Am I neurotypical?

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I'm wondering whether I have something from ASD. I posted this thread, because I want some help with my diagnosis. I know that you aren't professionals, but still you might give me clues about what I might have.

I have ADHD (self-diagnosed). I also checked with the symptoms of autism and Asperger's, and I don't seem to have any of the conditions - I don't think I'm super-sensitive, and I feel very strongly emotions like pity or remorse - I'd never hurt anyone, I also have a very strong innate desire to say cool things to others (things that they like, like interesting things and funny jokes), so this leads me to the conclusion that I have high empathy (but I might be wrong, because I'm not sure of the definition of "empathy").

Even though I think I'm introverted (though I'm very uncertain), I've always enjoyed social activities, and I've never avoided them. However, since I was a kid, I've been very awkward. It's obvious how many people disliked me just because of this, especially many girls who liked me before they saw my social behavior. I'm incredibly bad at knowledge about fashion (while the other people seem to "feel" it), even though I realize that it's important. I was 16 when I was in love with a girl, and I expected her to think of it in an absolutely rational way (I was unaware of how would the idea "feel" for her, and I thought that she just takes into account whether she would like it or not, or something like that). Sometimes I tell stupid jokes that I don't even find funny. Also, as you can see from this message, my writing style is really bad, and it's like this in every language I use. I often make some failures in social situations, though it's not because of my impulsiveness (coming from my ADHD), but because I'm rather bad at imagining how things look like from the viewpoint of the other people (sometimes I'm able to do it, but I tend to not do it, and I usually can't, if I'm not mistaking here).

I have compared with 2 friends. They are very much like me, and are of the same gender. They seem to have the same ADHD symptoms (especially procrastination, and we are certain that it's procrastination and not simply laziness), though they might have them to a lesser degree. However, they don't have this social problem. One of them is very unsocial, and rarely communicates with most people (but he still doesn't have my issue). My father or mother don't seem to have the same problems, even though my father and his brother seem to have the same ADHD symptoms.

My final conclusion is that it's either something that occurs in just some of the people with ADHD (the mental block seems to be similar), that I have something associated with autism (unlikely, because of the aforementioned reasons, plus the fact that I started speaking first at 8 months or so, and maybe one or two more reasons, I don't really remember), or just that the problem comes from another source, which seems the most likely option, even though Wikipedia said nothing (I think) about other sources of social problems.

It sounds like you might have unreasonable expectations--things like fashion and telling jokes typically require study and practice to become good at. I think this is one reason why girls fall behind boys in school--they devote a lot of time and energy to fashion and fitting in socially.

[quote="Rational"]
I don't think I'm super-sensitive, and I feel very strongly emotions like pity or remorse - I'd never hurt anyone, I also have a very strong innate desire to say cool things to others (things that they like, like interesting things and funny jokes), so this leads me to the conclusion that I have high empathy (but I might be wrong, because I'm not sure of the definition of "empathy").

being hypersensetive isn't necessary for diagnosis, but it's very common
I feel very strong emotions to, we're not robots, and I wouldn't hurt a fly
If you want to find out about your empathy then go try the empathy test http://glennrowe.net/BaronCohen/Empathy ... tient.aspx we always score low

Even though I think I'm introverted (though I'm very uncertain), I've always enjoyed social activities, and I've never avoided them. However, since I was a kid, I've been very awkward. It's obvious how many people disliked me just because of this, especially many girls who liked me before they saw my social behavior. I'm incredibly bad at knowledge about fashion (while the other people seem to "feel" it), even though I realize that it's important.


Some things here are rather NT, you believe fashion is important (we generally don't), you enjoy social activities, you arn't sure you're introverted, being awkward isn't enough.

I was 16 when I was in love with a girl, and I expected her to think of it in an absolutely rational way (I was unaware of how would the idea "feel" for her, and I thought that she just takes into account whether she would like it or not, or something like that). Sometimes I tell stupid jokes that I don't even find funny. Also, as you can see from this message, my writing style is really bad, and it's like this in every language I use. I often make some failures in social situations, though it's not because of my impulsiveness (coming from my ADHD), but because I'm rather bad at imagining how things look like from the viewpoint of the other people (sometimes I'm able to do it, but I tend to not do it, and I usually can't, if I'm not mistaking here).

This is less NT if you can't tell what other people think or see different viewpoints/put yourself in other peoples shoes.

I have compared with 2 friends. They are very much like me, and are of the same gender. They seem to have the same ADHD symptoms (especially procrastination, and we are certain that it's procrastination and not simply laziness), though they might have them to a lesser degree. However, they don't have this social problem. One of them is very unsocial, and rarely communicates with most people (but he still doesn't have my issue). My father or mother don't seem to have the same problems, even though my father and his brother seem to have the same ADHD symptoms.

It's very typical for autistics to have family members with autistic symptoms, my late uncle and grandfather for example, you don't seem to.

My final conclusion is that it's either something that occurs in just some of the people with ADHD (the mental block seems to be similar), that I have something associated with autism (unlikely, because of the aforementioned reasons, plus the fact that I started speaking first at 8 months or so, and maybe one or two more reasons, I don't really remember), or just that the problem comes from another source, which seems the most likely option, even though Wikipedia said nothing (I think) about other sources of social problems.

People with aspergers tend to start speaking at the normal time.
I suspect you have elements of autism, but you're not autistic, perhaps a member of the Broad Autism Phenotype
try this test aswell, they're just for screening, nothing conclusive, but they're helpful. http://www.rdos.net/eng/Aspie-quiz.php

I don't think that a person can tell from anything you write online whether you're autistic or not. But if you have ADHD, you wouldn't be NT.

From OkCupid:

22 on the Empathy Quotitent thingy

From the third test:
Your Aspie score: 121 of 200
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 90 of 200
You seem to have both Aspie and neurotypical traits
http://www.rdos.net/eng/poly12c.php?p1= ... =22&p12=61
(I don't think the detailed report is relevant to the thread)


Well, it is important. I meant fashion to some very basic level, just to know what clothes to wear. It's important to everyone who interacts with people, whether they think it is or not. I'm just accepting obvious facts.

That doesn't mean that I'm not really introverted. I'm not sure because I don't know enough about introversion.

And yes, I obviously and consciously like social interaction. Though there are many times when I don't understand things I'm supposed to, and I feel really awkward. I often avoid social situations because I often just don't know how to act. However, right now I'd like it to just hang out with people. Also, I often like talking with people.

Could you people from the forum (the ones that are officially diagnosed) compare your scores to mine?

I don't remember my Okcupid results exactly, but it was above the cut off point for all area's, an my empathy test was lower then yours

I remember my Aspie quiz was somethingl ike 170/200 for autism, 50/200 for NT, you are very likely autistic.

Perhaps you are simply a member og the broad autism phenotype

i think you should take a close look at the Gillberg criteria for aspergers and give it a good long think.

This is probably the most predictive test for whether you have Asperger's or a similar variety of autism:

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/9.12/aqtest.html

It's my belief that "autism" is kind of a general category that includes a fairly wide variety of conditions.

I got 36. Maybe I really have autism or Asperger's. Oh, dear...

Is there a cure (no medications involved or just medications with no significant side effects and proven effect)? Is there a way for autists or aspies to learn to socialize?

If you are really serious about this then don't self diagnosis, get a damn professional, you can't possibly expect us to explain to you how to socialise when it's taken most of us years of hard work to learn basic things.

There's no cure.

I don't mean to be harsh, but this is serious and life chaning if it's true, don't take it so far when you've only taken online tests, you need a professional before you jump the gun.

Of course. I'll get to a professional as soon as I can. I think I'm supposed to feel depressed now.

@OP

I get around 40 on the test above and 25 on the empathy test but I am an NT as far as I know and am diagnosed with Social Anxiety, Depression, Anxiety and Agoraphobia. So unless my diagnosis is wrong (I don't remember having ever been tested for ASD) I wouldn't rely completely on online tests alone.

There's no cure, because it's not a disease.

I've learned two ways to socialize over the past 50 years:

1. Stick to other aspies. Aspies have no difficulty socializing with each other. This may not work if you aren't aspie; I don't know that it applies to all auties as a group.

2. Learn consciously to analyze neurotypical social games and play them as best you can. This took decades, and still takes a tremendous amount of effort when I do it.


Getting a diagnosis doesn't change who you are.

Aspies are much better at socializing when it involves their special interest. You can also get a "free pass" for acting a little strange by volunteering to do stuff. You may just need practice at social skills--lots of normal folks are clueless on how to dress--watch What Not to Wear on TLC. There are also books you can study on how to dress properly.