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cl0udpup · 2 years ago

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Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale–Revised (RAADS–R)

The RAADS-R is a self-report questionnaire designed to identify adult autistics who “escape diagnosis” due to a subclinical level presentation.

The response options are: True now and when I was young True now only True only when I was younger than 16 Never true

My Score

Total - 145 Language - 6 Social relatedness - 63 Sensory/motor - 44 Circumscribed interests - 32

Scoring

All scores of 65 or higher are indicative of autistic traits. The higher the score, the more autistic traits you have.

- No neurotypical who took the test scored above the autism threshold. - Only 3% of the autistic group did not score over 65.

25-49: You are not autistic 50-64: Some autistic traits, but likely not autistic 65-89: The minimum score at which autism is considered 90-129: Stronger indications of autism, although non-autists may score as high 130-159: The mean score of autistic people; strong evidence for autism 160-226: Very strong evidence for autism 227: The maximum score autistic people acquired

Mean RAADS-R scores

Autistics

Total - 134 . Language - 11 . Social relatedness - 68 . Sensory/motor - 33 Circumscribed interests - 28

Neurotypicals

Total - 26 . Language - 2 . Social relatedness - 5 . Circumscribed Interests - 5

My responses

1. I am a sympathetic person. Always true. I am very sensitive to others strong feelings. I don’t always agree with, or understand why someone feels the way they do, but I feel for them, and can relate to the feeling itself (even if it was another context for me.)

2. I often use words and phrases from movies and television in conversations. Yes. I’m obsessed with film, always have been. It’s an art form that is easily translated into every day situations.

3. I am often surprised when others tell me I have been rude. Sometimes I have done things people have gotten mad at or said is inappropriate. Less now as an adult, as I try really hard to learn from those situations. I hate when someone is mad at me.

4. Sometimes I talk too loudly or too softly, and I am not aware of it. I have been told I am too loud at times.

5. I often don't know how to act in social situations. Social situations aren’t inherently comfortable for me, but I have learned ways to cope.

6. I can 'put myself in other people's shoes.' Vividly. Empathy and understanding others so they feel less alone is a strong value of mine. I read lots of memoirs, articles, watch documentaries and films, listen to podcasts, and interact with others online so that I can have a deeper understanding of what it’s like to be someone who isn’t me.

7. I have a hard time figuring out what some phrases mean, like 'you are the apple of my eye.' If I haven’t heard it before, and there isn’t enough context. I’ve heard this specific phrase as long as I can remember, so I don’t think this is a good example. Usually I go off the tone of the situation and gloss past terms I am unaware of. Sometimes I find out it means something totally different, but it’s not usually a huge deal.

8. I only like to talk to people who share my special interests. This Q is difficult for me. I am very isolated these days, and barely talk to anyone besides my partner, and people in same communities as me online. So, I guess, yes? I have chosen not to seek out conversation with people who don’t share my interests.

It’s hard because I’m still learning what’s the difference between shared community (like neurodivergency, mental illness, disability - the communities I spend time in online,) and a special interest. Does it need to be more specific than that? My socializing has always centered around a specific interest. I have difficulty and disinterest in socializing if it’s not centered around the thing we have in common.

9. I focus on details rather than the overall idea. I get stuck on details, yes.

10. I always notice how food feels in my mouth. This is more important to me than how it tastes. This question sucks because yes, I always notice it, but Idk if it’s more important than how it tastes? Well, maybe it is, because thinking of examples, I love the flavor of apples, but if I bite into it and it’s dry, feeling like it’s sapping the moisture out of my mouth, I can hear the squeak on the peel, no I can’t do it.

11. I miss my best friends or family when we are apart for a long time. Kinda. I’m fine with having non-romantic relationships that are long distance. I’ve only met my best friend since childhood a few times in person and we still talk every day.

12. Sometimes I offend others by saying what I am thinking, even if I don't mean to. Yes, but again, I have learned to essentially rehearse what I say in my head before I say it, to avoid this. I keep a lot to myself.

13. I only like to think and talk about a few things that interest me. I have gotten obsessed with sooo many things over the years, so there are a lot of things that interest me. I had a period of time where I was obsessed with being knowledgeable in all areas (like, a renaissance man lol,) so I can relate in convos and sorta know what I’m talking about.

I don’t really like talking about things I’m not interested in (does anyone?) and I definitely don’t like thinking about stuff I’m uninterested in. That definitely made school impossible.

14. I'd rather go out to eat in a restaurant by myself than with someone I know. Absolutely not. I’m terrified of getting into a scary situation when I’m alone.

15. I cannot imagine what it would be like to be someone else. As I said, understanding others point of view is important to me.

16. I have been told that I am clumsy or uncoordinated. Lately my fine motor skills have gotten worse.

17. Others consider me odd or different. Ya.

18. I understand when friends need to be comforted. Yes, I try to know what to say or do to help a person feel safe.

19. I am very sensitive to the way my clothes feel when I touch them. How they feel is more important to me than how they look. Generally. I love fashion/style, so I like looking cute, but I really only wear athleisure clothing.

20. I like to copy the way certain people speak and act. It helps me appear more normal. I haven’t like, copied a specific person’s mannerisms, but I have studied body language, and monitor my own to fit the situation.

21. It can be very intimidating for me to talk to more than one person at the same time. Casual conversation, no. If this means like, public speaking, yeah that was really hard as a kid. I’ve come up with ways to get through it as an adult.

22. I have to 'act normal' to please other people and make them like me. Basically.

23. Meeting new people is usually easy for me. I get anxious, but I go over every situation in my head before it happens.

24. I get highly confused when someone interrupts me when I am talking about something I am very interested in. Yes, but I’m used to being interrupted so I usually just shut up. It’s hard not to take it personal.

25. It is difficult for me to understand how other people are feeling when we are talking. I guess? I always ask and clarify.

26. I like having a conversation with several people, for instance around a dinner table, at school or at work. Not really.

27. I take things too literally, so I often miss what people are trying to say. Yeah sometimes.

28. It is very difficult for me to understand when someone is embarrassed or jealous. It can be hard for me to understand if someone doesn’t feel the same way as me in general, if it’s about something involving strong emotions.

29. Some ordinary textures that do not bother others feel very offensive when they touch my skin. Apparently so!

30. I get extremely upset when the way I like to do things is suddenly changed. I really don’t like last minute changes. I go over how to keep things running smoothly in my head, and do them a certain way for a reason. If there is a change, I need time to make adjustments.

31. I have never wanted or needed to have what other people call an 'intimate relationship.' I have always been obsessed with being in a relationship.

32. It is difficult for me to start and stop a conversation. I need to keep going until I am finished. Yeah if we don’t finish it now, just forget it. If there’s not gonna be time for the whole thing, let’s plan to talk at x-o’clock. This was a lot harder for me in my teens and 20s. I struggled with moving past an issue, it needed to be addressed immediately or I couldn’t move forward.

33. I speak with a normal rhythm. Never been told otherwise.

34. The same sound, color or texture can suddenly change from very sensitive to very dull. I don’t really understand this question, but I don’t think so.

35. The phrase 'I've got you under my skin' makes me uncomfortable. lol I mean it’s gross, but it doesn’t bother me.

36. Sometimes the sound of a word or a high-pitched noise can be painful to my ears. Yes, I have to adjust my environment a lot, or cover my ears, or ask someone not to do something.

37. I am an understanding type of person. Yes, I have found it important to be laid back when possible.

38. I do not connect with characters in movies and cannot feel what they feel. I connect deeply with characters, and find film a great way to communicate my experiences to others.

39. I cannot tell when someone is flirting with me. I am paranoid about this, so I can usually tell.

40. I can see in my mind in exact detail things that I am interested in. Yes I love visualizing and fantasizing.

41. I keep lists of things that interest me, even when they have no practical use (for example sports statistics, train schedules, calendar dates, historical facts and dates). I love lists. They help me make sense of the world and remember things.

42. When I feel overwhelmed by my senses, I have to isolate myself to shut them down. Absolutely.

43. I like to talk things over with my friends. Yes I need help understanding if what I’m feeling is reasonable and making decisions.

44. I cannot tell if someone is interested or bored with what I am saying. I guess not, cuz I constantly try to give people an out by leaving before I’m asked to leave, or keeping the convo focused on what the other person wants to talk about. It’s like my aversion to being rejected is stronger than my aversion to being bored.

45. It can be very hard to read someone's face, hand and body movements when they are talking. I try to pay a lot of attention to these things.

46. The same thing (like clothes or temperatures) can feel very different to me at different times. Yeah I am like always uncomfortable.

47. I feel very comfortable with dating or being in social situations with others. It depends.

48. I try to be as helpful as I can when other people tell me their personal problems. Yes I like being able to help people.

49. I have been told that I have an unusual voice (for example flat, monotone, childish, or high-pitched). No but people say I laugh too much lol.

50. Sometimes a thought or a subject gets stuck in my mind and I have to talk about it even if no one is interested. Yes I’m very curious and can go down rabbit holes easily.

51. I do certain things with my hands over and over again (like flapping, twirling sticks or strings, waving things by my eyes). Always messing with something, whether it be examining or picking at my fingers, rubbing fabric from my clothes between my fingers, pulling at my eyebrows, rubbing my hands together... I can’t really sit still and quiet.

52. I have never been interested in what most of the people I know consider interesting. I usually socialize based on a shared interest, and keep everything else to myself.

53. I am considered a compassionate type of person. Yes I care a lot.

54. I get along with other people by following a set of specific rules that help me look normal. I try to be likable, and I worry more about others needs than my own.

55. It is very difficult for me to work and function in groups. Yeah it’s frustrating.

56. When I am talking to someone, it is hard to change the subject. If the other person does so, I can get very upset and confused. I prefer knowing what to expect and having structure (let’s do/talk about this thing, okay wanna do/talk about something else now?)

57. Sometimes I have to cover my ears to block out painful noises (like vacuum cleaners or people talking too much or too loudly). Yeah the world is really annoying.

58. I can chat and make small talk with people. Most people love to talk about themselves, so if I ask questions, it’s easy. Don’t ask me about me though lol.

59. Sometimes things that should feel painful are not (for instance when I hurt myself or burn my hand on the stove). So I am told. Piercings and tattoos don’t bother me. I get allergy shots and every time I mention it, people say it must hurt, but it’s a non-factor for me. And not to mention I used to SH...

60. When talking to someone, I have a hard time telling when it is my turn to talk or to listen. It’s kinda like you have to be fast to be able to get a word in.

61. I am considered a loner by those who know me best. I love being alone and doing my own thing, but it’s not socially acceptable, and other people need me, and it’s important to have connection, so I make a conscious decision to. And barely anyone knows me very well lol.

62. I usually speak in a normal tone. Sure I think so.

63. I like things to be exactly the same day after day and even small changes in my routines upset me. As long as I have decided on these changes myself, it’s fine. If it’s something like, my partner is randomly off work and now I have to adjust my day to not having all my time to myself, it’s hard.

64. How to make friends and socialize is a mystery to me. I know how to, I just don’t really want to. IRL, that is. Online friends are great bc they have way less expectations.

65. It calms me to spin around or to rock in a chair when I'm feeling stressed. Yes, rocking soothes me. I spin when I’m happy.

66. The phrase, 'He wears his heart on his sleeve,' does not make sense to me. It does because I looked it up online many years ago and relate to it.

67. If I am in a place where there are many smells, textures to feel, noises or bright lights, I feel anxious or frightened. It depends. Some things are more tolerable than others, and I can often prepare myself with accommodations. Other than that, I can’t stand it.

68. I can tell when someone says one thing but means something else. Not always. I usually ask to clarify.

69. I like to be by myself as much as I can. Yes, it’s more interesting and less to worry about.

70. I keep my thoughts stacked in my memory like they are on filing cards, and I pick out the ones I need by looking through the stack and finding the right one (or another unique way). No filing card memory for me, and I don’t know what “another unique way” is. This question is going over my head.

71. The same sound sometimes seems very loud or very soft, even though I know it has not changed. The more over or understimulated I am, my senses adjust.

72. I enjoy spending time eating and talking with my family and friends. Yes as long as I can leave when I’m ready.

73. I can't tolerate things I dislike (like smells, textures, sounds or colors). I sure can’t.

74. I don't like to be hugged or held. I love it when I consent to it.

75. When I go somewhere, I have to follow a familiar route or I can get very confused and upset. No, I trust GPS.

76. It is difficult to figure out what other people expect of me. Yes, expectations often don’t line up! I have grown to be very up front about this, and just ask out right, rather than deal with disappointment.

77. I like to have close friends. Not really. I like having my partner. Most friends I’ve tried to have have a different idea of what they want/expect out of a friend.

78. People tell me that I give too much detail. No one ever told me that, but I catch myself doing it now (constantly like, ok side note, sorry for the tangent!)

79. I am often told that I ask embarrassing questions. No.

80. I tend to point out other people's mistakes. Yes until someone told me it hurt their feelings and I started noticing myself doing it. Now if I need to tell someone so that we can adjust for the future, I try to be a lot more tactful.

#autism #autism assessment #autism test #raads-r #raads r #raads #self diagnosis #self dx #self diagnosed autism #autistic #possibly autistic #probably autistic

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