Science lovers, how do you score on this?

[Evo]

Evo, there is a way to see how you compare. Keep in mind that it's not meant to diagnose, but rather be good at giving a brief assessment.

If you go to http://autismresearchcentre.com/tests/aq_test.asp and peer-review journal article "The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) : Evidence from Asperger Syndrome/High Functioning Autism, Males and Females, Scientists and Mathematicians
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 31:5-17", Table 5, it'll actually give you percentile rankings.

For each score, it mentions what percentage of those diagnosed with AS/HFA score above it, and control group scoring above.

For you personally, it says 94.8% of AS/HFA score above 25, while 9.8% of the control group does. Then breaking it up into gender, in the study, it looks like none of the women diagnosed with AS/HFA scored 25 or lower (although some men scored in the upper teens).

The average for math olympiad winners was 25, which I got from table 1.

What if the person taking the test is a misanthrope? I would put myself in that category, to some extent. I excel in social situations, but would prefer to not participate at all if I had the choice, and just not particularly fond of humans in general.

 

[vanesch]

I had 30.

 

[fuzzyfelt]

What is the average for flibbertigibbets?

 

[wolram]

I scored 26 is that good or bad?

 

[daniel_i_l]

I scored 18

 

[27Thousand]

Or they may do a little bit of pattern matching and note the distinction in this question. It's a foolish thing to have in the test.

Something I found interesting from the peer-review research on the test, even if there are questions that AS/HFA don't understand, since in test after test it's good at telling the difference from the control group, looking at the forest from the trees it would seem it's a good brief assessment. Yes, not as good as spending hours getting diagnosed and waiting maybe a month for results; however as a brief assessment many would see as reasonable. On post 41 there's a peer-review link for a distribution table, ex. if you score at such and such, _% of controls score that high and _% of AS/HFA score that high.

Another way some may look at it, if the wording of many questions is made more concrete, but at the same time the standardization/validity of the test doesn't actually go up, is anything accomplished at the bigger picture? Some ask, if you're going to reject a test, what matters more at the big picture level, how the questions sound or if it's good at telling the difference from the control group? Wording of questions may definitely improve what's there, but I don't know why it would be a reason to reject it at the big picture level?

 

[27Thousand]

What if the person taking the test is a misanthrope? I would put myself in that category, to some extent. I excel in social situations, but would prefer to not participate at all if I had the choice, and just not particularly fond of humans in general.

There's also Schizoid Personality Disorder, don't confuse with Schizophrenia! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schizoid_personality It's when they hate human interaction/avoid it to the point where it's clinical, without the obsessions/repetitiveness of AS/HFA, and many of the social skill problems. "Clinical" is the key word here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schizoid_personality#SPD_and_other_disorders

I was reading that some AS/HFA may hate human interaction, while some may want it but not have the social skills for it. However unlike Schizoid Personality Disorder, AS/HFA have the obsessions/repetitiveness that infers enough with daily living.

Since people with Schizoid Personality Disorder don't care that they avoid others, usually treatment is seen as unnecessary.

Then there's other things it could be as well.

And if something doesn't impair you enough, I wouldn't worry about it because then it's not supposed to be considered a disorder.

 

[27Thousand]

I scored 26 is that good or bad?

Post 41 has a peer-review link to a distribution table. In addition to that, what matters is if you think it impairs you enough in your functioning (significantly either the social, occupational, daily living, etc. areas).

 

[Kronos5253]

I got a 12

 

[BobG]

25.


I don't think that qualifies me for autism or Aspergers. I don't think I like the sound of Schizoid Personality Disorder (even if it isn't Schizophrenia).

Can't I pick a different mental illness?

I'm kind of depressed sometimes - at least 4 or 5 minutes a day. And I'm also having problems sleeping. For some reason, I've been waking up around 40 to 20 minutes too early every morning. What kind of mental illness does that qualify me for?

 

[Danger]

What kind of mental illness does that qualify me for?

That's simple, and fairly common; you're nuts.

edit: Either that, or your wife farts in her sleep like W.

 

[Pinu7]

The average person scores a 16.
Only four PF users, thus far, have scored below average.
http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/2619/53899550.jpg

 

[avant-garde]

33. lol

 

[glueball8]

21 :( I'm below average PFer.

 

[DaveC426913]

What if the person taking the test is a misanthrope? I would put myself in that category, to some extent. I excel in social situations, but would prefer to not participate at all if I had the choice, and just not particularly fond of humans in general.

It says nothing about any other traits.

Filtering a piggy bank for nickels does not separate old nickels from new, or dimes from pennies.

 

[drankin]

27. I suspect it means I'm observant but not a socialite.

 

[Proton Soup]

finally got around to this. 31. no real surprise there.

 

[27Thousand]

25.


I don't think that qualifies me for autism or Aspergers. I don't think I like the sound of Schizoid Personality Disorder (even if it isn't Schizophrenia).

Can't I pick a different mental illness?

I'm kind of depressed sometimes - at least 4 or 5 minutes a day. And I'm also having problems sleeping. For some reason, I've been waking up around 40 to 20 minutes too early every morning. What kind of mental illness does that qualify me for?

Keep in mind that everyone has problems. It's only when it gets to the point of being clinical impairment in certain areas. Just like medical students get paranoid of everything, some do the same with psychological disorders.

 

[27Thousand]

Heh. When I first encountered this thread, I didn't notice it was you who posted it. But as I was going through it, I was thinking I would point you at it, to see how you scored.

I kind of got the feeling you would say that.

 

[Sorry!]

Hmm I got 14 lol.

 

[Smurf]

20. I was hoping I'd score more.

 

[Sorry!]

What's the point of this quiz? To see how much like an autistic person you are? I'm pretty sure that autism is supposedly genetic so how does a 'normal' person taking this test and scoing say 26 have anything to do with autism. Who cares if certain actions or personality traits you exhibit are associated with autism...?

This doesn't mean your autistic or you even have any form of autism...

 

[DaveC426913]

What's the point of this quiz? To see how much like an autistic person you are? I'm pretty sure that autism is supposedly genetic so how does a 'normal' person taking this test and scoing say 26 have anything to do with autism. Who cares if certain actions or personality traits you exhibit are associated with autism...?

This doesn't mean your autistic or you even have any form of autism...

: blinks audibly :

It is not obvious to you that it is a preliminary test for autism? If a subject scores above 33 he or his caregiver might consider getting him properly tested for ASD.

 

[TheStatutoryApe]

What's the point of this quiz? To see how much like an autistic person you are? I'm pretty sure that autism is supposedly genetic so how does a 'normal' person taking this test and scoing say 26 have anything to do with autism. Who cares if certain actions or personality traits you exhibit are associated with autism...?

This doesn't mean your autistic or you even have any form of autism...

To add to Dave's comment I believe that part of the point (as far as it being posted here at least) is tracking corrolations between 'scientific thinking' and autistic behavior patterns. If you look at some of 27's earlier posts he has referenced statistics that show an interesting relationship.

 

[Sorry!]

@ Dave Lol, I don't see the correlation between a normal person taking this test and a potential autism candidate taking the test... Sure IF you are suspected to have autism then it could be a useful tool clearly since it has a low false-positive rate. (Successful up to 83% I believe)

To add to Dave's comment I believe that part of the point (as far as it being posted here at least) is tracking corrolations between 'scientific thinking' and autistic behavior patterns. If you look at some of 27's earlier posts he has referenced statistics that show an interesting relationship.

Hm I guess that's what I get for just skimming through the posts. All I saw was everyone posting their results. I was reading people saying things about different disease this test was indicative of that's what lead to my comment.

So the purpose of the test here is to show a correlation between scientific personalities and autisic personsonalities.

 

[Borg]

12 for me.

 

[Kronos5253]

And maybe my anal retentiveness regarding the questions means my score is about right.

Never let it be said that your anal retentive attention to detail never yeilded positive results. (Can't be anal retentive if you don't have an anus!) lol

 

[Danger]

Never let it be said that your anal retentive attention to detail never yeilded positive results. (Can't be anal retentive if you don't have an anus!) lol

I can't help but be reminded of the old Playboy cartoon where the nurse is trying to write something on her pad with a thermometer, then says "Hey! Some ******* has my pencil."
You can fill in the asterisks with a word related to the quote.

 

[27Thousand]

What's the point of this quiz? To see how much like an autistic person you are? I'm pretty sure that autism is supposedly genetic so how does a 'normal' person taking this test and scoing say 26 have anything to do with autism. Who cares if certain actions or personality traits you exhibit are associated with autism...?

This doesn't mean your autistic or you even have any form of autism...

The point of placing it in a Science forum? I just wanted to see if I could replicate some of the findings the peer-review study had with scientists. The average for scientists wasn't high enough to be in AS/HFA range, but there was a significant correlation with "overall" score. Just because you scored in the teens doesn't mean there aren't any general patterns. I wanted to test for myself, or critical thinking.

You're correct, a score doesn't mean you have autism. It doesn't say whether you have it or not, but rather is supposed to be a good brief screening assessment. Just a thought, common sense would tell us if it's a good brief screening assessment, then it should do a good job of telling the difference between those who have already been diagnosed and the general population, and if it doesn't meet this then it's not good. In

(S. Baron-Cohen, S. Wheelwright, R. Skinner, J. Martin and E. Clubley, (2001)
The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) : Evidence from Asperger Syndrome/High Functioning Autism, Males and Females, Scientists and Mathematicians
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 31:5-17 http://autismresearchcentre.com/tests/aq_test.asp for PDFs of various peer-review studies)

the Asperger's/High Functioning Autism group's average was 36, and the general population 16. 80% of those with AS/HFA scored above 32, while only 2% of the general population did so. So in other words, it's not as good as the real deal, professionally diagnosed, but is quite good as a brief assessment. It also says in the peer review study that it doesn't matter how you score; it only says if you're above 32 and is causing impairment then you may want ask about diagnoses. 26 is a good cutoff for making sure most AS/HFA are included, although a few individuals score in the high teens (thus not as good as formal diagnosis, but as a brief screening assessment). They replicated the study in Japan, and the group averages for clinical and control groups were only 2 points off from this study! It's also been tested against those with OCD and social anxiety disorder, who have some correlation with the score, but not enough to be within autism-spectrum range.

How do you explain the results?

 

[DaveC426913]

@ Dave Lol, I don't see the correlation between a normal person taking this test and a potential autism candidate taking the test... Sure IF you are suspected to have autism then it could be a useful tool clearly since it has a low false-positive rate. (Successful up to 83% I believe)



Hm I guess that's what I get for just skimming through the posts. All I saw was everyone posting their results. I was reading people saying things about different disease this test was indicative of that's what lead to my comment.

So the purpose of the test here is to show a correlation between scientific personalities and autisic personsonalities.

OK, now I'm confused again. Are you asking why this test was created, or why it was posted here?


I was answering why the test was created. A full test for autism would be ridiculous to perform on the general population. But provide a preliminary test that people can take at their whim or that doctors can assign, and you can locate more potential subjects much cheaper - even accounting for false positives.

 

[OmCheeto]

Score: 10

I win.

 

[27Thousand]

The average person scores a 16.
Only four PF users, thus far, have scored below average.
http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/2619/53899550.jpg

[/URL]

Makes you view in the mind's eye

 

[DaveC426913]

Makes you view in the mind's eye

What?

 

[27Thousand]

What?

Sorry, since "view in the mind's eye" can mean to form a mental concept, I was just hinting I found his visual helpful. I used the word conceptualize earlier, but someone accused me of using big words, so I have to adjust.

 

[leroyjenkens]

I don't like tests like these. Questions like "I prefer to do things alone rather than with others" need a response like "sometimes" or "depends on what I'm doing". "Things" encompasses a lot of different activities and some I'd rather do alone.


I scored an 11. The lower the better, right? It means I'm further away from being autistic?

 

[physics girl phd]

25 for me, guess I'm an average PFer.

 

[Quincy]

36 for me.

 

[tatiana_eggs]

23, geez I can't seem to get away from this "below-average" label

 

[DaveC426913]

I don't like tests like these. Questions like "I prefer to do things alone rather than with others" need a response like "sometimes" or "depends on what I'm doing". "Things" encompasses a lot of different activities and some I'd rather do alone.

Tests like this make sense to those to whom they are targeted; they will know exactly what that sentence means. If the question don't make sense to you, that's a clue that you're not the target.

I scored an 11. The lower the better, right? It means I'm further away from being autistic?

It means you're ADHD. It's a wonder you finished the test!

 

[wobblebase]

I scored a 34.

 

[B. Elliott]

Score: 33

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

13 here

 

[BoomBoom]

I got 33

 

[Stratosphere]

I scored 15.

 

[leroyjenkens]

Tests like this make sense to those to whom they are targeted; they will know exactly what that sentence means. If the question don't make sense to you, that's a clue that you're not the target.


It means you're ADHD. It's a wonder you finished the test!

Well I didn't finish school, so it balances out.

 

[alxm]

25. I can say for certain I'm not autistic or aspberger's, because I've had a full neuropsych evaluation - since I do have ADHD.

On a similar test they use for that I had 64/72, median and mean was 16.

Don't think it had much to do with any science acumen, although it might've pushed me towards physics. Less rote memorization, which is something difficult to focus on. (OTOH I do actually have a good memory, which is why I actually managed in school. Low attention-high retention)

 

[Monocerotis]

Score: 26

So I guess I don't have autism or asperger's... lol

 

[Quincy]

I don't get why people are saying, "I scored low so I guess I'm not autistic." Just because you score high on some 5-minute test designed by some British psychologist doesn't mean you have a brain disease...

 

[Galteeth]

>> not a physicist

11

I'm not very social, but I have a "political" job

 

[sunata]

score: 14