Here are some online psychological tests that can be used as part of an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) self-diagnosis.
Simon Baron-Cohen is well known for his research into Autism, some of it is quite controversial (particularly the “Extreme Male Brain” theory which is widely rejected in the Autism community). There are some interesting tests based on his work though, GlennRowe.net has some online tests for Systemising Quotient, Empathy Quotient, Autism Spectrum Quotient, and the Mind in the Eyes test [1].
There is an online Alexithymia test, note that the Alexithymia.us site has no other useful content other than the test [3]. It would be useful if someone would create a better site about Alexithymia. I’d be happy to provide hosting for a forum if someone would do the moderation.
The problem with Extreme Male Brain theory is most people don’t have the first clue what it actually means. If they did, rather than basing their dislike on a superficial (and false) interpretation of what those three words mean, they may begin to see that it make a lot of sense.
In the Neurotypical world, the majority of men are Systematisers. That is (basically) their brain puts things into categories and they can figure out how things work. As the majority of men are Systematisers, systematising can be considered the primary trait representative of the Male Brain.
Conversely, the majority of Neurotypical women are Empathisers – their brain is highly attuned to feeling and understanding the emotional needs of others. As the majority of women are Empathisers, empathising can be considered the primary trait representative of the Female Brain.
The majority of Autistics are “Extreme Systematisers”, and possess a brain more highly attuned than others for spotting patterns, seeing how things work and putting things into categories than do other systematisers. Since the typical Male Brain systematises, and the typical Autistic brain systematises to a considerably greater (“extreme”) degree, it makes perfect sense to consider that Autistics have an Extreme Male Brain … that is an extreme version of the cognitive ability found predominantly in the brains of non-Autistic males. Extreme Male Brain has ‘nothing’ to do with gender, gender identity or sexuality.
Empathising Brain = majority of Neurotypical females = Female Brain
Systematising Brain = majority of Neurotypical males = Male Brain
Extreme Systematising Brain = majority of Autistics (irrespective of gender) = Extreme Male Brain
Further to this, there is considerable research into Neurotypicals having “gendered brains” … and they also often jump to the same spurious conclusions as to how this is somehow related to their physical gender or sexuality. For example, a Neurotypical male with an empathising brain will be considered, due to the minority of males (but majority of females) who have such a brain, to have a Female Brain. This is not some conspiracy against Autistics or attack on their sexuality or gender identity, but is based upon the ‘gendered brain’ research that goes back well beyond Baron-Cohen’s EMB hypothesis.
I do not reject the compelling hypothesis of Extreme Male Brain. What I do reject, however, is that our brain is disordered, diseased or defective.
Re: Alexithymia
What is commonly not known about Alexithymia is the deleterious effect it can have upon one’s ability to prioritise. While no doubt many Autistics can be lazy, this should not be confused with an Alexithymic difficulty with prioritisation. The ability to prioritise is not cognitive as most people believe, but is in fact emotional … putting an emotional value on Task A over Task B. For a person without that innate understanding of emotions** prioritising one’s time can be difficult. The three keys to Alexithymic prioritisation issues are structure, structure and structure.
** Autistic Alexithymia is called “Primary Alexithymia”, as we were born this way. Secondary Alexithymia, which is by far the most common type, is frequently developed in people with various mental health issues (eating disorders, PTSD, anxiety, substance abuse issues, etc).
Autism Quotient 43
Alexithymia Test 151 … you show high alexithymic traits
Rdos Aspie-quiz
Your Aspie score: 172 of 200
Your neurotypical (non-autistic) score: 29 of 200
You are very likely an Aspie
I am a formally “identified” Asperger male (… and lovin’ it) , researcher and advocate.