AS traits - Neither autistic or neurotypical -inconclusive

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Ok so basically, a couple of years ago, I had an assessment. I have close relatives with asperger/autism too. I've been told that I have AS traits but not enough to say yes or no. Has anyone else, ever have this unusual outcome? then a straight forward yes you're autistic or no you're neurotypical?

I've been advised to possibly seek a second opinion. I've enquired and awaiting to see, after my original assessment notes get looked at, if i'd be forwarded and put on the waiting list for another assessment, which will take a least a year. I'm sceptical incase it's a complete waste of my time yet again or i'd be told again it's inconclusive.

I'm on the waiting list for an evaluation too, and I too am concerned about this possibility. I do know I have plenty of autistic traits, to a sufficient degree to have put significant constraints on how I've lived my life, but I have doubts that even the best-qualified experts have developed adequate methodology for evaluating older adults, especially older women, and especially people like me who have adapted in unusual ways.

The diagnostic criteria for ASD are inherently fuzzy, subjective, and somewhat arbitrary. See, for example: Can Social Pragmatic Skills Be Tested?. No matter how ASD is officially defined, there will always be people on the boundary.

IMO, if you're on the boundary, this says much more about the current state of the psychotherapeutic establishment than it says about you.

There's an autism center near where I live----near the Clearview Expressway on Hillside Avenue.

Imagine if I could work there after I retire? I would be able to walk to work!! !!

This thread belongs in "General Autism". Not here in the PPR.

At least they gave you an honest answer, which means they are being scientific about their diagnostic process. In other places they might have tried to give you a definite no on the same basis, just so you won't question them. Perhaps they recognize that they didn't have enough time to spend on you and think a second opinion might solve that problem?

Diagnosis in women can be tricky. On the other hand, what it often boils down to is whether you need a diagnosis or not - whether you are functioning in life or not.

To the OP: in my book, if you have even some autistic traits, you are probably very high functioning autistic.

I got this result on the online test. I've decided that since it's been so helpful to me to think about my behaviors in terms of being autistic, I'll keep doing so, but I probably won't go in for an official assessment unless my current stability in life starts to fall apart.

For me it likely means - autistic but not requiring any autism-related services. Psychiatry did not really explore this area, as diagnosis is intended to direct you to further services, not to help you understand yourself.

If the keywords of autism explain your life better than the standard emotions, use them.

Thank you all for your responses. I do apologise, I don't know why this post came under the category religion and politics, I didn't select that, it automatically went on that when I clicked on new topic and posted this thread.

It's interesting to hear everyones opinions, i'm assuming i'm either high functioning or they think i'm able enough to go without help and support, although I needed help and support with education when I was younger and I have issues with anxiety and socialising as well as understanding sometimes. I can live a relatively normal life, with a bit of help and support and diagnosed with dyspraxia as a kid. I haven't heard back from them yet, in regards to seeking a second opinion, they'll look at my original assessment, speak to people about it, then decide if they'll put me on a waiting list for a second opinion. I'm however, now under a team for aspergers through social services and go to an art group for those with aspergers.

Sounds to me, that from what you've all said. I think you're right! they were being scientific about the diagnosis in a way, as they stated what could or couldn't be classed as being autistic or not and they were indepth, also it's true from what you've all said about a diagnosis in women is trickier, i'm a women so that makes sense.

It's interesting that some of you have done an online test and others have had an actual diagnosis. It's more helpful tbh speaking to those with experiences of autism or actual diagnosis then these professionals that don't have autism.

As from what others have said, I do feel as if in life I would need help with certain things, I can fill out forms for example with my name and personal details but when it comes to some questions, I may misunderstood or misinterpret some things, I know how to handle money but would need help with things such as taxes.


(Edited)
Thank you for all of those that have responded. It's interesting to hear what others thoughts are and also, I wanted to see whether or not anyone else has experienced or been through anything similar.

I was diagnosed with AS in 2012, but recently took the rdos test and was told I'm significantly more NT than ND.

For those of us in the iffy in-between category, whether because we haven't been officially diagnosed yet, or because we've received an inconclusive diagnosis, or because we feel that we've been misdiagnosed, or if we just happen to have lots of autistic traits, to a sufficient degree to put significant constraints on our lives, yet are not deemed (under current diagnostic criteria, at least) to be QUITE disabled enough to qualify for an ASD diagnosis:

I would suggest that we refer to ourselves as "autistic-like" or, perhaps, "at least autistic-like."

Even if we are deemed to be not quite "autistic," it is in our interests to do what we can to help make the world more autistic-friendly, or to help build autistic-friendly subcultures, since these goals will directly benefit us too.

Same as myself I guess then, see my sig. Never formally diagnosed, but I’m sure I have traits, mainly just the restricted interests.

Honestly though, I think saying having traits is just a nicer way of saying you have mild autism, pdd-nos, is, after all, a wastebasket term for that. I may be wrong about this but if you have the “restricted and repetitive behaviours” that basically means you’re on the spectrum, even if you can look after yourself, and have normal intelligence (compared to classmates and workmates). Guess you just have to ask yourself if that applied to you, if it does, then you technically have an ASD but not in the same way that most think it.

Like “Mild, high-functioning autism” would apply here. Didn’t even believe I had it for ages.

There is the notion of "Broad Autism Phenotype (BAP), which might fit the bill?

I was actually thinking of something narrower than "Broad Autism Phenotype (BAP)." See, for example, Defining the broader, medium and narrow autism phenotype among parents using the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) by Sally Wheelwright, Bonnie Auyeung, Carrie Allison, and Simon Baron-Cohen, 2010.

I would expect that a majority of professors and programmers, for example, would fit the "Broad Autism Phenotype," but that only a small minority would be "autistic-like" enough to have a strong need for a more autistic-friendly world than now exists.

I myself definitely fit the "Narrow Autism Phenotype." (AQ score 36.) I also have glaringly obvious autistic traits. The only question is whether I am diagnosable, due to my unusual adaptations and due to the lack of much info about my childhood.

Last edited by Mona Pereth on 09 Nov 2018, 4:25 pm, edited 2 times in total.

My AQ testing score has consistently been 28, which puts me in an in-between category. I took the test ten years ago, when I was significantly less functional than I am today and more recently. I still scored in the in-between range.

“Broad Autistic Phenotype” fits the bill and “autistic light” is more understandable.The problem with “autism light” is that autism light is already equated with Aspergers and High Functioning Autism which is causing people that need assistance to be dismissed as snowflake excuse making attention seekers.