Re-write the AQ test

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Here's your chance to rewrite the AQ test so that it's YOU (or otherwise catching ASD types). Someone recently suggested to me that the future is to recognize various phenotypes of ASD. These might be categorized separately, but in the meantime, all should be included.

Here's my first go at it (1-10 excerpt from https://psychology-tools.com/test/autis ... m-quotient) my remarks italicized.

Anybody want to rewrite these Qs or others?

I am the over(/under)-Everything phenotype (overexpressive, oversensitive emotionally and physically, over outgoing --- and on occasion just as under for each)

1. I prefer to do things with others rather than on my own. (implies NT, my answer is "yes")
I prefer to do things with others and do not need it to be my way or else following established rules. (my type of ASD).

2. I prefer to do things the same way over and over again. (implies ASD, my answer is "no")
I am compelled to do things the same way over and over again. (my type of ASD) I don't prefer it: I would prefer to be flexible.

3. If I try to imagine something, I find it very easy to create a picture in my mind. (implies NT, I don't know how to answer)
I am confused by this... I have an immediate sense of it but I have to consider parts of it separately to be able to "see" and describe it... is that a "picture" or not? is that "easy" or not?

4. I frequently get so strongly absorbed in one thing that I lose sight of other things. (implies ASD, my type)

5. I often notice small sounds when others do not. (implies ASD, my type)

6. I usually notice car number plates or similar strings of information. (implies ASD, my answer is "no")
I usually notice or unconsciously absorb car number plates or similar strings of information. (my ASD type) I don't know that I've noticed until there's a reason it comes up and then it's clear I have that information... somehow.

7. Other people frequently tell me that what I’ve said is impolite, even though I think it is polite. (implies ASD, my answer is "no")
Other people frequently tell me or imply that what I’ve said is impolite, even though I think it is polite. (my ASD type) I am a "sweet" woman so I am not told I am impolite, I am shunned, there is gossip about my selfishness, etc.

8. When I’m reading a story, I can easily imagine what the characters might look like. (implies NT, see #3)

9. I am fascinated by dates. (implies ASD, my BFF's type, I answer "no")
(I answer "yes" to the numbers Q so I am covered. I like the numbers organized within a date (12/11/21), but not the date; I don't particularly care that's is the 11th day of December or 12th day of November depending on your whereabouts). That's not what the Q meant, right?

10. In a social group, I can easily keep track of several different people’s conversations. (implies NT, I answer "yes")
In a social group, I can easily keep track of several different people’s conversations at one time. (ASD, my type) I like to listen to different conversations, and I keep track of the one I am listening to (thinking about), but then am oblivious to the one in front of me.

WARNING: SPOILER ALERT (sorry I missed doing that in my first post)

11. I find social situations easy. (implies NT, not my type)
(I take it that "most" is implied; albeit with some ASD folks it is easier, and as I unmask it's even easier with some trusted NT folks)

12. I tend to notice details that others do not. (implies ASD, my type)
(I take it that "many" is implied; albeit others notice some details that I don't)

13. I would rather go to a library than to a party. (implies ASD, my answer is reluctantly "yes")
I would more likely to be found at a library rather than a party. (my type of ASD) I don't prefer it: I would prefer to be social but it's difficult for so many reasons.

14. I find making up stories easy. (implies NT, not my type)
I thought I did, until I tried.

15. I find myself drawn more strongly to people than to things. (implies NT, my answer is "yes")
Perhaps a different question about the type and degree of "drawn"... (ASD, my type) I am fascinated by people: I took acting, studied psychology and communications (typical for a certain set of ASD). I want to exchange information and learn. People are often overwhelmed by my questions and intensity. I recently blurted out at work that "I love people" and realized how odd that was.

Hmm, I'm not sure how I would rewrite it, but I could give my answers and thoughts on each question, I hope that's alright. Not entirely certain of where I am in relation to the spectrum (or not, as the case may be), possibly BAP.

1. I prefer to do things with others rather than on my own.

Depends on what would be the most beneficial in the situation. For instance, it's easier to make a short film if you're working with others than creating it all by yourself. Working with people who have different skill-sets, especially those which compliment your own, can definitely help.

However, I also do solo-projects, and I'm happy to work on my own. If I had a choice to work with someone VS alone, then it would highly depend on who it was. Generally, I prefer to do things alone, unless I make a connection with the people involved.

2. I prefer to do things the same way over and over again.

Well, I can be predictable in a sense, yes. However, I wouldn't consider myself entirely rigid. I find that I am more likely to stick to a familiar pattern when it comes to new and/or stressful situations. When I am at ease, I deal with change calmly and have no problem switching things around.

3. If I try to imagine something, I find it very easy to create a picture in my mind.

Typically, yes. However, there are some exceptions. If I'm familiar with what I'm picturing, then I often have no issue.

4. I frequently get so strongly absorbed in one thing that I lose sight of other things.

Frequently? No. Enough times that it's noticeable? Yes.

5. I often notice small sounds when others do not.

Unless I'm too busy focusing on something else. People have joked that I have radar hearing or that I must secretly be related to a werewolf.

6. I usually notice car number plates or similar strings of information.

Nope. Absolutely not. I find it hard to memorise numerical information. That's why when I'm imagining a car in my mind, I can't look directly at the number plate. I can imagine all of the other outer details (not including the inside of the hood) but the plate is either blank or complete nonsense. Add on my visual processing issues (I read numbers the wrong way around sometimes, 42 as 24 etc.) and certain problems with short term memory...well, it makes recalling such information difficult. If someone were to recite it to me verbally, then I might stand a better chance. Usually I don't notice such information.

7. Other people frequently tell me that what I’ve said is impolite, even though I think it is polite.

Not frequently, but it's certainly happened before. Especially if it's early in the morning.

8. When I’m reading a story, I can easily imagine what the characters might look like.

So long as the author is consistent.

9. I am fascinated by dates.

Hmm. Probably not. I like to compare when two coins were made sometimes, but generally I have little to no interest in dates.

10. In a social group, I can easily keep track of several different people’s conversations.

Nah. I'm usually fairly bad at this. Sometimes when I'm in a cafe` talking to someone in front of me, I'll zone out without meaning to and end up listening to a completely irrelevant conversation going on at another table. My focus will just zip around the room, taking in random segments out of conversations. It'll go like this:

Person I'm talking with: So, I would say that my classes-

Someone else in the room: and that's why I'm investing in some new power tools for the-

Another person: anyway, that's why I dumped him.

Yet another: I really think I have a chance at-

The person I'm having a conversation with: So, what do you think about that?

I've had to explain to people before that I'm not bored of them, my brain is just doing a 360 around the room for no apparent reason. Once I was in a pub and someone asked me a question about philosophy, I was about to answer but I couldn't think clearly because of all the random segments I was flicking between. I told them "Uh, sorry, it's not that I don't know, I just can't filter everything out right now, give me a moment".

This is why I prefer conversations with either one other person, or a few. Big groups (or being near a big group) can be an absolute nightmare, I end up flicking between multiple conversations and not gaining a full understanding of any of them.

11. I find social situations easy.

Really depends on what the situation is. A small discussion with fellow creative students? Sure, no problem. A big conversation in a crowded room with lots of stimuli? That's more difficult.

12. I tend to notice details that others do not.

Either I'm oblivious for a couple of months, or I notice more or less instantly. There's not much of an in-between.

13. I would rather go to a library than to a party.

Generally, yes. Don't get me wrong though, I like to hang out with people and I do enjoy music. But parties can definitely be tiring. I prefer a more relaxed get together over a party.

14. I find making up stories easy.

Yep.

15. I find myself drawn more strongly to people than to things.

Hmm. Well, I enjoy learning about psychology, but generally...I'd be inclined to disagree. The kinds of people that I tend to be drawn to are usually more interest-driven also. I care about others, but I do find myself relating to fictional characters more often than people in real life. My interests tend to be solo-activities, but if I do connect with someone whilst working with them then we'll both find our ideas running away with us if we're not careful.

Thanks for playing.

12. I tend to notice details that others do not.

Either I'm oblivious for a couple of months, or I notice more or less instantly. There's not much of an in-between.

The test is alright with me.
Aside from the compulsion vs preferences, there's also inclinations, how often the compulsion is act upon vs preferences, optional conditional states (exhausted/drunk/hyper/on meds/alone/overwhelmed/etc..) Could be fun. But that's just an idea.


I won't contribute at rewriting AQ questions;
I'm a fluctuating type, swinging between AS 'types', in varying time and state as opposed to, say, aging and life stages.
In varying dimensions; social, behavioral, sensory, executive function, even aptitudes.

Yet all still fit within the spectrum; I can become your verbal-sensitive-social-shy/fleeing-clumsy-unreliable feminine aspie; or your less verbally inclined-insensitive-asocial-with this get on with it attitude-reliable-straight to the point aspie.
Or something else entirely at that given day or hour along with what I just ate 3 days ago, or heck also along the at the current moon phases. I don't know. I may have this annoyingly super sensitivity causes this apparent lack of consistency of self.


Many of my answers would 'ranged' than flat out 'yes/no' or even 'strong-weak yes/strong-weak no' even basing it on how frequent the 'occurrence'. Though, changing the answer choices to 'ranged' isn't exactly a good idea -- some autistics prefers the lack of range and ambiguity... Unless 'ranged' answers are just an option of input, but that would be a headache to program.

Otherwise, many of answers are contradictory within close timeframes, yet still never gets closer to NT ranges.

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Lose more time here - Updates at least once a week.

It seems to me some people will over intellectualise the questions , and what they are asking . Having said that perhaps there should be separate AQ tests for men and women .

@firemonkey, LOL, teasing: "over" intellectualizing?! I am just trying to answer the Qs correctly. I don't want anyone saying I misunderstood or exaggerated. LOL. TY for your input. How does your score fluctuate? (assuming that you've taken the AS more than 5 times or so)

@Lost_dragon, was your initial score as it is now?

@SharonB

I took a slightly longer version this time. My score was 28, slightly lower than the usual 29 or 30, but not by much. Still in the same range.

"Your score was 28 out of a possible 50.

Scores in the 26-32 range indicate some Autistic traits (Aspergers Syndrome)".

https://psychology-tools.com/test/autis ... m-quotient

I am definitely a hypersensitive person. My sense of smell, hearing ability and taste buds are all heightened. Sometimes I am described as an animated person (unless I have a heavy workload, then in which case not so much). I can be a little jumpy if you sneak up on me, and have a tendency to jump in the air when I'm annoyed. A few years ago I had a bunch of video outtakes from a video I made. In quite a few of them, I mess up my lines or the camera is set up incorrectly. Upon noticing the mistake, I momentarily jump, exclaim "dammit" (among other terms) and hand gesture punching downwards. This is a fairly common reaction that I have when frustrated.

Usually I can't always tell you when something happened, but can describe the other details well. So I can tell you what people were wearing, what was said, how the chairs felt, what I could smell etc but I've no idea when it happened. I sometimes end up getting days mixed up.

There are moments where I can't accurately pinpoint my mood, so I describe the physical sensations instead. I am surprised sometimes by how often people accurately understand what I'm trying to communicate. "Hmm, my emotion feels like there's a box inside me compressing inwards, shrinking then growing in size, about to explode outwards", "Built-up stress?" "...I think so, yes". There are certain visuals and textures I associate with certain emotions. If I can't think of how to describe my emotion in a word in that exact moment, I'll compare how I feel physically to something else, usually an object.