<p>The Autism Quotient gave me basically the highest match possible. it's true that
I would rather be alone, but I still have social skills but the test never asked if I had any. the only class that got harder because of it was geometry. i can't visualize anything in my head, period, and that made me struggle for an A- in geometry. im at a grade inflated school so i want to explain the geometry with autism but i feel it would be dishonest unless i got a real diagnosis. but if i get a real diagnosis, im afraid having a diagnosis like that could affect my future employment</p>
<p>
[quote]
The Autism Quotient gave me basically the highest match possible. it's true that
I would rather be alone, but I still have social skills but the test never asked if I had any. the only class that got harder because of it was geometry. i can't visualize anything in my head, period, and that made me struggle for an A- in geometry. im at a grade inflated school so i want to explain the geometry with autism but i feel it would be dishonest unless i got a real diagnosis. but if i get a real diagnosis, im afraid having a diagnosis like that could affect my future employment.
[/quote]
What was your score? The score doesn't really mean all that much because you could have overused the "strongly agree/disagree" options. Plus you already believe you have autism and probably have been researching about the disorder. It's likely that you either consciously or uncounsciously crafted your answers to manipulate the results of the test.</p>
<p>Also, the two tendencies that you mentioned here are completely normal and not specific to autism: preferring to do things on your own and having difficulty with geometry. A lot of people have trouble with geometry because they cannot visualize it; however, it doesn't mean they are autistic.</p>
<p>44 - I'm a pretty good match personality wise for Asperger's</p>
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[quote]
32 - 50 is very high (most people with Asperger Syndrome or high-functioning autism score about 35)
50 is maximum
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44 is really high... I guess get it checked out but I think all the research you have done on these types on mental disorders influenced you when you took the test...</p>
<p>Well, I got 29, which I understand. I have traits of Aspergers, but not necessarily the whole thing. Still, I only say you should report it if it affected your performance and grades. If not, don't even bother.</p>
<p>Are you saying that because I'm (or we, because we're also talking about the OP) smart, and mentioning it on my app, I'm a liar? Because I'm "too smart" to have a mental issue? I've heard this numerous times here on CC (yes, amb3r and FLBoy, I'm talking about you) and in person, and I'm sick of it.</p>
<p>Just as I thought. It's too late. Cable news as already contaminated the minds of viewers with false assumptions of autism. Oh what to do? It's too late now. I'll post more in the morning.</p>
<p>My mom's a pediatric neurologist who treats loads of autistic kids and Aspies, and I have a few autistic traits myself (for example, I would only play with symmetrical toys as a kid), yet she's quite sure I don't have either autism or Asperger's. I scored a 38 on that test, but I doubt my mom's likely to reverse her decision because of it. Some people are just introverted, and that seems like a common enough phenomenon that it wouldn't be worth mentioning on an application.</p>
<p>This kind of reminds me of what I learned about how many schizophrenics are geniuses/extremely intelligent and/or creative. </p>
<p>This is not meant to offend anyone with this disease, but can you see this as a hook?:</p>
<p>"My name is Jackson Pollack. When my schizophrenia is in full swing, I sometimes see things in a way that are different from others. This has greatly enhanced my art and I have won several awards for my paintings. Unfortunately, I cannot guarantee that I will show up for my commitments at these times."</p>
<p>My brother has Asperger's. He's in his final year of college now. Yes he can comprehend what people say. Yes he can study and learn like normal people. Honestly! It doesn't mean that just because someone's autistic they can't function like regular beings.</p>
<p>And to the OP: I understand your want to improve your chances of getting into college, but I don't think autism is gonna be a hook. If you're doing well and they want you, they'll want you. If you're not, chances are autism won't help you get in. And if you're going about your life okay (my brother had to transfer schools 'coz he couldn't get along with teachers/classmates) I don't see a need for you to be diagnosed.</p>
<p>Yeah, if you aren't diagnosed yet you shouldn't even bother trying to mention any type of disability on the application.</p>
<p>Whatapainitis: This is not meant to offend you. Schizophrenia is NOT something good. It is a really really scary illness. For most it is way more than simply seeing things a little differently. Symptoms of schizophrenia include nonsensical talking, hallucinations and inappropriate emotions & actions.</p>
<p>I'm diagnosed Asperger's and have been generally advised NOT to mention it on college applications, especially as I've devised enough coping mechanisms that I shouldn't need special help in college. Most people seem to feel that it's a negative to college counselors, not a positive or some kind of hook.</p>
<p>Honestly, I'm rather offended by your post.</p>
<p>Macaroniandchees, I have members of my own family diagnosed with schizophrenia, so I am well aware of symptoms, but also be aware that they range from person to person. </p>
<p>I actually think that schizophrenia is the genius' disease, because so many gifted people have had it. I actually suspect that there is something in the brain that triggers high intelligence that also triggers mental illness.</p>
<p>I myself believe that I may have some form of autism, because I am extremely intolerant of certain sounds (chewing, lip smacking, snoring) to the point that I want to run away screaming. I almost failed an exam because of a gum chewer once. I've never been able to get rid of it, so I relegate my life to earplugs. This can make business/social situations awkward when I bow out of business lunches, but that's how it is.</p>
<p>I made reference to Jackson Pollack because there was a movie about him and his illness. Also I think there was the move "A Beautiful Mind". Many movies have been written of the connection between mental illness and genius/creativity. It almost seems as if one needs the other. </p>
<p>I have a family member who is diagnosed ADHD (not sure if I agree), and she swears that she is more creative off of medicine, says that medicine "dulls her". But the fact is that she is completely intolerable off of medicine, as she is right now, because her newest idea is to join the Army.</p>
<p>What you have to be aware of in listing any mental illness is that there have been so many ugly stories that people will avoid a person rather than take a chance on them. There was a woman in my area who was a gifted scholar, she went off of her medicine during pregnancy, and disintegrated to the point that she smashed her baby on the pavement and killed it.</p>