NT Behavioral Survey

The purpose of the NT Behavioral surveys is to compare characteristics common to autism with those of Neurotypical (NT, normal) people. These surveys should be taken by neurotypical persons only (neuroatypicals of any type should not take these surveys) about themselves. Again, as with the "Who Am I" surveys, these are not intended to attempt diagnosis as AC. They are for comparison purposes only.

The following questions are a general survey of traits that are commonly considered to be indicative of autism, but may not be restricted to autistic people. Please answer these questions as briefly as possible. However, keeping in mind that pat answers are often not entirely applicable, text input has been provided to allow for explanation of the answer if you feel there is a need for it.

All radio () button choices are required. Just give the closest answer you can or "No" if you really just don't know. All other required fields are marked as such.

A Note to Curmudgeons: If you have the need to make a snide, cynical or sarcastic remark, feel free, but please identify it as such. :-)

Classification (for statistical purposes only)

Please state the year of your birth (required):

Please state your gender:

(III) Cognitive Characteristics

(a) Susceptibility to distraction

(b) Difficulty in expressing emotions

(c) Resistance to or failure to respond to talk therapy

(d) Mental shutdown response to conflicting demands and multi-tasking

(e) Generalized confusion during periods of stress

(f) Low understanding of the reciprocal rules of conversation: interrupting, dominating, minimum participation, difficult in shifting topics, problem with initiating or terminating conversation, subject perseveration

(g) Insensitivity to the non-verbal cues of others (stance, posture, facial expressions)

(h) Perseveration best characterized by the term "bulldog tenacity"

(i) Literal interpretation of instructions (failure to read between the lines)

(j) Interpreting words and phrases literally (problem with colloquialisms, cliches, neologism, turns of phrase, common humorous expressions)

(k) Preference for visually oriented instruction and training

(l) Dependence on step-by-step learning procedures (disorientation occurs when a step is assumed, deleted, or otherwise overlooked in instruction)

(m) Difficulty in generalizing

(n) Preference for repetitive, often simple routines

(o) Difficulty in understanding rules for games of social entertainment

(p) Missing or misconstruing others' agendas, priorities, preferences

(q) Impulsiveness

(r) Compelling need to finish one task completely before starting another

(s) Rigid adherence to rules and routines

(t) Difficulty in interpreting meaning to others' activities; difficulty in drawing relationships between an activity or event and ideas

(u) Exquisite attention to detail, principally visual, or details which can be visualized ("Thinking in Pictures") or cognitive details (often those learned by rote)

(v) Concrete thinking

(w) Difficulty in assessing relative importance of details (an aspect of the trees/forest problem)

(x) Poor judgment of when a task is finished (often attributable to perfectionism or an apparent unwillingness to follow differential standards for quality)

(y) Difficulty in imagining others' thoughts in a similar or identical event or circumstance that are different from one's own ("Theory of Mind" issues)

(z) Difficulty in assessing cause and effect relationships (behaviors and consequences)

(aa) An apparent lack of "common sense"

(bb) Relaxation techniques and developing recreational "release" interest may require formal instruction

(cc) Rage, tantrum, shutdown, self-isolating reactions appearing "out of nowhere"

(dd) Substantial hidden self-anger, anger towards others, and resentment

(ee) Difficulty in estimating time to complete tasks

(ff) Difficulty in learning self-monitoring techniques

(gg) Disinclination to produce expected results in an orthodox manner

(hh) Psychometric testing shows great deviance between verbal and performance results

(ii) Extreme reaction to changes in routine, surroundings, people

(jj) Stilted, pedantic conversational style ("The Professor")

(IV) Work Characteristics Note: If you have never been employed, apply this section to other "formal" or structured settings (school, meetings, etc.).

(a) Difficulty with "teamwork"

(b) Deliberate withholding of peak performance due to belief that one's best efforts may remain unrecognized, unrewarded, or appropriated by others

(c) Intense pride in expertise or performance, often perceived by others as "flouting behavior"

(d) Expresses sarcasm, negativism, criticism

(e) Difficulty in accepting compliments, often responding with quizzical or self-deprecatory language

(f) Tendency to "lose it" during sensory overload, multitask demands, or when contradictory and confusing priorities have been set

(g) Difficult in starting project

(h) Discomfort with competition, out of scale reactions to losing

(i) Low motivation to perform tasks of no immediate personal interest

(j) Oversight or forgetting of tasks without formal reminders such as lists or schedules

(k) Great concern about order and appearance of personal work area

(l) Slow performance

(m) Perfectionism

(n) Difficult with unstructured time

(o) Reluctance to ask for help or seek comfort

(p) Excessive questions

(q) Low sensitivity to risks in the environment to self and/or others

(r) Difficulty with writing and reports

(s) Reliance on internal speech process to "talk" oneself through a task or procedure

(t) Stress, frustration and anger reaction to interruptions

(u) Difficulty in negotiating either in conflict situations or as a self-advocate

(v) Very low level of assertiveness

(w) Reluctance to accept positions of authority or supervision

(x) Strong desire to coach or mentor newcomers

(y) Difficulty in handling relationships with authority figures

(z) Often viewed as vulnerable or less able to resist harassment and badgering by others

(aa) Punctual and conscientious

(bb) Avoids socializing, "hanging out," or small talk on and off the job