Wollen Sie wissen, ob Sie autistisch sind? Der RAADS-R Test kann ein Ausgangspunkt sein

Was ist der RAADS-R?

Die Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised (RAADS-R) ist ein Selbstbericht-Fragebogen, der speziell entwickelt wurde, um Autismus bei Erwachsenen zu identifizieren, die möglicherweise in jungen Jahren nicht diagnostiziert wurden.

Warum ist er wichtig?

Viele Diagnosekriterien basieren auf Beobachtungen von Kindern. Der RAADS-R fragt nach inneren Erfahrungen und berücksichtigt, wie Erwachsene gelernt haben könnten, ihre autistischen Züge zu maskieren oder zu kompensieren.

Its advantages: It is more comprehensive than another common test, the AQ test, covering aspects like sensory sensitivity and motor coordination which are important for many autistic people. Moreover, it is scientifically validated and relatively reliable.

Important note: It is just a screening tool, not a formal diagnosis! Its results can suggest possibilities but cannot give you a definitive label.

Gesprächseinstieg mit Profis

Der Ergebnisbericht ist eine hervorragende Ressource für Gespräche mit Ärzten.

What is masking? It is consciously imitating others' social behaviors and suppressing your natural autistic traits (such as avoiding hand gestures, forcing eye contact, or preparing scripts for small talk) in order to fit into society. Many women, transgender, and non-binary people are often masters of masking due to societal pressure. This can lead to them not scoring 'high' on the test or being overlooked by doctors.

So, if your test score is not high but you still strongly suspect it, it doesn't mean you are not. You might need to look at tests that focus more on 'masking' and 'internal experience', such as the CAT-Q.

My test experience and feelings

I took the RAADS-R myself, and many questions made me smile (or smile bitterly). For example:

About social interaction: I am often unsure if I have offended others, and it is hard to judge if others are bored or interested.

About senses: Certain sounds hurt my ears, and the texture of clothes is much more important than the style.

About thinking: I like to dive into details, and my thoughts are stored like file cards, retrieved when needed.

About communication: I sometimes speak too directly, don't understand idioms and jokes, and can't grasp the rhythm of chatting.

My final score was 167, falling into the 'very strong evidence of autism' range. This was not a surprise to me; it was like a puzzle piece confirming my years of self-feeling.

What to do next?

Treat the result as a puzzle piece: A high score is a strong signal encouraging you to explore further. A low score doesn't mean a complete denial, especially if you feel you are good at masking.

Explore more relevant tools: I strongly recommend checking out the CAT-Q test, which specifically assesses 'masking' behaviors and is a 'soul-searching' experience for many late-discovered autistic people.

Review your life story: A formal diagnosis will look at your developmental history. You can ask your family if you had signs like late speech, unusually focused interests, or social difficulties when you were a child.

Seek community support: Whether you seek a formal diagnosis or not, you can join some autistic adult communities. Listening to others' stories and sharing your own experiences, you will find that you are not alone.

Stay curious, stay vigilant: Research on autism is constantly updating. At the same time, be wary of information that claims to 'cure' autism or is full of negative bias.

Final words

The journey of self-discovery can be long and full of confusion. The RAADS-R can be a useful starting point to help you clear your thoughts. But remember, the person who knows you best is always yourself. Regardless of the test result, your feelings and experiences are real and valid. I hope this information helps you. Take your time and keep exploring.