#thanks raads-r autism test

[to-dance-beneath-the-diamond-sky]

[xitsensunmoon]

People often talk how inaccurate self diagnoses can be for things like autism and while I personally disagree, I found it to be true to some degree. But in a completely opposite direction.

When I just found out about a possibility of me being neurodivergent, maybe, like, a year ago? (Thanks to a peer review by my friends💀) I took an online test for a self diagnosis - RAADS-R. And there's a reason they say "it can be inaccurate".

I think my first "score" was something close to 80 out of 240 possible. It meant I had some of the traits, but a lot of neurotypical people could score that high too.

But I got curious. And so for the next year I was doing my research. Finding out about spoon theory, about energy levels, about light and sound sensitivity, struggles with social cues and such.

I took the test again, a year later. I scored 167.

If your conclusion is "well, obviously you were influenced and the results are biased" you won't be entirely wrong. But the reason for it is not that I faked it. It's that I paid more attention to myself.

If you're living your whole life masking, you're taught to ignore absolutely every symptom of what may be autism or ADHD. My whole life I was thinking that I'm "weird" or "broken" or "different" or or or. I knew that I'm living my life somehow different than people around me. It felt like everyone got a tutorial how to live this life and I skipped it. But I could never understand why.

So, why did I score higher the second time I took the test? Because the first time all of the "weird" situations were never linked to autism in my brain. I had two dots, the connection between them being autism. But I never recognised the said connection, due to the high-masking nature that helped me to cope with everyday struggles.

But the second I made the connection, suddenly everything made sense. Suddenly, it's not "I'm too sensitive", it's not "something is wrong with me", it's not "why am I not enjoying this while others do?". It's fucking autism(and ADHD too, lol.)

That's the reason your diagnosis may be not as accurate as you think. Your brain can try and protect you from making the connection between your experiences and the diagnosis. Or, of course, there's a possibility to make a wrong connection, too.

But you're the only one who can find out. There's no one out there who knows you better than yourself.

[my-autism-adhd-blog]

Hello lovely,

What are the pros and cons of pursuing a diagnosis?

I think I have autism (32 on the AQ, 139 on the CAT-Q, 157 on the RAADS-R, and 133 on the Aspie Quiz v5) but I'm a very high-masking gifted/honors/AP girl and I worry it will have more cons bc of poor societal acceptance then it will have pros : (

I mentioned my concerns to my primary care doctor and she really quickly dismissed them (I didn't mention the tests I did, just that I had a lot of traits/issues typical of autism) and I'm worried that trying to get help or anything will be a long hard uphill battle. Fortunately I am getting seen for sleep issues soon which are my worst problem but yeah

Thanks for your counsel

- 💙🌹

Hi there,

There are many pros and cons when it comes to getting an autism diagnosis. Here’s some from helpfulminds.co.uk

Advantages of Adult Autism Diagnosis:

1. Self-understanding and identity: Receiving an autism diagnosis as an adult can provide a profound sense of self-understanding. It validates personal experiences and challenges, helping individuals make sense of their differences. It offers a framework through which they can explore their unique strengths, interests, and areas of difficulty, leading to greater self-acceptance and personal growth.

2. Access to appropriate support and accommodations: An adult autism diagnosis opens doors to various resources and support services. It enables individuals to access specialised therapies, counselling, and tailored interventions. It may also qualify them for workplace accommodations, such as flexible schedules, task modifications, or a supportive work environment. These support systems can enhance well-being, foster independence, and improve overall quality of life.

3. Connection and community: Obtaining an autism diagnosis can provide a pathway to connecting with others who share similar experiences. Joining support groups, online communities or participating in autism advocacy networks can foster a sense of belonging and reduce feelings of isolation. These connections often offer invaluable emotional support, shared experiences, and practical advice.

4. Enhanced relationships and communication: Understanding one’s autistic traits can lead to improved personal and professional relationships. It helps individuals communicate their needs and preferences effectively, reducing misunderstandings and promoting better understanding among friends, family members, and colleagues. With increased self-awareness, individuals can build stronger connections and cultivate healthier interactions.

Disadvantages of Adult Autism Diagnosis:

1. Emotional impact: Receiving an autism diagnosis as an adult can trigger a range of emotions, including relief, validation, but also grief or regret. Some individuals may experience a sense of loss for the opportunities they feel they missed or the difficulties they faced due to a lack of understanding. The process can be emotionally challenging and require support to navigate.

2. Stigma and societal perceptions: Unfortunately, despite growing awareness, Autism is still surrounded by stigma and misconceptions. Disclosure of an adult autism diagnosis can lead to potential discrimination, prejudice, or social exclusion. Society’s limited understanding of Autism may hinder employment, education, or social integration opportunities. This lack of acceptance emphasises the need for broader awareness and education.

3. Limited diagnostic resources and accessibility: Obtaining an autism diagnosis as an adult can be challenging due to limited diagnostic resources and professionals specialising in adult assessments. Waiting times and financial constraints may present significant barriers for those seeking a diagnosis. This lack of accessibility may lead to delayed self-understanding and hinder access to vital support services.

Seeking an autism diagnosis as an adult has advantages and disadvantages. While the diagnosis can offer self-understanding, access to support, and a sense of community, it may also evoke complex emotions and expose individuals to societal stigma. It is important to weigh these factors and consider personal circumstances before pursuing a diagnosis. Regardless of whether one receives an official diagnosis, fostering acceptance and embracing neurodiversity can contribute to a more inclusive and understanding society.

The full article will be below. There are even more pros and cons, so those are just examples. I recommend researching for more to make up your mind.

I hope this helps. Thank you for the inbox. I hope you have a wonderful day/night. ♥️

[ezra-returns]

update on my "am i actually autistic or am i just a not very good communicator who obsesses over things they like and stims a lot" post from a couple months ago

i did the raads-r test online and i scored 167 (for context, minimum score for likelihood of autism is 65), so i'm gonna look into getting professionally tested

if anyone has other online tests or resources it would be much appreciated thanks!!

[adhd-worlds]

okay. hi. *breath*

i've always hated being called normal - but now when i look at myself i am thinking - is that because i'm not? - i show 'symptoms' (sorry but i kinda hate that word) of autism and adhd, but nothing major???

short attention span on certain topics, easily distracted, bad time management, i can zone out doing a repetative task/motion for 10/20 minutes (playing with figit toys and simular) or just staring into space - which i find oddly calming and helps me to zone out. i take stuff very literally and people tell me i take it personally, i don't think i do, i just don't understand them. this happens with certain peolpe more than others and alot though text messages. i don't like noisy areas but can cope most of the time. i get angry if i am asked (by close family members) to do a task i am already doing/do regularly every day without fail, but it also depends alot on tone of voice. i get upset very quickly and find it hard to control my emotions alot of the time. i find that stimming (though voluntary, something i conciously start and can stop) relaxes me and helps me focus. i am a visual learner and can take a long time to complete tasks, and sometimes just loose interest altogeather.

sorry for rambling, just hoping for some help, i have suggested i have mild ADHD to my dad who instantly told me not to start feeling pressurised to label myself and that it's okay because i'm totally normal...

thanks

j.

Lets go bit by bit. I don't think a lot of people like being called normal because it equates to being called "boring" or if you have idk, a "normal music taste" it means mainstream. Generally people don't like being seen as the same as everyone else, imo but then again, I live in an echo chamber filled with very interesting and different people who in some way or another, don't fit into "normal".

Secondly, a lot of what you shared are traits of autism/ADHD, quite likely you have both but I wouldn't use me as something to go by. I recommend doing the RAADS-R test for autism and there are questionnaires that are used in adhd diagnosis appointments online that sort of gage if you are. Also helps to read experiences people have online, especially those diagnosed with one or both later on (teens to 20s) and their day to day experiences and their schooling experiences. And then, if (when) you can or want to, start seeking out a dx from doctors.

Also, just an FYI, stimming is a voluntary action. If it was uncontrollable, it would be a tick. Stimming is usually fueled by a very strong desire to do xyz action in order to calm down or show excitement etc so it seems like it's uncontrollable. But myself and many others have repressed the urge to do so around certain people or at work or school bc masking. And part of unlearning the masking is to let yourself/choose to stim

[miseria-fortes-viros]

Source was from this post, the person who posted it said that 120 was the average so i read the article and i can confirm it does say that. U can read it yourself if u really want.

https://www.tumblr.com/snailsthoughts/741274441477226496/psa-the-raads-r-test-is-not-accurate-and-should

yes, the raads-r is not entirely accurate and does produce false positives in the lower ranges, but that does not mean EVERY score between 65-120 is a false positive. the raads-r is an effective tool in the process of an autism diagnosis but is not and should not be the only criteria, and even the raads-r acknowledges this:

a score of 65 and all the way up to 160 can be indicative of autism but it also might not be anything. that doesn’t mean you should be going into people’s inboxes and telling them they’re definitely 100% not autistic if their raads-r score is in the low-100 range, which is an indicator of possible autism and again, NOT a diagnosis. people’s inability to interpret the very clear wording of the scoring chart is not the fault of the test. please mind your business when it comes to autistics. and if you yourself are autistic, please consider the fact that other people’s diagnoses are not your business, and it is perfectly fine for people to suspect that they are autistic and then not actually end up being autistic. thanks

[charms-of-earth]

ok ill bite tell me abt ur autism

omg anon. would you believe you are the first person to ask me about this? ok, here goes. wow, i feel like i'm about to give a speech. ok. so, when i was a kid i had a lot of trouble making eye contact. i even remember one exercise we did in class where we had to practice eye contact with our peers and i (foolishly) proclaimed to the whole class "eye contact is easy! see!" (then i proceeded to look at the teachers chest.) she called me out on it of course, and my bullies in class laughed at me. anyway, when i brought this up to adults, it was always "oh, yeah eye contact is hard" or "you'll get better at it, just keep trying." well anon, i didn't really get better at it. i just got better at *pretending* which i now know is called masking, but i'm getting ahead of myself.

fast forward to my teens because much of my formative years are blocked out bc of trauma (but thats another post) and i've learned little tricks to avoid eye contact. looking at the bridge of someone's nose, their forehead, even just below their eyes or above them. i knew nothing about autism except that there was a nonverbal autistic guy in highschool and i was kinda friends with his sister who took care of him. that was my only exposure to autism so of course that wasn't me, right?

i dont remember if i ever had meltdowns as a child, or even as a teenager, but i know i had chronic migraines and was very sensitive to smells, bright lights, crowds, anything super simulating sensory-wise. maybe i had them, but i just blocked them out like i did so many other things? i don't know, the biggest thing for me was always the eye contact thing and the sensory thing.

i always just felt that *something* was different about me, but could never put my finger on what that was. i experimented with alt culture a bit, but i was already the black sheep of the family so if i became goth or scene that would add fuel to the fire. but i did listen to alt music quite a bit (this seems unrelated but from my research people on the spectrum gravitate towards alt culture and lgbtqa+)

then, in college i finally found out what it was that was different about me! (spoiler alert: it wasn't autism. at least not yet.) i came out as trans and started taking testosterone! well, that didn't last long (only about a year) because i realized i didn't want to be hairy and smelly all the time, and i could no longer sing the way i used to, but it's ok. i'm not a musician or anything. so, i wasn't a girl and i wasn't a guy, so i must be neither! and that's when i came out as nonbinary.

FINALLY, on a whim, my partner and i watched a youtube video by yo samedy sam, who also found out she was autistic later in life (and when i say that i mean like early to mid 30s) and it all fell into place. i've since done a little research and joined a discord server for people on the spectrum, and i understand and respect my autistic friends so much more.

i brought it up with my therapist and she recommended i take a few online tests. ( i think it was on embrace autism, the the tests were the CAT-Q, which is about how well you mask and the AQ and the RAADS-R? really legit tests, easy to understand and well worded.) no surprise i guess, i scored really high on all three tests, especially the masking test.

so, there you have it. if you are questioning whether you might be autistic, i really recommend you samedy sam's videos. autism is her special interest so shes really knowledgeable about it and structures her videos in a way that my brain doesnt wander away to other thoughts or what have you (i have adhd as well, which is a really common comorbidity with autism)

anyway, thats about it! thanks for the ask, and i hope you have a wonderful day/night!

[eating-the-inedible]

Like that other anon, you inspired me to do the RAADS-R test (everyone I know thinks I have autism and I'm waiting to get tested)

I scored 200.

first off, i'm noticing that the scores are getting progressively higher. started with me at like 133 than another anon at like 136 or 138 and then the last anon in the 180s i think and now you at 200. i find this interesting for some reason

second of all, i would again like to say thank you to the anon who suggested that I take the RAADS-R test because they are the one who's inspired all of you (i did not know about the RAADS-R test before they sent that ask, but i am so grateful that they told me about it)

third of all, i hope you don't have to wait too long!

hope you're enjoying the tournament

[awetistic-things]

Hello! I’m awfully sorry if this is going to be quite long however being concise is not one of my skills (too much classic literature I’m afraid, and I need to make my point exactly clear). I never thought about the possibility of being autistic, however my friends have recently started telling me they think that I might be. Now that I’ve thought about it, it makes a fair amount of sense because of behaviors that I do (such as repeatedly flapping my hands and snapping my fingers, and noticing strings of numbers and needing to see if they fit together in any way). I also get quite overwhelmed when a place is too loud or busy or bright. My friends told me to take the RAADS-R test and I got a 174, and I got a 39 on the ASQ. I really relate to a lot of the things that I’ve seen online from people who are autistic, and so now I’m starting to question whether or not I might be.

I talked to my mom and my therapist, and both of them said that they didn’t think that I was. A lot of the things that I wrote down on my list of possible evidence for being neurodivergent are things I don’t really talk about with either of them, so that might be a contributing factor, or I might just be being silly (which is what I’m worried about). For context I am AFAB and a teenager, and I also have an anxiety disorder which may have been what made my score so high.

One thing that I have been doing since thinking about this is spending less time suppressing things like the urge to rock back and forth and flap my hands, which has made me really happy - I usually try to minimize how much I do those, and if I was in fact autistic I would feel less guilty doing those things (of course I shouldn’t feel guilt anyways, but oh well that’s just how my brain is). I was wondering what your thoughts are and if you think there’s a chance I might be autistic. If i’m incorrect, it would be helpful to know and I’m sorry for wasting so much of your time if that’s the case!

Thank you!

hi!

i can actually relate to a lot of the traits you listed, heavy on the fidgeting and sensitivity. but, what you said about how your mom and counselor may not be able to see the more autistic traits because you purposely (or accidentally) don’t show them is definitely plausible (which would be known as “masking”)

also may i just say you listening to your body about stimming (fidgeting) more is really good for you! stimming helps relieve all the pent-up energy inside of you and can be really healthy as well :)

i can’t say 100% whether you have autism or not, but based on my own research and personal experiences it definitely seems like a very strong possibility

i would suggest doing some more research on autism (and consequently yourself), continue to indulge your body on stimming and un-masking, and talk to some other autistic people about your experiences

overall, just don’t be ashamed to advocate for yourself throughout this new journey 😊

[emotionalsupportdman]

me: okay i know i have a tab open with the raads-r test but i have so many tabs open it’ll take too long to scroll to find so i’ll just- *starts typing raads in the search bar*

safari: RAADS-R | Embrace Autism, Opened Tab in Recipes

me: …….thanks

[my-autism-adhd-blog]

i suspect i might be autistic but a part of me thinks maybe not since i’m known to be good at speaking and writing, even as a child. I read a lot growing up too.

Could it be possible that i’ve just read so much that i somehow ended up using these as scripts for interacting with others, whether written or verbal? I keep reading that autistics struggle with metaphors and sarcasm but i think i’m ok with recognizing and using these?

sorry this was not very coherent. i find myself going back and forth with thinking i may possibly be autistic (and how a formal diagnosis may or may not change how i go about life currently). i may be in denial…

Hi there,

I can speak and write well. It’s important to not that everyone on the spectrum is different. Some may have trouble, but others are okay.

If you’re curious if you’re autistic, I can leave some online tests you can take. I know online tests can be unreliable. But I think it’s a good step if you’re suspecting you’re autistic.

RAADS-R Test

Autism Spectrum Quotient

I hope these sources help you. Thank you for the inbox. I hope you have a wonderful day/night. ❤️

[mx-lamour]

From midwest USA - it pretty much works that way here, too. In my assessment, there were a couple other (again, self-reporting) questionnaires to rule out/account for other mental health conditions, but I presented my RAADS-R, AQ, and others as evidence (and didn't have to re-take them). There was also an interview portion, where the psychologist chatted with me and asked me questions about my personal history.

This (Canadian) site is a fantastic resource for getting curious about autism: https://embrace-autism.com/

And for kicks, here are the RESULTS of my formal medical diagnosis (which I got two years after self-diagnosing), as an example of what you pay for (my husband's insurance paid for mine, thank fuck), because why not:

Identity and location info have been redacted, but you still get all my weird personal background from what I reported in the informational interview part of my assessment. (I don't care who knows, and I'll gladly answer more questions about stuff.)

The three tests highlighted on page 1 are the ones they administered that day. I provided the rest of everything on that list, but I think they said they would have had me take at least the RAADS if I hadn't done so already.

My diagnosis and their summary/conclusion are on pages 8-10.

Pretty much all reviews of the tests end with "will use in conjunction with other tests/information" which, yeah. One test is probably not going to do it. (But if you're like me, you might have taken at least five and done your homework besides. Self-diagnose responsibly.)

Hey just letting you self diagnosed autistic people know as a medically diagnosed person.

All those approved tests online made by doctors on self evaluating yourself for autism were used in my ACTUAL medical testing as well. They put the RAADS and Cat Q on me, they gave me “strongly agree-strongly disagree” questions. (Most of) Those tests are just as valid and just as accurate as a medical diagnosis that not everyone has the privilege and access to. You are valid don’t let anyone tell you those tests are “online propaganda for attention seekers” (my mother told me this)

(AlsothisisfromanaustralianIdontknowhowtheamericansystemworks)

[digitallumian]

Basic info!!(excuse the flag I’ll add a proper welcome banner later)

Hi! Welcome to my blog!!

I’m Lumian but i also go by Hazzy occasionally

I’m an Artist, Writer, and the occasional Animator, I don’t post writings here because It’s not good enough to be on here but I might post small writings if I feel like it!

I’m a fan of the Roblox game Kaiju Paradise and many Nintendo IP’s such as Splatoon and Pokemon!, I’m also a fan of games Like Project Sekai, and Vocaloid overall!

I’m Genderfluid, Omnisexual, and on the Aroace spectrum! Also might be Autistic in some way! (Haven’t gotten an official diagnosis however I’ve done countless research for months and always tested myself with the RAADS-R Test over said months with high evidence for autism so i hope thats okay!)

Some of my pronouns include the usual of She/they/he but also include Goo/Gooself, haz/hazself, Cloud/Cloudself. And if this angers people I’ll add more :3

I’m also a furry!! No fursuit yet as those are expensive but one can dream

Most of my content on tumblr will be Kaiju Paradise Related! Occasionally will probably post Splatoon stuff but currently its just Kaiju Paradise!

I also have a TikTok under the name Hazzyfox.kp

My DNI List

My DNI’s aren’t exactly long since I Don’t judge but however there are the basics

Pedophiles DNI

Homophobes DNI

Transphobes DNI

Furry haters,Furry “hunters” or just people who See furries as “lesser than” DNI

Proshippers DNI

SOME Changed Fans DNI

I also have Commissions I can do here ➡️https://shinyhazzyscommissions.carrd.co

(I don’t take actual money because I don’t know how :( )

Overall, I’m just a generic Tumblr blogger who’s posting schedule is inconsistent

Either way I hope those who see this blog find it enjoyable!! Thanks for reading this far and have a good day/night!!

[adhd-worlds]

hello! i just wanted to thank you for that post about how adhd and autism diagnosis criteria dont overlap - it's been on my mind since yesterday and uhh. im Realizing Things. 😅 the thought has been at the back of my mind for a while now due to my communication issues but i dismissed it with 'i got a little autism sprinkled into my adhd thats normal tho, they *are* on the same spectrum after all" but uhh. yeah. i think its gonna be more than that 😬 anyway, im gonna reevaluate my life further ig, thank you again and have a lovely day 💞💞

Hello! I'm glad to be of help! There's a few people in my comments saying that there is an overlap but there isn't! Depending on the study, around 50% of people with ADHD also have autism. Sometimes the %age is a little higher or a little lower.

Over stimulation isn't technically an ADHD symptom. Neither is struggling with eye contact, special interests, struggles with social cues, needing things to be done a certain way. Highly recommend this quiz, the RAADS-R test which is a professional diagnostic test that may be able to help you get some ideas in order. I strongly suggest doing this with a friend because evaluating yourself is hard and others will be more aware of how you come across.

[yelenasdiary]

Heyyy, so today I took the raads r test, and I got 203. Another time an autistic friend sent another accurate test and I also got a high score. I have thought about it for a long time ( before taking any tests ) and after this I’m questioning things. Obviously I’m not autodiagnosing myself. But if it’s true I don’t know how to tell my parents, I’m afraid of their reaction and I don’t know how to approach it. Sorry and thank you

-🐚

Firstly I wanna say that (please correct me if I’m wrong) if you do have autism, there’s nothing to worry about 💖 I have a friend who was diagnosed this year and he’s 26. He also wasn’t sure how to tell his mum about it but when he did she was super cool about it and asked questions of her own.

I know everybody’s parents are different so I can’t speak for them but I’m sure at first it’ll be a shock to them and eventually will probably ask you somethings like, how did you know? What made you think this? Etc.

My therapist wanted me to get tested but I didn’t feel the need to. One of my childhood friends is epileptic & has autism and so I’ve kinda felt I’ve seen it first hand and the signs that come with it but then when I met my other friend he was completely different & that made me think about the different types but still, I didn’t feel the need to get tested.

If you feel the need to get tested, go ahead, it definitely could help answer questions if you have any or it could make somethings make more sense but even if you don’t get tested, that’s still more than okay. Just do whatever you feel is best 💖 I’m here for you

[macademmia]

A good resource if you're curious about maybe having autism is the RAADS-R test. Its free and online, and it's kind of a scale of how likely someone is to be autistic. If you look it up there's an Embrace Autism website that describes what the scores mean in more detail (like it's possible to score low but still be autistic, and other tests to take if you think that's the case.) Good luck in your journey!

thank you anon!!! embrace autism is ALL OVER my search history it’s a great website