Does my friend have autism
Do I Have Symptoms of ASD or Aspergers?
Do I Have Autism? A Test for Adults
Awareness of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has grown dramatically in recent years, which reflects an increase in autism tests and diagnoses — and in the public’s understanding that, even late in life, an autism diagnosis can offer major benefits and relief. Still, symptoms of autism — particularly those previously associated with Aspergers — are still frequently misdiagnosed as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), mood disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and other related conditions — leading to poor treatment and lifelong challenges. If you recognize yourself or a loved one in the following descriptions of autism spectrum disorder, make an appointment with a health care professional to discuss an evaluation test for autism.
This free autism test was adapted from the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) designed to screen the possibility of ASD, and is for personal use only. This is not a diagnostic tool. An accurate diagnosis can only be made through clinical evaluation. This autism test is for personal use only.
Are you always bumping into things, or tripping over your own feet?
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Sometimes
Rarely
Never
Do you talk to friends at a party the same way you would talk to co-workers in the office?
Very Often
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Never
When you’re having a conversation with someone, do you prefer to look at the wall, their shoes, or anywhere but directly into their eyes?
Very Often
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Never
Do you prefer to play individual games and sports like golf, where everyone works for themselves, instead of team sports and games where everyone works toward a common goal?
Very Often
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Never
Did bullies target you in grade school?
Very Often
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Never
Do you have trouble understanding what people mean when they say they feel embarrassed for someone else?
Very Often
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Do you prefer to read non-fiction over fiction books?
Very Often
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Is your memory like a steel trap, even for facts that you don’t fully understand?
Very Often
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Think about your daily routine.
Would you say you follow the same schedule every day of the week, and don’t like unexpected events?
Very Often
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Never
Are expressions like “Curiosity killed the cat” or “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch” odd to you?
Very Often
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Never
Are you really (really) good at a skill like math or music, but struggle to succeed in other areas?
Very Often
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Never
Do people say that you speak like a robot?
Very Often
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Do your family members lovingly refer to you as the “eccentric professor” of the family?
Very Often
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Never
Do you enjoy inventing your own words and expressions that might seem quirky to others?
Very Often
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Never
Have you always wanted a best friend, but never found one?
Very Often
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Never
Even when you’re in a quiet place, like the library, do you find yourself making involuntary noises, like clearing your throat over and over?
Very Often
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Never
Are you always the first one to notice when a friend has gotten a haircut or made a small change to their appearance?
Very Often
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Rarely
Never
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Autism Test Next Steps: Autism Spectrum Disorder In Adults
1. Take the ADHD Test for Adults
2. Read What Does Autism Look Like in Adults?
3. Read: ADHD and Adult Autism: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Interventions for Both
4. Read: How to Get Evaluated for Autism as an Adult
5. Take This Test: OCD in Adults
6. Get the eBook “The Truth About Autism in Adults”
7. Listen to the Webinar: “Could I Be on the Autism Spectrum?”
8. Take This Test The Autism Test from WebMD
9. Read: Say Goodbye to Aspergers Syndrome
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10 reasons people with autism struggle with friendships
Social interactions can be baffling for people that are autistic.
They may become easily overwhelmed or frustrated when they try to develop and sustain friendships. Making friends can be frightening, confusing and anxiety-provoking for autistic young people. There are various reasons why people with autism may find it challenging to make and maintain friendships.
1. They may not know what to say or how to say it.
Conversation can be a difficult minefield for autistic young people. Initiating conversation (finding things to say) can be challenging. Even though they may like to speak about a particular interest, they may be too worried to do so or may be unsure of whether the other person is engaged in the conversation. When people feel especially anxious, they may get tongue-tied or forget what they want to say altogether. This is very true for some people on the spectrum.
2. They may struggle to understand body language, facial expressions and gestures.
They may not realise that being in a certain proximity means people are trying to be friendly.
Also, they may find it difficult to understand why people act friendly towards them, but their body language or gestures to someone else may be different. A lot of people with autism may find it hard to tell a fake friend from a true friend.
3. They may become particularly anxious in certain social situations.
Making friends can cause anxiety because of the high expectations people set and any self-consciousness people with autism may experience. It can be more anxiety-provoking to speak to friends, than to strangers because there is an expectation for the friendship to be in line with other people.
4. Rigidity in the way people with autism can think may make it difficult for them to compromise or cope with changes in routine.
Having a routine provides predictability and comfort; it is a way of reducing anxiety. Therefore, they may struggle if other people change their minds after plans have been arranged or turn up late. This can cause immense frustration.
This can also mean they may struggle to see other people’s perceptions of situations.
5. They may not feel confident in their own abilities.
=Feeling self-conscious, timid and anxious can make it undoubtedly harder for people with autism to establish friendships. If negative self-talk overrides, people will begin to believe they are not as good as others or incapable of at making friends. It can be difficult if people are unaware of their special interests and what they’re looking for in a friend.
6. They may latch on to previous negative experiences and expect the same thing to happen in every friendship.
The breakdown of some friendships can lead to feelings of worthlessness, isolation and cause upset. It can be extremely difficult for a person with autism to move on from past memories and experiences, meaning that they may associate present or future social relationships with previous, negative situations.
7. Disclosing autism to people can be a hard thing to decide.
There are many advantages and disadvantages of disclosing autism to people, including those you want to be friends with. Some people just hear the word ‘autism’ and associate this with a disabling condition. They may not look beyond the ‘label’ and explore the many strengths of the person with autism. This can make it hard for people to make friends as they may not be open-minded or understanding. On the other hand, if two people get on very well, they may have an in-depth understanding of the condition and this would give people a chance to reveal their true colours. It is incredibly frustrating and upsetting if a friendship breaks down because the autism is disclosed, but this can often mean the other person isn’t worth your time and effort.
8. They may appear to be too over-friendly.
People with autism may get easily attached to people, leading them to become over-friendly. It can be difficult to understand other people’s perceptions of situations, therefore what they feel is appropriate, may be considered as socially unacceptable.
This misunderstanding can lead to a difficulty in establishing friendships.
9. They may struggle to understand their own emotions, for example anxiety relating to friendships or jealousy.
They may be very sensitive to other people’s thoughts. They may also find it hard to understand the stages of friendships, which can lead to confused emotions. They may struggle to cope with anxiety that could be linked to them not knowing what to say in conversations. Anxiety can lead to the avoidance of social situations. This can mean the individual with autism becomes socially isolated, meaning they have limited opportunities to make new friends.
10. There is a constant expectation to maintain the friendship.
Keeping in contact with friends can be difficult because people on the autism spectrum may not know how often to contact their friend, and may become upset and disappointed if their friend doesn’t reply for whatever reason. This may cause overwhelming anxiety and frustration.
They may also worry if their friend doesn’t message them very often because they may think they are purposely distancing themselves.
Related links
- Making friends as an autistic young person
- Read more about understanding autism.
- Understand how to include autism everywhere.
- Have a look at our top tips for how to communicate with an autistic young person.
- Our Youth Council members tell us about what it's like to be autistic in their own words.
What you need to know about when communicating with a person who has autism? 10 Important Moments
Image copyright Getty Images
Sharing thoughts and ideas isn't always easy. And if you have autism, then this task becomes even more difficult.
Children's writer Michael Rosen is not the type to leave a problem without a solution.
Rosen asked Alice Rowe is a British writer who writes about autism - about how people with autism see the world and how their perception of the world differs from the "neurotypical".
Alice Rowe herself lives with Asperger's Syndrome. According to her, we should all understand that each of us has our own picture of the world, which is different from how another person sees the world. And everyone has their own unique experience of communicating with the world. If we keep this in mind, then, according to Rowe, we can understand each other better.
Alice Rowe told Michael Rosen about ten features of perception of the world in people with autism, which are typical for them during communication.
1. All people with autism are different but have similar problems
Image copyright, Getty Images
Photo caption,Picture of a puzzle - a symbol of autism
According to the World Health Organization, one of the 160 children in the world are born with an autism spectrum disorder (autism).
In the UK, the percentage of children with autism among newborns is higher than the world average: the disorder is diagnosed in one in a hundred babies.
Autism spectrum disorder affects how a person sees, hears, feels and interacts with the world and people. It can be more difficult for a person with autism to talk to others and recognize signs of communication. In such situations, they experience great anxiety.
Many people with autism spectrum disorder find it difficult to understand speech when background noise is present.
- How a boy with autism became a professor
- "Life with autism": an educational program that is never superfluous
Autism manifests itself differently in different people. Some manifestations of frustration may be much more noticeable than others. Some people with autism can be very loud and outgoing, while others can be quiet and distant.
Some of them prefer to communicate using gestures and signs.
Although many people experience similar communication problems, the impact of these characteristics on their lives can be very different.
2. They may find it difficult to understand other people's speech in background noise
Image copyright, Getty Images
Image caption,How would you feel if we couldn't concentrate on the other person's speech, but could hear everything around you, every sound?
A "neurotypical" person (that is, not suffering from an autism spectrum disorder) can concentrate on what a particular person is saying at the moment, because his brain is able to cut off all sounds and noises not related to the conversation.
But many people with autism are unable to filter the audio stream and are unable to separate background noise from speech. In this case, several sound streams at once - street noise, music, conversations of passers-by - simultaneously compete for their attention.
Hearing what a person is saying can be challenging for someone with autism. He needs much more effort to focus on the speech, and most likely he will have to ask the interlocutor to repeat what was said.
3. People with autism may not pick up cues and cues that other people can easily understand
Photo credit, Getty Images
Image caption,Two-thirds of the information communicated during communication is non-verbal. Try to experiment and during a conversation, "turn off" facial expressions and speak in a monotone. Do you find it easy to express your emotions and thoughts in this way?
People with autism may not perceive nuances such as tone of voice and facial expressions. It is also difficult for them to understand how these nuances change the meaning of what is said.
As a result, people with autism are more likely to take words literally. They find it difficult to understand sarcasm, irony, metaphor, or wordplay.
But do not think that any person with autism is not able to understand the nuances of the conversation. Many are able to learn to read and decipher such non-verbal signals, but this is often quite difficult for them.
4. Context helps understanding
Photo credit, Getty Images
Photo caption,When you say something, don't expect the other person to understand the context, let alone the subtext. Explaining why what you are saying is important will help you understand better and help you communicate.
Sometimes it is difficult for a person with autism to understand the true meaning of what others are saying if they do not have enough information to understand the context. Therefore, it is very important in a conversation with a person with an autism spectrum disorder to give the most complete context for understanding the situation.
Alice gives an example. If you suddenly saw a thrush on the beach of Brighton and exclaimed “Wow, look what a bird!”, then your interlocutor with autism most likely will not understand what exactly you mean.
But if you add: "It is so strange to see a thrush by the sea," then it will be much easier for him.
5. A person with autism has difficulty knowing when to talk to others
Image copyright, Getty Images
Image caption,How to choose the right time to talk?
People with autism tend to have a harder time "reading" some signs in human behavior, understanding gestures and facial expressions, so it's harder for them to decide when to start a conversation and when it's better not to.
If you speak first, invite the person with autism into the discussion and ask direct questions, you will help them decide to speak.
6. People with autism can speak slowly and monotonously
Image copyright, Getty Images
Image caption,"Easy" conversation for some people requires a lot of work
For many people with autism, conversation requires a long and careful reflection.
They may speak very slowly and in a monotone, they may stutter, place emphasis on unexpected words, or go into what we think are unnecessary details.
- Interview: people with autism see the world differently
Since such a conversation usually looks strange for a “neurotypical” person, the interlocutor may be distracted from the conversation with those with autism, stop listening or stop trying to understand what is being said to him .
Therefore, it is very important not to rush the person with autism and listen carefully to your interlocutor.
7. Ease of communication can be apparent
The author of the photo, Getty Images
Image caption, Ease of communication is not something natural; high-functioning autism can easily mimic casual communication. However, while we think they are enjoying the conversation, they are actually doing an incredibly difficult job.
Sometimes they would prefer to write a text message or send an email - for people with autism this is often a less stressful form of communication than a face-to-face conversation.
8. People with autism sometimes express emotions in unexpected ways
The author of the photo, Getty Images
Image caption,The same event or phenomenon can be perceived even by twins in very different ways: it will please one, the other puzzling
People with autism may express their emotions in a way that is unusual for "neurotypical" people or react very unexpectedly to some events, because their perception of what is happening is quite different from the usual one.
For example, Alice recalls that when she got an excellent mark on the exam and entered the university, everyone thought she would be happy. But instead of joy, the girl felt anxiety, because entering the university for her meant that her whole life and her usual daily routine would change.
Sometimes when people with autism are experiencing very strong emotions, it is difficult for them to find words to express their feelings. In this case, they can be helped by asking simple and clear questions.
9. People with autism can repeat the words of the interlocutor
The author of the photo, Getty Images
Image caption,How do you know that you have explained everything well enough?
There are several reasons why they tend to repeat several times some words and phrases said by the interlocutor.
Sometimes they want to show that they heard what was said, but they cannot immediately respond to these words. By repeating what the interlocutor said, they gain time to collect their thoughts.
They may be anxious and need reassurance and reassurance.
When they repeat what you said, it may also mean that you haven't fully answered their question yet.
10. Sometimes texting is better than calling
Image copyright, Getty Images
Image caption,Many people with autism prefer texting to face-to-face communication. And they have good reasons for this
For some people with autism, it is much easier to express their thoughts not out loud, but in writing - communication via text messages and emails may be a more appropriate way for them to have a dialogue.
This gives them time to think about the answer and formulate their thoughts without worrying about having to keep up the conversation.
This way of talking also helps them avoid having to read various non-verbal communication cues that will cause them difficulty.
People with autism tend not to like talking on the phone very much. In this case, they also have to react to what is said very quickly, and background noise can also distract them from the conversation.
Autism "Adult": How to live with autism as an adult
- Eva Ontiveros
- BBC World Service
Image copyright, Getty Images
Image caption,A diagnosis, no matter how late it is, can help a person cope with everyday life with greater confidence
"I was finally able to figure out what was wrong with me. You can't imagine how relieved I felt!" - says Sudhanshu Grover in an interview with the BBC.
"I have two sons with autism and I work with children with autism, but I never knew this was the case for me," says Sudhanshu. She lives in New Delhi and was diagnosed when she was about 40
- Interview: people with autism see the world differently
- "Life with autism": an educational program that is never superfluous
"That explained everything in my life!" echoes Alice Rowe, who was also diagnosed in adulthood.
"I have lived my whole life in anxiety and isolation, feeling that I am different from others. It seemed to me that my life was much less understood than others. It was very comforting and helpful to realize that my problem had a rationale, and that I I'm not alone in this," says Alice, who lives in the UK.
To mark World Autism Awareness Day, the BBC talks about autism and how it can make a difference in people's lives.
Autism in adulthood
Photo credit, Getty Images
Image captionMany people live feeling "different" but don't understand why they feel that way
Get worldwide data on autism spectrum disorders (ASD) ) is often difficult because the condition is not equally recognized and diagnosed in different countries.
According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 160 children worldwide have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but reliable global data for adults are not yet available.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that in the United States, where data has been collected systematically, 2.21% of the adult population has ASD.
WHO describes ASD as a developmental disorder that affects communication and behavior and can be diagnosed at any age.
Autism refers to a whole range of such disorders: each person with autism has different combinations of autistic traits with varying degrees of intensity.
- How a boy with autism became a professor
It is usually discovered in childhood because symptoms usually appear in the first two years of life, but many people only realize they are living with autism into adulthood or are not diagnosed at all.
Late diagnosis is especially common in women. One reason for this may be that women are often better at copying the social cues they see around them, hiding or masking unusual behavior from those around them.
It is important to note that autism is not a disease. The brain of a person with ASD works differently than the brains of other people, according to the website of the British National Health Service.
There is no cure for autism - if you have autism, it's for life - but people with ASD can greatly benefit from the right support, tailored to their specific needs.
Why are not all cases of ASD detected?
Image copyright, Getty Images
Image caption"ASD is a complex condition that can't be 'seen'," says Alice
Sudhanshu Grover is the director of education services at Action for Autism, an Indian non-profit organization.
"My children were diagnosed 20 years ago, at the age of three. That's why I started working with children with autism," says Sudhanshu. "But I myself never thought that I could also have autism."
For two decades, Sudhanshu has worked with children and parents to help them better understand autism.
- Living with autism: at what age is it not too late to expect success?
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It wasn't until she was 48 that she began to wonder if she might also have autism.
“I started noticing how difficult it was for me to communicate with people and how difficult it was for them to understand things the way I wanted them to… or they understand things differently than I do,” she says. “It was generally difficult for me to communicate and make friends… I thought it was all about shyness. When I got along with people, I did it well, so I always had one or two close friends, but never large groups of acquaintances.
"
But more and more often Sudhanshu realized that communication was not easy for her: "I just went dumb when the situation was too tense. Or I analyzed it too carefully."
By now, Sudhanshu knew enough about autism to know that it doesn't just affect children, and that many adults may not be aware of their diagnosis for life.
"Given the opportunities, conditions and benefits available to people with autism in India, I knew that at my age I would not be diagnosed in a public hospital," says Sudhanshu, "so I had to turn to a private company."
"It's been almost a year and a half and I'm still trying to figure out what it means to me. I haven't fully realized it yet, but I've been able to understand why sometimes I act the way I do," she says.
In the end, there were positive aspects to this diagnosis.
"I work with children with autism. When parents ask how their children's lives might turn out, I tell them about my own autism.
I'm very open about this because I think things will change when people start paying more attention." what you do. It makes everyone's life easier," says Sudhanshu.
Fighting prejudice
Photo by Sanjiv Soni
Image captionSilvia Moraa Mochabo: "Autism diagnosis can label you in society and not everyone is willing to bear the burden"
"On the African continent it is very difficult for adults to simply accept this diagnosis," Silvia Moraa Mochabo tells the BBC. "Autism is still perceived as a stigma in society."
Sylvia is a technology entrepreneur in Kenya and founder of Andy Speaks 4 Special Needs Persons Africa.
Under the pseudonyms Ms. Africa Elite 2020, Ms. Africa United Nation 2020 and Ms. Elite Face of Africa 2020 she also leads an outreach campaign on neurodevelopmental disorders and autism.
"Lack of knowledge leads to a lack of diagnosis at a later age.
In three years, I have only been aware of three cases of autism in adults. But doctors do not even diagnose children, and we lack early diagnosis," Silvia adds.
Two of her three sons have autism and Sylvia worries that they won't be able to live a full life because "bearing the stigma of being autistic is still a very serious problem for an adult."
- Living with autism: a sensational study on supereducation
Natalia works in the media and was diagnosed with ASD in adulthood. She does not want to reveal her full name because it has already affected her work in the past.
"We all have dreams and a desire to succeed in life... it doesn't go away because we're different. We all share the same basic feelings and aspirations," she says.
"I know quite a few people who just live without an official diagnosis. They know that they are different from others, but they have enough opportunities to adapt," adds Natalia.
Image copyright, Getty Images
Image caption,"Autism affects how a person thinks, so it's hard to diagnose based on someone's thoughts," says Alice
But Sylvia says it's worse not to know what's happening to you: "The curriculum of our doctors does not address ASD in detail. So when they see a patient with certain characteristics - a child or an adult - they may not think that it is autism. As a result, the diagnosis is not made, and people continue to live with this disease without even understanding what it is."
"In our culture, if you engage in certain behaviors, you will be labeled as 'mentally ill'," Sylvia says. "It carries a lot of negative connotations, so it's not surprising that people tend to avoid this stigma and look for other coping mechanisms to cope with problems, but what if there is no such possibility?
- Autism in the lens: one day of Ilya
According to Sylvia, reaching adulthood with undiagnosed autism can make life very difficult for a person.
"If students with certain problems are not helped, they are more likely to drop out. By the time you are an adult, you have already been labeled as 'stubborn' or 'stupid' and no one thinks that autism can be the reason for this ".
However, for many in Africa, being diagnosed with autism is "terrible news," Sylvia says. "However, this does not mean a disaster," she says. "We must continue to work with this person in order to bring out his best side."
Sylvia says that she knows from her work and her own experience as a parent that acceptance of people with autism for who they are is key for both the individual and society.
"What do you need? Help with sensory issues? Speech therapist? You must have access to the right treatment if you want to be more active in the community. It's impossible to support a person or look for the right treatments if you don't understand what they need and what they experience," she says.
Why diagnose an adult?
Image copyright, Getty Images
Image caption,"The benefit of a diagnosis is a better relationship," says Alice
"I would advise all adults who think they may have a disease on the ASD spectrum to get a diagnosis because it gives a deeper understanding of the problem. When you know what you are facing, you can be better prepared for the problems you are going to face." collide," says Sylvia.
Sudhanshu agrees: "Now I realize that I know people who were no different from me, but got higher grades or more success in life because they didn't have to deal with the features and disadvantages of such a life on a daily basis."
- What should you be aware of when communicating with a person with autism? 10 Great Moments
"There was so much going on in my head but I could never figure it out. There were things I really couldn't do, so now that I've been diagnosed, I feel so much better" - she says with relief.
Alice Rowe, a writer and entrepreneur who was diagnosed at 23, understands the relief.
"I would feel a lot less isolated and unhappy if I knew there were other people who felt the same way as me. As a teenager, I felt very alone," says Alice.
Image copyright, Getty Images
Image caption,Alice: "My friends now realize that I need a lot of time to myself and I don't mind spending too little time with them"
That's it inspired her to create The Curly Hair Project, a social project to support people with autism and their loved ones.
"Probably a lot of people don't get diagnosed at an early age because they think everyone has the same problems and they just have to 'try their best,'" says Alice.
- How new therapy will change how we communicate with children with autism
Sometimes "people with autism don't even realize that they are 'different', and some may even deny it, so they take their time getting a diagnosis," she adds.
Alice's diagnosis really helped: "My friends now understand me better and we have a stronger relationship. I also feel that I can be myself among people, pretending to be like them less. For good mental health, this is really important ".
Understanding the "invisible state"
Photo copyright, Getty Images
Image caption,"It would be nice if more people accepted rather than condemned this state," says Sudhanshu
"It's hard to explain to people that I have some problems because they don't see them. My diagnosis came as a surprise to many of my old friends and acquaintances," says Alice.
Sudhanshu agrees. "Without understanding these features, everyday life is difficult. And even if you have a diagnosis, people don't always understand them."
"There are a lot of things that can be difficult to deal with: noise, smells, crowded places... when you have autism, life can be very difficult because even simple everyday things give you away," adds Sudhanshu.
"Some problems are so trivial that others can't even imagine that they are really problems," says Alice. a slight change in plans can ruin your whole day and keep you awake at night, or that it might not be obvious to you how to use the turnstile because you can't figure out where to drop your ticket and which turnstile to go through?"
- Living with autism: is it worth the risk to have another baby
In some ways, restrictions during a pandemic can help people who don't have autism understand what it's like to be stressed when someone invades your personal space or touches your things.
"Now everyone understands how people like me live!" Alice says.
"I've always been hygienic, and it's physically more comfortable for me to be two meters away from others," she adds.
Help yourself
Photo copyright, Getty Images
Image caption,"We all have the same feelings and aspirations," says Natalia
"Diagnosis is not the answer to all your problems, but in some cases it can be useful if it helps to get help or be understood by others," says Natalia.
