BEYOND THE NORM
Many of us have asked ourselves: Why do I think differently? Why do I experience the world in a way that others don’t? If you’ve ever felt this way, this space is for you. Here, you’ll find information, personal insights, and a self-assessment tool to help you better understand your unique cognitive profile.


Exploring Neurodiversity: Am I Autistic, Asperger’s, or Simply Wired Differently?
The labels we often hear—“autistic,” “Asperger’s,” or “neurodiverse”—can be confusing. Today’s understanding of autism has evolved, and here’s how you might approach these terms:
Modern diagnostic systems, like the DSM-5, no longer separate Asperger’s syndrome from autism; instead, they view autism as a spectrum. This spectrum encompasses a wide range of traits and abilities, emphasizing that each individual’s experience is unique. In this framework, labels are less about defining deficits and more about describing differences in social communication, repetitive behaviors, and sensory processing.
The term “neurodiversity” takes this a step further by celebrating the natural variations in human brain function. It suggests that what we often label as “disorders” are simply different ways of experiencing and interacting with the world. Embracing neurodiversity means recognizing that every cognitive profile—whether it falls within the autism spectrum or not—brings its own strengths, insights, and challenges.
In essence, whether you identify as autistic, have a history of Asperger’s, or consider yourself neurodiverse, the most important aspect is how you understand and embrace your own experience. The formal diagnostic criteria provide a useful framework for identifying areas where you might benefit from support, but they do not define the entirety of who you are. Your personal journey, including how you feel, think, and interact with the world, is at the heart of your identity.
Ultimately, the decision on how to label your experience is deeply personal. It can be empowering to see your unique cognitive traits as valuable variations rather than shortcomings. Whether you choose to identify with one label, a combination, or none at all, your understanding of yourself is what truly matters.
TOOL
Introduction: A Personal Journey into Neurodiversity
This self-assessment tool is a personal resource that has helped me understand my own neurodiverse traits and can serve as a supportive guide for others exploring their unique cognitive profiles. While it is not a formal diagnosis, it is grounded in established clinical criteria—such as those found in the DSM-5—and draws on other well-regarded instruments like the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ). My own experience with this tool has provided valuable insights, and I hope that sharing this journey can empower you to reflect on your own neurodiversity.
The Self-Assessment Tool: A Reflective Approach
The tool is designed as a series of questions that encourage introspection about how you process information, interact socially, and experience the world through your senses. It has been divided into three key sections, each focusing on a critical aspect of neurodiversity:
-
Social Communication and Interaction:
Questions in this section explore how you initiate and maintain conversations, interpret nonverbal cues, and navigate social situations. -
Repetitive Behaviors and Routines:
This part examines your need for routines, how you handle changes, and the presence of focused or repetitive interests that may define your day-to-day experience. -
Sensory Processing and Emotional Intensity:
Here, you reflect on your responses to sensory stimuli—such as noise, light, and texture—and assess the intensity of your emotional experiences, a common feature in neurodiverse profiles.
Understanding the Four Neurodiversity Profiles
Based on your responses, the tool suggests that individuals may align with one of four neurodiversity profiles. For example, my own results pointed me toward a high sensitivity profile—a pattern characterized by heightened sensory awareness and strong emotional responses. The four profiles are intended to encapsulate the range of experiences within neurodiversity, such as:
-
Profile 1: High Sensitivity
Marked by an amplified sensory and emotional experience, this profile may resonate with those who find everyday stimuli particularly impactful.
-
Profile 2: Social Communication Challenges
This profile emphasizes difficulties in social interaction and interpreting nonverbal cues, suggesting a need for tailored support in social contexts.
-
Profile 3: Repetitive and Rigid Patterns
Individuals here might lean heavily on routines and repetitive behaviors, reflecting a preference for predictability and structure in daily life.
-
Profile 4: Integrated Neurodiversity
A balanced blend where traits across social, repetitive, and sensory domains are present in unique combinations—highlighting both strengths and areas for support.
A Tool for Reflection and Empowerment
My journey with this self-assessment has been deeply personal and enlightening. It provided a framework to understand my own neurodivergent traits and has served as a conversation starter with professionals and loved ones alike. I present this tool to you as a means to encourage self-reflection—perhaps some insights from my experience might help you chart your own path toward understanding and embracing your neurodiversity.
Below is a set of 20 questions divided into three sections. This tool was designed as a reflective aid, inspired by clinical frameworks like the DSM-5 and instruments such as the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ). It isn’t a formal diagnostic test but rather a guide to help you explore aspects of your neurodiversity. You can use it to gain insights into your personal profile and identify areas where you might benefit from further support or reflection.
Instructions
For each question below, answer “Yes” if the statement resonates with your experience, or “No” if it does not. Once you’ve completed the test, tally your “Yes” responses in each section to see which areas—social communication, repetitive behaviors, or sensory/emotional processing—are most prominent for you.
Section 1: Social Communication and Interaction
-
Difficulty Initiating Conversations:
Do you find it difficult to initiate or maintain conversations, especially with people you don't know well? -
Interpreting Non-Verbal Cues:
Do you struggle to interpret non-verbal cues such as gestures and facial expressions? -
Understanding Figurative Language:
Do you have trouble understanding sarcasm, irony, or metaphors? -
Preference for Solitude:
Do you prefer spending time alone or engaging in solitary activities rather than participating in social events? -
Emotional Expression:
Do you find it challenging to express or identify your own emotions or the emotions of others? -
Attention to Detail Over the Big Picture:
Do you tend to focus on details that others might overlook, sometimes losing sight of the bigger picture? -
Written Over Verbal Communication:
Do you prefer communicating through written means (such as texting) rather than face-to-face interactions? -
Interpreting Others’ Intentions:
Do you find it difficult to interpret the intentions or motivations behind other people's actions? -
Social Anxiety with Strangers:
Do social interactions, especially with unfamiliar people, cause you anxiety or confusion? -
Direct Expression of Opinions:
Do you tend to express your opinions in a direct manner, even if it might seem unusual to others? -
Understanding Implicit Social Norms:
Do you struggle to understand implicit social norms without explicit explanations?
Section 2: Repetitive Behaviors and Routines
-
Preference for Routine:
Do you prefer having a set daily routine and feel uncomfortable when unexpected changes occur? -
Intense Focus on Interests:
Are you intensely passionate about certain topics or activities to the point of becoming overly focused on them? -
Comfort in Repetition:
Do you find comfort in repeating specific rituals or behaviors? -
Anxiety with Disrupted Routines:
Do you feel uncomfortable or anxious when your routine is disrupted by unexpected changes? -
Need for Clear Structure:
Do you feel more secure when rules and expectations are clearly defined and structured? -
Distinctive Interests:
Do you feel that your interests or ways of thinking differ significantly from what is considered “conventional”?
Section 3: Sensory Processing and Emotional Intensity
-
Sensitivity to Sensory Stimuli:
Are you especially sensitive to sensory stimuli such as loud noises, bright lights, or certain textures? -
Overwhelm in Stimulating Environments:
Do you feel overwhelmed in environments with high sensory stimulation, like crowded events or noisy places? -
Intense Emotional Responses:
Do you perceive that your emotional responses are more intense compared to those of people around you?
Scoring & Reflection
-
Step 1: Answer “Yes” or “No” for each question.
-
Step 2: Tally the number of “Yes” responses in each section.
-
Step 3: Reflect on your scores:
-
Section 1: A high number of “Yes” answers may indicate challenges in social communication and interaction.
-
Section 2: A higher score suggests a strong preference for routines and repetitive behaviors.
-
Section 3: A significant number of “Yes” responses may point to heightened sensory sensitivity and emotional intensity.
-
This tool is intended as a starting point for self-reflection. While it draws on established clinical criteria and research, it is not a substitute for a formal diagnosis. It can, however, help you gain clarity on your neurodiverse profile and guide you in seeking additional support if needed.
Feel free to use this test as part of your personal journey, and remember that your experience is unique. Your results are just one piece of the puzzle in understanding your neurodiversity.
Education
Below is a detailed explanation of the four neurodiversity profiles, including where the information is derived from and how you can integrate and adapt these profiles into a precise guide after taking the self-assessment test.
Explaining the Four Neurodiversity Profiles
Profile 1: High Sensitivity
This profile is marked by an amplified sensory and emotional experience. Individuals who align with this profile often find that everyday stimuli—such as sounds, lights, or textures—have a much stronger impact on them than on others. They may also experience emotions more intensely.
-
Sources:
-
DSM-5 Criteria: Recognizes sensory processing differences as part of the autism spectrum.
-
Research on Sensory Sensitivity: Studies on sensory processing in autism and work on Highly Sensitive Persons (HSP) have shown that heightened sensory awareness can be both a strength and a challenge.
-
-
Guide Adaptation:
For a guide, you might include strategies for managing overstimulation (such as creating quiet spaces or using sensory tools) as well as highlighting the creative and perceptual strengths that can come from heightened sensitivity.
Profile 2: Social Communication Challenges
This profile emphasizes difficulties in social interaction and interpreting nonverbal cues. Individuals here might struggle with initiating conversations, reading body language, or understanding implicit social rules.
-
Sources:
-
DSM-5 Criteria: Lists deficits in social communication and interaction as core aspects of autism.
-
Instruments like the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ): These tools help identify traits related to social communication difficulties.
-
-
Guide Adaptation:
A guide for this profile could offer advice on social skills training, communication strategies (like role-playing or social narratives), and resources for building supportive social networks.
Profile 3: Repetitive and Rigid Patterns
This profile is characterized by a strong preference for routines and repetitive behaviors. People in this group might find comfort in predictability and may experience distress when their routines are disrupted.
-
Sources:
-
DSM-5 Criteria: Identifies restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior as a key diagnostic feature of autism.
-
Clinical Observations and Research: Studies indicate that such behaviors can serve as a coping mechanism to reduce anxiety in unpredictable environments.
-
-
Guide Adaptation:
For individuals with this profile, the guide could focus on creating structured environments, introducing gradual changes to routines, and providing tools for managing anxiety when unexpected events occur.
Profile 4: Integrated Neurodiversity
This profile represents a balanced blend where traits across social, repetitive, and sensory/emotional domains are present. Individuals here do not fit neatly into one single category but exhibit a unique combination of strengths and challenges from each area.
-
Sources:
-
Holistic Models of Neurodiversity: Emerging perspectives in neuroscience and psychology emphasize that human cognition is complex and multifaceted.
-
Combination of DSM-5 and Self-Assessment Tools: This integrated view draws from the clinical framework alongside personal insights from self-assessment tools like the AQ.
-
-
Guide Adaptation:
In a guide, this profile can be presented as a reminder that each person’s neurodiverse experience is unique. The guide might include customizable strategies that help individuals leverage their strengths while addressing challenges in any or all areas.
An Integrative Approach: Merging Science with Personal Experience
Your personal journey through neurodivergence is informed not only by scientific research but also by your own emotional experiences and questions. Here are some reflections that might resonate with those seeking answers:
-
Embracing Diversity in Thinking:
Just as the DSM-5 acknowledges a spectrum, personal experiences reveal that there is no “one-size-fits-all” when it comes to autism. Many find empowerment in understanding that what might be labeled as a “deficit” in one context can be a unique strength in another, such as exceptional attention to detail or innovative problem-solving skills. -
Navigating Emotional Landscapes:
The process of self-discovery often comes with emotional ups and downs. Recognizing the biological and psychological underpinnings of these experiences can provide comfort and validation. Knowing that challenges in social communication or sensory processing have a basis in brain function can help mitigate feelings of isolation or inadequacy. -
Integrative Support Systems:
An effective approach to embracing neurodivergence involves multidisciplinary support. This may include therapeutic interventions, community support, and educational resources that respect and celebrate individual differences. Each step forward in research and clinical practice offers new tools for individuals to harness their unique strengths and address challenges.
Conclusion
This journey through neurodivergence underscores that understanding the autism spectrum—from its DSM-5 definition to the latest scientific insights—is not just an academic pursuit. It is a pathway toward self-acceptance, empowerment, and informed support. By integrating clinical definitions with ongoing research and personal lived experience, we can create a resource that speaks to both the mind and the heart—helping others find clarity and strength in their own neurodivergent identities.
Bibliographic references and descriptions of the original sources that informed the development of this self-assessment tool. However, due to copyright restrictions, I can’t display the full original texts online.
Primary Sources
1. DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition)
-
Description:
The DSM-5, published by the American Psychiatric Association in 2013, is the authoritative manual used by clinicians to diagnose mental disorders. Its criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) form the clinical basis for many of the questions in our test, particularly regarding social communication challenges, repetitive behaviors, and sensory sensitivities. -
Reference:
American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing, 2013. -
More Information:
You can find more details on the DSM-5 through the American Psychiatric Association’s website.
2. Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ)
-
Description:
The Autism Spectrum Quotient is a self-administered questionnaire developed by Simon Baron-Cohen and colleagues in 2001. It measures the degree to which an adult with normal intelligence may exhibit traits associated with the autism spectrum. Many items in our test were inspired by the AQ’s focus on social communication, attention to detail, and sensory experiences. -
Reference:
Baron-Cohen, S., Wheelwright, S., Skinner, R., Martin, J., & Clubley, E. (2001). The Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ): Evidence from Asperger Syndrome/High-Functioning Autism, Males and Females, and a Normative Sample. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 31(1), 5–17. -
More Information:
You can locate the original paper via academic databases or directly through your institution’s library resources. A DOI for the article is 10.1023/A:1010415646319.
How These Sources Inform the Test
-
DSM-5 Criteria:
The test’s sections on social communication, repetitive behaviors, and sensory processing draw directly from the diagnostic criteria described in the DSM-5. These criteria have been widely adopted in clinical practice, ensuring that the test reflects well-established diagnostic frameworks. -
Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ):
The AQ provides a validated set of questions that assess autistic traits in adults. Its structure and focus areas influenced the design of our questions, ensuring that they resonate with common experiences reported by neurodiverse individuals.

A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Your Neurodiversity Profile
Source Transparency:
This profiles are grounded in reputable scientific sources, including the DSM-5, the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), and current neuroscience research on sensory processing and social communication. This robust foundation builds credibility and helps you understand that the insights provided are based on established clinical criteria and up-to-date research.
Flexible and Overlapping Categories:
It's important to know that these profiles are not rigid classifications. They serve as overlapping frameworks—acknowledging that many people may find traits from more than one profile within themselves. This flexibility reflects the natural diversity of human cognition and means that experiencing a mix of traits is perfectly normal.
Personalization:
We encourage you to use your self-assessment scores as a guide rather than a definitive label. Reflect on your individual experiences and consider how the different profiles resonate with you. By exploring examples or case studies tailored to each profile, you can better understand how various strategies might work uniquely for you.
Support Strategies:
For each profile, we've tailored advice and resources to help you thrive:
-
High Sensitivity: Explore strategies for creating sensory-friendly environments and managing sensory overload.
-
Social Communication Challenges: Find social skills workshops, communication strategies, and supportive resources to enhance your interactions.
-
Repetitive and Rigid Patterns: Discover routine management tips, methods to gradually adapt to changes, and techniques to reduce anxiety.
-
Integrated Neurodiversity: Benefit from a combination of approaches that address multiple aspects of neurodiversity, harnessing your unique strengths while supporting any areas of challenge.
By organizing our guide in this way, we provide you with a comprehensive resource that not only explains the nuances of neurodiversity but also empowers you to use your self-assessment results to better understand yourself and seek the support that best fits your unique needs.

Tools & Exploration
Understanding your neurodivergence is just the first step. Explore practical tools for sensory regulation, cognitive strategies, and emotional balance in our Tools & Exploration section.
Creative Flow & Emotional Balance: Inviting Collaboration & Speaking Opportunities
I offer engaging talks on art, neurodivergence, and emotional well-being, exploring how creativity and symbolic thinking can help regulate stress and enhance personal growth.
-Workshops, conferences & private events
-Art as a tool for self-regulation & resilience
-Open to collaborations & speaking invitations
✨ Let’s create something meaningful together!
Contact me for details.
