Unlocking Your Neurotype: A Guide to Self-Assessment Tools and Therapeutic Insights

Many of us are curious about our neurotype. How do we see and experience the world? What role does our neurotype play in our everyday interactions and relationships? How is our brain wired? There are many tools available to help you get to know your neurotype, particularly if you are exploring the possibility of an autistic neurotype.

Some of my go-to free self-assessment tools are readily available in the public domain. Although there is not one assessment that can provide a definitive diagnosis, there are several self-assessments that can be helpful in understanding your experience. Embrace Autism offers a collection of validated self-assessments, including:

• The RAADS-R (Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised)

• The AQ (Autism Spectrum Quotient)

• The CAT-Q (Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire)

• The TAS (Toronto Alexithymia Scale), although not a measure for autism, alexithymia is highly correlated with autistic neurotypes.

An additional screening that might be helpful focuses on monotropism. Monotropism is a cognitive approach where one's attention zooms in on a narrow set of interests or tasks with intense focus, with a difficulty shifting away from the preferred interest. Monotropism is a lens through which many autistic individuals experience and interact with the world.

• Monotropism Questionnaire

If exploring some of these tools does not satisfy your desire to understand and know your neurotype, you can explore a more formal diagnosis through other means, including a full neuropsychological assessment or a therapeutic assessment. Therapeutic assessment is an interactive and collaborative approach to assessment in which the client actively participates in formulating questions and providing information. This process emphasizes respect for the client as the expert on themselves. The feedback process is a key element of the therapeutic assessment, and includes reframing of experiences as well as recommendations for ongoing supports.

Most importantly, another option is to learn from autistic voices. If you are exploring your neurotype, it can be incredibly validating and liberating to hear the perspectives of autistic individuals, especially from a neuroaffirming lens. Some great books to explore:

• Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity by Dr. Devon Price

• Divergent Mind: Thriving in a World that Wasn't Designed for You by Jenara Nerenberg

• The Autistic's Guide to Self-Discovery: Flourishing as a Neurodivergent Adult by Sol Smith

Podcasts to explore:

• Divergent Conversations: Two AuDHD therapists sharing their knowledge and perspectives as late-diagnosed adults

• The Autistic Voice Project: autistic voices validating culture, identity and experience

It would be irresponsible to not acknowledge and highlight the current political landscape around autism diagnoses. Devon Price provides a wonderful overview of the risks of a formal autism diagnosis.

At Merrimack River Wellness, we provide therapeutic assessments and consultation to support late diagnosed and/or exploring individuals. And, we want to emphasize that a formal diagnosis is not required to validate your experience. Connecting with autistic community, exploring neuro-affirming resources and embracing your unique neurotype with compassion and acceptance are valid paths on your learning journey.