My friends and I recently took the Cat-Q test, which is a questionnaire used to assess how much one “masks” autistic traits. We took it casually because one friend brought it up, then compared results with each other.
But while filling it out, every one of us had to stop and consult each other because of ambiguous questions. We also found the design of the answers (which are all ranges from “Strongly Disagree” to “Strongly Agree”) to be difficult to work with. There’s no official explanation to clarify vague statements, and the responses we wanted to give would’ve varied depending on context. One friend (the one with the most psychology training) said to “fill it out as if we hadn’t acquired coping mechanisms yet.” Which makes sense, but isn’t stated anywhere on the questionnaire.
We’re autistic, damn it - the psychologists designing a diagnostic tool for us should know full well that without clear directions, we’re going to struggle to fill out this sort of form. I understand it’s just a tool, possibly one used during bs insurance situations, and thus is designed to benefit someone besides us. At the same time, there are so many simple ways this questionnaire can be made less stressful for the people who fill it out, that it’s almost insulting to keep it as-is.
Honestly, my takeaway from that test, was that that was the point. If you struggle to complete the test, you are on the spectrum, regardless of the actual answers you give.
Spoken as someone who struggled with the test only marginally less than his partner, specifically due to masking/coping methods learned growing up with family that don’t believe mid-high functioning autism is real (I have a cousin who struggled with speech early on, whose speech therapy consisted of being smacked in the mouth and told to speak properly - damn did that kid learn to mask fast).
Are we siblings? My parents were the same way (they might still be, but for the sake of my mental health I don’t discuss autism with them.) Add in that when a kid shows intelligence in other areas, a lot of people are quick to dismiss the idea that they may struggle with anything. Sure makes it fun when you can’t recognize your own speech’s tone or volume, and now you’re in trouble yet again because obviously you’re intentionally being rude.
Sorry, I had to rant for a moment there. My tone still causes me issues (as recently as this week!) despite me putting on the cheeriest mask I can muster. Not sure what else I can do, but after 36 years of trying, it sure would be nice to receive some understanding.
My friends and I recently took the Cat-Q test, which is a questionnaire used to assess how much one “masks” autistic traits. We took it casually because one friend brought it up, then compared results with each other.
But while filling it out, every one of us had to stop and consult each other because of ambiguous questions. We also found the design of the answers (which are all ranges from “Strongly Disagree” to “Strongly Agree”) to be difficult to work with. There’s no official explanation to clarify vague statements, and the responses we wanted to give would’ve varied depending on context. One friend (the one with the most psychology training) said to “fill it out as if we hadn’t acquired coping mechanisms yet.” Which makes sense, but isn’t stated anywhere on the questionnaire.
We’re autistic, damn it - the psychologists designing a diagnostic tool for us should know full well that without clear directions, we’re going to struggle to fill out this sort of form. I understand it’s just a tool, possibly one used during bs insurance situations, and thus is designed to benefit someone besides us. At the same time, there are so many simple ways this questionnaire can be made less stressful for the people who fill it out, that it’s almost insulting to keep it as-is.
Honestly, my takeaway from that test, was that that was the point. If you struggle to complete the test, you are on the spectrum, regardless of the actual answers you give.
Are we siblings? My parents were the same way (they might still be, but for the sake of my mental health I don’t discuss autism with them.) Add in that when a kid shows intelligence in other areas, a lot of people are quick to dismiss the idea that they may struggle with anything. Sure makes it fun when you can’t recognize your own speech’s tone or volume, and now you’re in trouble yet again because obviously you’re intentionally being rude.
Sorry, I had to rant for a moment there. My tone still causes me issues (as recently as this week!) despite me putting on the cheeriest mask I can muster. Not sure what else I can do, but after 36 years of trying, it sure would be nice to receive some understanding.