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SplendidSnail
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01 Jul 2018, 11:51 am

ASPartOfMe wrote:
Scriptowl wrote:
I’m getting an evaluation soon for ASD. What I’m wondering is, do they look at executive function? The stereotype is that autistics are very super organized and love to organize things but I am very unorganized. Does that mean I am not autistic or won’t get a diagnosis? I still take comfort in repetition and a regular routine, but my life and room can get somewhat very disorganized.

They should. Ask to take the BRIEF-A test for executive function.

Looks like my test didn't include it.

My diagnosis says the psychologist used:
-ADI-R (Autism Diagnostic Interview)
-ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule)
-RBANS (Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status)
-Woodcock Neuropsychological Battery
-Semi-Structural Clinical Interview.
-Collateral Interview
-Mental Status Exam
-Personality Assessement Inventory


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fluffysaurus
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01 Jul 2018, 12:03 pm

Scriptowl wrote:
I’m getting an evaluation soon for ASD. What I’m wondering is, do they look at executive function? The stereotype is that autistics are very super organized and love to organize things but I am very unorganized. Does that mean I am not autistic or won’t get a diagnosis? I still take comfort in repetition and a regular routine, but my life and room can get somewhat very disorganized.
:lol: :lol: :lol:
Forget all the stereotypes for autistics and just convey as much as you can as honestly as you can to the assessor. My assessment was about 300 questions but we went off at tangents often and I agree with someone else's point, it is as much about how you answer as what you answer. Don't ask your parents for signs of autism, just ask them what you were like as a baby, as a toddler, as a child, that stuff will really help the assessor, don't hold back anything.



MrXxx
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02 Jul 2018, 4:53 pm

kraftiekortie wrote:
People with autism are supposed to have difficulty with “executive function.”

In basic terms, “executive function” means “organization.”


True, but difficulty with executive functioning (organizing) doesn't necessarily mean one is not organized. True OCD'ers can be overly organized to the point of it taking over their lives. Simply put, "difficulty with executive functioning" can mean either poorly organized or having too little control over keeping things organized to the point of perfection, which can be just as debilitating.

To the OP's question though, terrible executive functioning (in either direction) isn't necessarily required to qualify for an ASD diagnosis. ASD's are symptom sets that meet certain qualifications. So many from this group, so many from another set, etc. That's what makes us so unique from not only the rest of the world, but also from each other.


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nick007
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02 Jul 2018, 5:04 pm

When I was officially accessed the guy tested my executive function & other things about the way I learn & perform & we never discussed any of my social issues. He determined I had Schizoid Personality Disorder instead of Aspergers which I feel is wrong. I have dyslexia & other related learning disabilities that I feel threw curveballs in my testing. He did also say he felt I had a learning disability but didn't say which one. He also said I had Aspergers personality but it was due to the SPD instead of anything on the autism spectrum.


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kraftiekortie
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02 Jul 2018, 5:09 pm

Nope. It's not in the DSM-V, nor any of the DSM's.

Still, this seems to be rather a salient features of at least some people with autism. Both the "disorganized" and "overly organized" variety.

I don't have "terrible" executive functioning-----but it's probably not on a par with "average." I'm certainly not OCD.



fluffysaurus
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04 Jul 2018, 8:21 am

I am bad at organising, but when I really have to do something well and it's important, I organise it in great detail and this works. I think this might be why ASD is sometimes seen as highly organised, because when we organise it's more obvious than with NT's and we do it to what they see as an extreme level. Really we are just doing it at the level needed for it have a positive effect. Organising at NT level doesn't work for me, it's a waste of time.



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04 Jul 2018, 8:37 am

Do not try to prepare for the testing in advance. Don't even look up the tests in advance. It's not pass or fail. They are trying to get an accurate picture of how your brain interprets things. You don't want to go in there with an idea of what they are looking for. Just relax. Everything they do has a purpose. I researched my tests but only after I got my diagnosis and once I got it I was able to go back and understand why they did all the different tests and what each one was looking for. But if you know in advance, you might try too hard and mess up the results. Just think of it as a series of games to play. That is kind of what it is like and some of them will be hard and some will be easy. Just enjoy playing them. And don't worry if you mess up or don't get them all right. You won't. That is ok. It is just super important that they get an accurate picture of what your brain naturally does well and what it naturally struggles with. There will be parts that test on executive function but it is best if you don't know what is testing for what. Just go, relax, play all the games, enjoy them and don't worry if you can't do all of them.


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