Color-Coded Autism Self-Assessment Handbook Version 1.0

Transcription

1 This resource is intended to assist in realizing whether or not you may be Autistic. It cannot wield the legal power of an official diagnosis, which may be necessary to obtain certain supports and accommodations depending on one s situation and needs. For those who cannot access an official assessment or those who do not need to get a diagnosis, tools such as this checklist exist to help in self-evaluation. This specific checklist is uniquely designed to increase self-awareness of Autistic traits and to be utilized to promote further self-help. The first section is a set of 29 statements designed to help identify some of the more difficult traits to observe in one's self. Directly following each question it is suggested what traits a positive response to the item might indicate. Some thought will be needed (it is an assessment after all) to determine which traits are most applicable to your personal experience. In many instances, a non-autistic person might agree with a statement but for non-autistic reasons. This is because these particular statements reflect how the facts have gotten masked. If none of the traits given apply, then you may either write in your answer or dismiss the statement. The second part is the complete diagnostic criteria presented in two different ways: conventional and more insightful. The colored checkboxes are to the left of the sections and I recommend also circling each trait that applies. I also strongly recommend writing in notes as needed and marking details you find important. Having such specific information may prove useful in the future. At the end of this handbook is a short section titled A Few Insights and it includes the chart of Autistic behaviors. The information here is for further self-understanding. *This resource may be modified or improved in the future. 1

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7 Scoring the Assessment The conventional diagnostic requirements are traits in each of the large square categories given below AND in at least two of the four small square categories. You may elect to add and write in your total positive responses for each category. Assessment Comments Section: [Use this section for notes or observations such as listing the traits you feel are most troublesome or identifying preliminary personal development goals.] 7

8 A Few Insights Typically, when an adult seeks a professional diagnosis, support and help isn t available until after the process and even then there is very little in existence for adults. Most resources are geared for training Autistic children to blend in with their peers. Fortunately, you don t have to have an official diagnosis to improve your life. * Much progress can be made by embracing one s Autistic self. Doing so isn t just a matter of building self-esteem or reducing the inner struggle. It also helps one become acquainted with and grow accustomed to using their instincts and intuition which have most likely gotten (subconsciously) suppressed or ignored along with all the other Autistic traits due to attempting to be non-autistic. * Create a personalized plan by identifying development goals (i.e. what you need, or would like, to be able to do) and the steps for how they can be achieved. Write these down and treat it like a leisurely to-do list. * Once you can identify areas that you struggle in, you are half way to overcoming the challenges. For each area identified, devise strategies for coping and overcoming. A strategy may be as simple as discussing the matter or it may be a series of steps that can get you around the obstacle. Reading about the experiences of other people is one good way to find strategies that have worked for others. * Work with yourself instead of against yourself. For a better chance of success, make certain that your strategies play to your strengths and put your strengths to work for you. * Remember that communication runs two ways and complications related to it are often the product of both parties. * Also remember that Autism is often poorly understood. Do not blindly expect people to automatically understand what it means or to know what you may or may not need. They may need help in fully understanding it. * Once a person realizes that their life has been affected by their Autistic traits, they usually go through several distinct stages on the road to acceptance. Often one will review every event and interaction they can recall but this time with applying their new understanding. This is often accompanied by feelings of relief, hopefulness, sadness and despair, though not necessarily in that order. All of this is common to experience. * Do remember that Autistic Burnout (also called Regression ) is a very common result of long-term navigation of a non-autistic world. Prevention includes allowing yourself adequate preparation and recovery time, and not pushing yourself too far past your limits and practice setting boundaries. 8

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