New Member

[Franish]

Hi, I have just joined this site in order to see whether I'm truly on the autism spectrum. I've taken all of the free online tests that are available, and most say I'm probably borderline autistic; one test, however, says I'm neurotypical. That one asked many questions I didn't really relate to, as opposed to the other tests which asked about many things I definitely relate to. So it's all a big question mark to me.

The YouTubes have been really interesting and helpful, but I am still often left wondering whether so many of the traits that seem common to autism are ones that every autistic person has, or whether some of the people on the spectrum can be more like myself.

I don't intend to get a formal diagnosis - I'm 70 years old and, other than wondering about autism as it may or may not apply to me, am very happy with life as it is. I'm looking forward to reading the posts on this site!

 

[tree]

 

[MyLifeAsAnAspie]

Hi and welcome to the forums

 

[Galvatrancis]

Hi, I have just joined this site in order to see whether I'm truly on the autism spectrum. I've taken all of the free online tests that are available, and most say I'm probably borderline autistic; one test, however, says I'm neurotypical. That one asked many questions I didn't really relate to, as opposed to the other tests which asked about many things I definitely relate to. So it's all a big question mark to me.

The YouTubes have been really interesting and helpful, but I am still often left wondering whether so many of the traits that seem common to autism are ones that every autistic person has, or whether some of the people on the spectrum can be more like myself.

I don't intend to get a formal diagnosis - I'm 70 years old and, other than wondering about autism as it may or may not apply to me, am very happy with life as it is. I'm looking forward to reading the posts on this site!

Welcome aboard, pirrrrate!

 

[Thinx]

Hi and welcome. More recently a lot is being written about women on the spectrum, Jessica Kingsley publishers catalogue carries a lot of relevant books by women with Autism and clinicians, and how they have gone under the wire over the years.

My opinion is, gender conditioning encourages more masking of traits in women and also provides more expectations that women will stay silent, listen, help others with communication etc. Women are encouraged to internalise where males tend to be encouraged to externalise.

This can largely explain the visibility of autism in males compared to females, I think, plus the differences in the female phenotype that have been noted, and how women therefore don't get diagnosed, as the criteria are built around the male phenotype.

I hope that you enjoy it here! Many late diagnosed or self diagnosed older adults are here, aswell as all ages. And yes, we are all different!

 

[VictorR]

Welcome! As you noted, it's called a spectrum as each person is unique, and rather than a linear chart where someone either is or isn't, it's based on an evaluation of whether the person performing the diagnostic exam feels that overall, there's enough pieces present to warrant a diagnosis. And even then, there are many stories of individuals who have seen different specialists and received different results.

 

[Bolletje]

Welcome! I hope you have a good time here

 

[Nitro]

 

[Alexej]

Hi and Welcome @Franish

To be formally diagnosed is not needed here, self-diagnosis is perfectly acceptable in many autism contexts.
Do hang around a while and read what other folks experience, and there may be some things that resonate with your life and experience. There will be things that you dont recognise, but that is just part of the spectrum within autism.

 

[Atrapa Almas]

Welcome! Just having some autism traits and having softer forms of traits and sensory issues its also perfectly normal.

The Autist vs NT way of thinking may limit us to see that part of the spectrum that is in the "frontier" and that is probably the mayority (as in every Gauss distribution).

So even for functional people, understanding their autists traits, sensory issues, social disconection, energy management, white and black thinking... and being aware to have an open eye on their childs and grandchilds... may be helpfull.

So, welcome to the forum. Please do participate and share your experiences and points of view. It will help those of us in the "frontier".

 

[Neonatal RRT]

Hi, I have just joined this site in order to see whether I'm truly on the autism spectrum. I've taken all of the free online tests that are available, and most say I'm probably borderline autistic; one test, however, says I'm neurotypical. That one asked many questions I didn't really relate to, as opposed to the other tests which asked about many things I definitely relate to. So it's all a big question mark to me.

The YouTubes have been really interesting and helpful, but I am still often left wondering whether so many of the traits that seem common to autism are ones that every autistic person has, or whether some of the people on the spectrum can be more like myself.

I don't intend to get a formal diagnosis - I'm 70 years old and, other than wondering about autism as it may or may not apply to me, am very happy with life as it is. I'm looking forward to reading the posts on this site!

My wife fits into that "borderline" category, as well. Some things she is classic neurotypical,...other things,...I swear she has stronger autistic behaviors than I do. Like many things about the brain, I think there is a continuum,...some folks very neurotypical, some folks very autistic,...and a bunch of folks that may exhibit both characteristics.

 

[Sunny1]

Welcome, Franish! Jump in and swim!

 

[Gerald Wilgus]

If you are satisfied with your life but looking to understand traits you may have, to help you understand yourself, you are very welcome here.

I was diagnosed at 60, 12 years ago, yet last year I was going through a very troubling time with PTSD from being socially and sexually isolated as a teen and young adult and started counseling that has helped tremendously.

 

[Suzanne]

Hi there and welcome.

I came here not being diagnosed and like yourself, took many tests, but they all said I was probably neurodeverse.

It was swinging either way, because I had some traits, but not all. However, I was welcomed despite not being diagnosed and then, a few year's ago, did get my formal diagnosis.

Personally, for me, it was worth getting that diagnosis, for people are treating me different. Albeit, I do still struggle with feeling different and wishing I could watch how other intergrate, so that I can copy lol

 

[Richelle-H]

Hello @Franish and welcome to the Forums.

I agree that a formal diagnosis does not mean much once you reach a certain age although that may not always be the case with everyone. A spectrum is a spectrum and everyone's experience of it is unique to that individual.

I was formally diagnose back in my 40s and even then it meant little to me except for preventing a loss of a job. It did not change me, I was no different after than I was before. Then there is the fact that surviving into one's seventies is bound to change who you are to some extent. I do not feel I am the same person I was in my teens, or my twenties, or my thirties even. Life is an interesting adventure and I am still looking forward to what my future might bring.

Enjoy the adventure of exploring.

 

[Franish]

Thank you, Tree - I love your William Blake quote!

View attachment 79916

 

[Franish]

Thanks so much for your welcome!

Hi and welcome to the forums

 

[Franish]

Hi and welcome. More recently a lot is being written about women on the spectrum, Jessica Kingsley publishers catalogue carries a lot of relevant books by women with Autism and clinicians, and how they have gone under the wire over the years.

My opinion is, gender conditioning encourages more masking of traits in women and also provides more expectations that women will stay silent, listen, help others with communication etc. Women are encouraged to internalise where males tend to be encouraged to externalise.

This can largely explain the visibility of autism in males compared to females, I think, plus the differences in the female phenotype that have been noted, and how women therefore don't get diagnosed, as the criteria are built around the male phenotype.

I hope that you enjoy it here! Many late diagnosed or self diagnosed older adults are here, aswell as all ages. And yes, we are all different!

I appreciate your welcome and your thoughtful reply!

 

[Franish]

Thanks so much, Victor! This has given me another perspective for interpreting all of this.

Welcome! As you noted, it's called a spectrum as each person is unique, and rather than a linear chart where someone either is or isn't, it's based on an evaluation of whether the person performing the diagnostic exam feels that overall, there's enough pieces present to warrant a diagnosis. And even then, there are many stories of individuals who have seen different specialists and received different results.

 

[Franish]

Hello @Franish and welcome to the Forums.

I agree that a formal diagnosis does not mean much once you reach a certain age although that may not always be the case with everyone. A spectrum is a spectrum and everyone's experience of it is unique to that individual.

I was formally diagnose back in my 40s and even then it meant little to me except for preventing a loss of a job. It did not change me, I was no different after than I was before. Then there is the fact that surviving into one's seventies is bound to change who you are to some extent. I do not feel I am the same person I was in my teens, or my twenties, or my thirties even. Life is an interesting adventure and I am still looking forward to what my future might bring.

Enjoy the adventure of exploring.

Hello Richelle - thanks for responding. I feel encouraged, and so relate to your comment about being different at different ages. Most of my working years I had a fair amount of anxiety, but now that I'm retired, not much bothers me anymore. I'm still engrossed in all my learning and list-making obsessions, but enjoy them more now.