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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.

Many of us, including myself, are very unorganized and are diagnosed with autism. I think it has to do with the frequent ADHD that accompanies autism.

Diagnosticians are looking more for social symptoms, special interests, and sensory sensitivities. My evaluation was very thorough and discussed my childhood, tested my IQ, administered the ADOS, and had me fill out a long questionnaire about emotional symptoms. It was a long process that took a couple sessions, and I was given the autism diagnosis as well as ADHD and mental illness comorbids.

Let us know how your evaluation goes or if you have more questions.

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

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

@Twilightprincess
Oh yeah. They mentioned they ADOS. I was really nervous during the initial interview which makes me more nervous because I didn't say much or explain well what was going on because I wasn't sure what I should mention. I guess the rest will come in the more formal interview. I didn't even know there would be more than one.

@kraftiekortie

Thanks. Whenever I mentioned I thought I was autistic oftentimes my family would bring out how disorganized I am as if that disproved it, which sort of ended up confused me so I wanted to check with people who were experienced

I was nervous, too. Probably everyone is that goes in for an evaluation. Try to relax and be yourself. It doesn’t matter if you clam up, though. They know what to look for and how to read you. When they ask a question, they aren’t always concerned about what you say but how you say it.

Don’t read up on the test. Don’t try to prepare except for thinking of specific symptoms or struggles you’ve experienced. Maybe your parents can tell you something about your childhood that you can relate to them.

Just don’t research the ADOS too much. Just let it happen.

They probably don’t know that much about autism. My family didn’t until they read up on it. The media doesn’t always give an accurate representation of what it is.

They don't tell you what they're looking at or why. Many of the exercises that you do really aren't clear why you're doing them, but I do believe that they have a purpose.


As for organisation, I'm often very messy and disorganised too in many aspects of my life. And yet, at the same time, I crave patterns and order.

It's like, from an organisational perspective, I live in the extremes. A total mess, or total order. Not often something in the middle.

@Twilightprincess
I'll try to not look up about it then. My tendency is to research everything, but I understand why it may be better to not. It doesn't help my anxiety that they were supposed to call to schedule another appointment by Friday and did not, but they probably forgot. I think next time I'll be a little bit less nervous because it won't be a new person anymore. Thanks for your advice

Yeah I like to do things in a certain order and do certain things the same everyday but they aren't necessarily productive or organized things just things I like to do. there are productive things and I do them in the same order everyday mostly walking the dog showering etc but other things sort of fall into chaos and I have a hard time keeping up with them

Sure thing!

These places are usually pretty busy, so they might have to schedule you out further.

I will say that you’ll probably find the test rather awkward. That’s totally fine and normal (especially if you have ASD). Just take it as it comes and laugh about it later. They see all sorts of awkward situations regularly and won’t be at all embarrassed.

Tell us how it goes.

Here's a good article on executive functioning. There's a bit more to it than organisation.
https://www.understood.org/en/learning- ... ing-issues

One other thing: ASD is a spectrum disorder. And by spectrum, I don't mean it's a line - it's more like a scatter graph. There are many traits associated with it, of which Executive Function is only one. Everyone with ASD is going to have each trait to a different degree, or may not have some of the traits at all.

It's been quoted here before that if you've met one Aspie then...well...you've met just one Aspie.

That’s what I told my mom!!

I know that...note that I said it was only “basic”—executive function=organization

Parents don’t always understand. In social situations, my parents always thought I should try harder when I was actually trying as hard as I could! They’ve been much more understanding since I got my diagnosis.

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