya know, ADD, it's really not unusual for people with autism to be able to do some things but not others very well--so don't let them tell you that because you can do one thing, you must be able to do something unrelated, or because you can't do one thing, you can't possibly be capable of something else unrelated.

For example, I learned how to read a star map before I learned how to use figures of speech. I learned how to solve calculus problems before I learned how to keep up with personal grooming. I learned how to write an essay before I learned how to ride a bike...

I'm autistic. That kind of "out of order" development is practically to be expected. So... you can do what you can do, and don't let them tell you that you must learn things in the typical order. Just gain skills as you become capable of accessing them, at your own pace, to the best of your own ability--if you hold yourself up to the shrinks' standards you'll always fall short.