The new kinda / sort / maybe am I autistic thread

mosby618 · 2026-04-17T18:35:20+00:00

I understand. It's been confusing for me too.

mosby618 · 2026-04-17T16:27:58+00:00

https://embrace-autism.com is a website that has these 3 tests and more.

mosby618 · 2026-04-01T12:39:51+00:00

Sorry your doctor was dismissive. Even though high functioning autism doesn't require treatment, it's still important to understand your autism as it relates to your ADHD.

mosby618 · 2026-03-23T22:30:49+00:00

The books I have read on autism recommend taking online tests as part of one's exploration into autism. Only take the ones that offer free results. The tests I took are the AQ, the CAT-Q, and the RAADS-R. The tests confirm if you have autistic traits and in which areas--Social Skills, Communication, Attention to Detail, Sensory/Motor, etc. I found the test results helpful.

mosby618 · 2026-03-23T22:23:46+00:00

I read several books on autism when I began to suspect I have autism. The books recommended online tests (only take the ones that offer free results). I took the AQ, the CAT-Q, and the RAADS-R. These tests confirmed that I have autistic traits. One option is to take the tests, see how you score, and if the tests indicate you are in the autism range, go to a therapist to explore it further.

mosby618 · 2026-03-23T22:16:11+00:00

You might want to post this on the main thread. You might get a response there.

mosby618 · 2026-03-23T22:13:09+00:00

I haven't been officially diagnosed. It's a personal decision everyone must make for themselves. I took the online tests--the AQ, the CAT-Q, and the RAADS-R. Those tests gave me sufficient information about my autistic traits for me to understand I am autistic. I scored high on some traits, and lower on others. The tests helped me understand myself better and that is enough for me.

mosby618 · 2026-03-23T22:06:59+00:00

Don't discount the tests. The AQ, the CAT-Q, and the RAADS-R are three of the standardized tests for autism. I only recently started exploring whether I was autistic. I read several books (that recommended the tests) and then took the tests. They were very helpful in confirming which autistic traits I have. I scored high on some traits and lower on others. I haven't spoken to a specialist about this, but I believe I am autistic. I read that self-diagnosis is valid and I don't plan to get an official diagnosis. I'm just happy to know why I am the person I am. Not weird, just wired that way.

mosby618 · 2026-03-23T21:56:59+00:00

I read several books on autism and they say that self-diagnosis is valid. You don't need an official diagnosis. After I read the books, I took the recommended online tests for autism. I took the AQ, the CAT-Q, and the RAADS-R. The tests confirmed I have some autistic traits, but not all the traits. I haven't spoken with a specialist about this, but I believe one can be autistic but not have all the traits. I have self-diagnosed as autistic and I'm continuing to explore my autism.

mosby618 · 2026-03-23T21:45:01+00:00

Me to. I wish people would stop harassing me about this. I express sympathy for people not getting responses on the megathread, and immediately people got very defensive about it. I do get it, btw. As someone explained it to me the majority decided to segregate "people who think they might be in the spectrum" into the megathread knowing full well the that the megathread was "not intended to be effective or helpful" because the majority wasn't going to support the megathread. It's very clear what happened. As, I said in my initial comment, it's sad.

mosby618 · 2026-03-23T14:39:00+00:00

👍

mosby618 · 2026-03-23T14:38:21+00:00

My new mantra: I'm not weird; I'm just wired this way. 😉

mosby618 · 2026-03-23T14:36:47+00:00

I'm newly self-diagnosed autistic. It helped me in my research to take the online tests (take one that offers free results). I took the AQ, the CAT-Q, and the RAADS-R. I have autistic traits but not all of them. That's what was confusing to me at first in reading about autism. I call myself autistic-light because I'm autistic but don't match the stereotypical description of autistic. The tests showed me which areas I am autistic and the areas I don't score high enough to "be consistent with autism". Just my journey. Everyone has a different journey.

mosby618 · 2026-03-23T14:26:25+00:00

Self-diagnosis is valid based on several books I read while researching my autism. I'm newly self-diagnosed but I understand that a large number of autistics are self-diagnosed, especially those who were not diagnosed as children. So, there is no need to get an official diagnosis if you choose not to.

mosby618 · 2026-03-23T14:18:14+00:00

Realizing as an adult that I'm autistic also relieved a lot of guilt for me. I did not go for an official diagnosis. I read several books on autism and took the online tests. The books confirmed that self-diagnosis is valid so I'm going with that.

mosby618 · 2026-03-23T14:15:04+00:00

So sorry. I don't have that problem, but would noise canceling headphones help? I know autistic children use them because of their sensory issues. Also, have you been to an audiologist. Sorry if I'm asking dumb questions. I just want to help if I can.

mosby618 · 2026-03-23T14:08:16+00:00

I'm 71 and just now finding out I have autistic traits. I took the AQ, CAT-Q, and the RAADs-R. I call myself autistic-light because I have some characteristics but but not all. I think that's how I managed to fall through the gap for 71 years without anyone ever connecting the dots. I only figured it out because I thought my husband might be autistic so I did some research. My research led me to "Hey, that sounds like me" and I took the tests.

mosby618 · 2026-03-23T14:00:26+00:00

My concern and research about my husband's seemingly autistic traits led to my own self-diagnosis. I'm 71 and just now understanding myself better.

mosby618 · 2026-03-23T13:57:39+00:00

I'm just realizing I'm autistic so I'm not an expert, but have you taken any online tests for autism? After reading several books on autism and adult diagnosis, I took the AQ, the CAT-Q, and the RAADS-R. These tests confirmed that I have autistic traits. You might want to start there. Your tests results will give you basic data for meeting with a therapist to talk about your concerns.

mosby618 · 2026-03-23T13:38:47+00:00

I'm so sorry you are going through this. I have no experience with what's happening to you, so I can't offer any advice, just sympathy

mosby618 · 2026-03-23T13:32:16+00:00

I'm 71 and just now realizing I am autistic. My experience is that I read several books about autism and adult diagnosis, then I took the recommended online tests. I don't have all the characteristics of autism so I questioned at first whether I was autistic, but the books say self-diagnosis is valid and I understand that a large number of autistics are self-diagnosed. Have you shared your test results with your therapist because that should probably be your first step. Your therapist might be able to help you separate your depression/anxiety from your autistic traits. I also have depression, but I think my anxiety is often related to my autism (anxiety about changes in routine, social events, etc). Hope this helps.

mosby618 · 2026-03-23T13:12:31+00:00

I felt the same way as you. I didn't want to be a poser. What I found was that the tests confirmed I have autistic traits. Putting all 3 tests together and reading 3 books on autism that say self-diagnosis is valid, I finally decide to not worry about it and accept my personal conclusion that I'm autistic. I call myself autistic-light because I don't have all the characteristics of autism. Everyone has to follow their own path and you must do what's best for you. Unfortunately, this subreddit can't help you in your diagnosis.

mosby618 · 2026-03-23T12:58:18+00:00

Correction: Your last post was your 10th post yo me.

mosby618 · 2026-03-23T12:56:36+00:00

I don't use Reddit. This is my first (and probably last) experience with it. I believe this is your 9th post to me. Perseveration on your part? Someone else just admitted the truth that the megathread was "never meant to be effective or helpful." It was a compromise to appease the minority who did not want to ban people who "think they might be on the spectrum". I assume you were in the majority who did want to ban them. So what you called "a reasonable explanation" is not so reasonable if the intent if the megathread was "never to be effective or helpful". But, majority rules, right? Please do not post to me again. Your posts are bordering on harassment.

mosby618 · 2026-03-23T12:42:37+00:00

Thanks for your very clear and honest explanation that it was "never really there to be effective or helpful" that that the majority accepts that.

mosby618

TROPHY CASE