Category Reference

Every category, every level, every modifier. Read through to understand the code, or just browse to see if you recognize yourself somewhere.

Format version gamma · last updated · what changed

Build your code

Where these dimensions come from

The dimension coverage here was informed by the Autism Symptom Dimensions Questionnaire, an open-source research instrument. Eight of the current core dimensions were added to close gaps it identified — social connection, peer reciprocity, social context reading, nonverbal communication, pattern focus, systematizing, sensory seeking, and object interaction.

Frazier, T. W., Dimitropoulos, A., et al. (2023). The Autism Symptom Dimensions Questionnaire: Development and psychometric evaluation of a new, open-source measure of autism symptomatology. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 65, 1081–1092.

Borrowing its dimension coverage is not the same as being it. The ASDQ is a validated informant-report screening instrument; the Spectrum Codex is a self-description vocabulary and is not validated, not diagnostic, and not a severity scale.

Universal Modifiers

These can be applied to any category.

@ Context-dependent.

This changes depending on the situation.

() Cross-over range.

Shows your range. M++(---) means you usually mask heavily but sometimes don't at all.

> Trending toward.

Moving in a direction. M+++>- means heavy masker, working on unmasking.

? Uncertain.

Still figuring this one out.

! Refuse to disclose.

This dimension is not your business.

Categories

Sensory

Ss Sensory: Sound #

How you relate to auditory input. This is about sensitivity and reactivity, not preference.

* Sensory-seeking
+++
Hypersensitive
I have left buildings because of sounds other people cannot hear. The fluorescent lights have a pitch. The refrigerator has opinions. I own stock in headphone companies.
++
Very sensitive
Background noise in restaurants makes conversation nearly impossible. I need to recover after loud environments. I always know where the exits are - acoustically.
+
Somewhat sensitive
Certain sounds bother me more than seems reasonable. I notice things others filter out. Open-plan offices are not my friend.
0
Neutral
Sound is sound. I notice some things, miss others. This is not a defining dimension for me.
-
Somewhat unbothered
I can tune out most noise without much effort. Loud environments are fine. I occasionally miss someone calling my name.
--
Very unbothered
I can sleep through almost anything. People wonder how I concentrate with all this noise. What noise?
---
Hyposensitive
I genuinely do not register most ambient sound. Fire alarms have surprised me. I am probably wearing headphones right now and forgot about it.

Sl Sensory: Light #

How you relate to visual input - brightness, flicker, patterns, visual clutter.

* Sensory-seeking
+++
Hypersensitive
Sunglasses indoors is not an affectation. Fluorescent lighting is a hostage situation. I can see the 60Hz flicker and no one believes me.
++
Very sensitive
Bright environments drain me fast. I have strong opinions about screen brightness settings. Overhead lighting is rarely acceptable.
+
Somewhat sensitive
I prefer dim environments and notice flicker that others don't. Big box stores are a lot.
0
Neutral
Light is light. Not a major factor in my daily experience.
-
Somewhat unbothered
Most lighting conditions are fine. I don't think much about it.
--
Very unbothered
I can work under any lighting without noticing. People close the blinds and I wonder why.
---
Hyposensitive
I sometimes forget to turn on lights when it gets dark. People visit my office and ask how I can see.

St Sensory: Touch #

How you relate to physical contact - being touched by people, pressure, proximity. Not about fabric or surfaces; that is texture.

* Sensory-seeking
+++
Hypersensitive
Unexpected touch from another person can ruin an hour. A hand on my shoulder from behind is a system crash. I flinch before I decide to flinch.
++
Very sensitive
Light touch is worse than firm pressure. Hugs require advance notice. I have a small list of people who are allowed to touch me without warning.
+
Somewhat sensitive
I have preferences about physical contact that seem strong to others. Handshakes are fine; casual arm-touching in conversation is not.
0
Neutral
Physical contact is not a significant part of my experience. Some touch is welcome, some isn't, but it doesn't drive decisions.
-
Somewhat unbothered
Most physical contact is fine. I don't think about it much. Hugs are neither sought nor avoided.
--
Very unbothered
I barely register casual touch. People bump into me on the bus and I forget about it instantly.
---
Hyposensitive
I sometimes don't notice someone tapping my shoulder, or that the shower is scalding. My body's contact notifications are on silent.

Sx Sensory: Texture #

How you relate to surface textures and materials - clothing, fabrics, surfaces against your skin. Not about people touching you; that is touch.

* Sensory-seeking
+++
Hypersensitive
I have thrown away otherwise fine clothing because of a seam. Tags are an act of aggression. I own multiples of the one acceptable shirt.
++
Very sensitive
Fabric matters enormously. I have a narrow range of acceptable textures. I can tell the thread count by touching a pillowcase. This is not a party trick.
+
Somewhat sensitive
Some textures bother me. I notice the material of a chair before I sit in it. I have returned clothing after discovering the fabric was wrong.
0
Neutral
Texture is not a significant part of my experience. Some things feel nicer than others, but it doesn't drive decisions.
-
Somewhat unbothered
Most textures are fine. I don't think about fabric choices much. Clothing is chosen by other criteria.
--
Very unbothered
I barely notice textures. I'd wear sandpaper if it was the right color.
---
Hyposensitive
I genuinely cannot tell the difference between cotton and polyester by feel. I sometimes don't notice I'm still wearing yesterday's socks. Fabric is fabric.

Sf Sensory: Food/Taste #

How you relate to food - texture, taste, variety, the whole complicated business of eating.

* Sensory-seeking
+++
Very restricted
I have a short list of safe foods and it has not changed in years. Trying new food is not an adventure, it is a negotiation with my nervous system. Yes, I know what I'm missing. No, I cannot just try it.
++
Quite restricted
Texture is usually the issue. I can eat a wider range than some, but mixed textures are a problem and certain foods are simply not going to happen. I order the same thing at restaurants.
+
Somewhat selective
I'm pickier than average and have some definite no-go foods, but I can navigate most menus. I probably won't eat your home cooking without warning, though.
0
Neutral
Food is not a major axis for me. I eat a reasonably varied diet without much drama.
-
Fairly flexible
I'll try most things. Food is fuel and I don't think about it much. I might forget to eat entirely.
--
Very flexible
I will eat nearly anything put in front of me. I genuinely don't understand food aversions - which I recognize is its own kind of atypical.
---
Indifferent
Food is a chore. I would take a nutritionally complete pill over cooking any day. I have eaten the same lunch for months without noticing.

So Sensory: Smell #

How you relate to olfactory input. Perfume counters: gateway or gauntlet?

* Sensory-seeking
+++
Hypersensitive
I can identify people by their laundry detergent. Perfume sections in stores are a biohazard. I have asked strangers to move because of their cologne.
++
Very sensitive
Strong smells can trigger headaches or nausea. I notice when someone three rooms away is microwaving fish. Scented candles are not a gift, they are a declaration of war.
+
Somewhat sensitive
I notice smells others miss and some bother me disproportionately. I have opinions about cleaning products.
0
Neutral
Smell is not a significant dimension for me. Some things smell nice, some don't.
-
Somewhat unbothered
Most smells don't register much. People point out smells and I shrug.
--
Very unbothered
I regularly fail to notice strong odors. The milk could be off and I wouldn't know until I tasted it.
---
Hyposensitive
My sense of smell is essentially decorative. I have been near genuinely bad smells and not noticed until someone else reacted.

Pn Interoception #

Your ability to sense internal body states - hunger, thirst, pain, temperature, needing the bathroom. The sense nobody talks about.

+++
High awareness
I notice subtle internal signals clearly. I know when I'm getting hungry before it's urgent. I can tell the difference between anxiety and excitement in my body.
++
Good awareness
I generally know what my body needs. Some signals are clearer than others but I'm tuned in.
+
Moderate awareness
Some body signals I catch, some I miss. I might not notice I'm thirsty until I'm very thirsty.
0
Variable
My interoceptive awareness comes and goes. Sometimes I'm attuned to my body, sometimes I forget I have one.
-
Reduced awareness
I regularly miss internal signals. "When did you last eat?" is a question I struggle to answer. Pain sometimes registers late.
--
Poor awareness
I frequently don't notice hunger, thirst, or temperature until it's extreme. I have gone an entire day without eating and only noticed when I got dizzy.
---
Very poor awareness
My body sends emails and I don't check that inbox. I've been injured and not noticed. I rely on schedules and timers for basic needs because my body won't tell me.

Sp Sensory Seeking #

How much you actively pursue sensory experiences - not sensitivity (that's the per-sense categories), but the drive to seek sensation. Spinning in chairs, staring at moving water, smelling every candle in the store.

+++
Intense seeker
I chase sensory experiences constantly. Spinning, swinging, running my hands over textures, staring at patterns in water. My body wants more input, always. The world is a sensory buffet and I am not leaving until I have tried everything.
++
Active seeker
I seek out sensory experiences regularly and noticeably. I have favorite textures I touch compulsively, sounds I play on repeat, visual patterns I could watch for hours. It is a need, not just a preference.
+
Somewhat seeking
I have some sensory-seeking behavior - a fidget I always carry, a song I loop, a texture I gravitate to. More than a habit, less than a compulsion.
0
Neutral
I am neither strongly seeking nor avoiding sensation. Some experiences are pleasant, some are unpleasant, but I do not organize my day around either.
-
Somewhat avoidant
I tend to reduce sensory input rather than seek it. Quiet rooms, dim lights, minimal stimulation. Calm is the goal.
--
Actively avoidant
I structure my environment to minimize sensation. Noise-canceling headphones, blackout curtains, predictable textures. Less input is better.
---
Strongly avoidant
I avoid sensory input wherever possible. The ideal environment is quiet, dim, still, and predictable. Unexpected sensation is a threat, not an adventure.

Rate your own sensory dimensions →

Social

M Masking #

How much energy goes into performing neurotypicality. Not whether you can pass - whether you do, and at what cost.

$ Professional masker
+++
Heavy masker
I have a full-time social persona that most people have never seen behind. The mask is good - so good that when I mention being autistic, people don't believe me. This is not the compliment they think it is.
++
Frequent masker
I mask in most social situations. I have a script for small talk, a practiced laugh, a calibrated amount of eye contact. Few people get the unmasked version.
+
Situational masker
I mask when I need to - work, new people, high-stakes situations. With trusted people, I let it drop. The switching itself is tiring.
0
Mixed
Some masking, some not. It depends on the day and the context. I'm still figuring out which parts are mask and which are me.
-
Mostly unmasked
I've dropped most of the mask, by choice or by burnout. People get the real version most of the time. Some of them wish they didn't.
--
Rarely masks
I don't have much of a mask left. What you see is what you get. This is partly liberation and partly that I never had the energy for it.
---
Does not mask
I have never successfully masked, or I stopped entirely a long time ago. My autism is visible and I have made my peace with that.

SE Social Energy #

The size of your social battery and how fast it drains. Not whether you like people - whether being around them costs energy.

+++
Large battery
I can handle extended social situations without significant drain. I might even enjoy a party. (I know, I'm surprised too.)
++
Good capacity
I can manage a full social day with some recovery time after. Work meetings are fine; work meetings plus dinner is pushing it.
+
Moderate capacity
A few hours of socializing and I need to recharge. I budget social energy like a finite resource, because it is.
0
Average
Some social situations drain me, others don't. It depends heavily on the people and context.
-
Limited capacity
Social interaction is expensive. I need significant alone time to recover from even enjoyable social events. My calendar has recovery blocks.
--
Small battery
A single social event can use up my reserves for days. I have cancelled plans not because I didn't want to go, but because I couldn't afford to.
---
Very small battery
Most social interaction costs more than I have. A trip to the grocery store counts as socializing. I am not antisocial - I am energy-bankrupt.

Cn Connection / Emotional Intimacy #

How you connect emotionally with the people closest to you. Not whether you care - whether your caring is legible to others, and whether their emotional states are legible to you.

+++
Deeply connected
I feel and express emotional closeness easily. When someone I love is hurting, I feel it in my body and know what to do about it. I have been called "too much" in the other direction.
++
Generally connected
Emotional intimacy comes fairly naturally with people I trust. I can read when close ones are struggling and respond in ways they recognize as comfort.
+
Somewhat connected
I connect, but it takes effort to make my caring visible. I sometimes realize after the fact that someone needed comfort and I missed the window.
0
Mixed
With some people I connect deeply; with others I feel like I am behind glass. It depends on the person, the context, and how much energy I have.
-
Somewhat disconnected
I care about people but struggle to express it in ways they recognize. I've been told I seem cold by people I would do anything for.
--
Quite disconnected
Emotional intimacy is confusing and effortful. I love people but the connection feels like it's traveling through a bad translator. Hugging someone who is crying: I know I should, but the script after that is blank.
---
Very disconnected
Emotional connection with others is largely illegible to me in both directions. I don't always know when someone is upset, and when I do, I don't know what response they need. This is not the same as not caring.

Pr Peer Reciprocity #

Back-and-forth social exchange - the ping-pong of interaction. Not about wanting friends (you might want them desperately), but about the mechanics of reciprocal exchange.

+++
Natural reciprocator
The turn-taking of conversation and friendship comes easily. I match energy, volley topics back and forth, and know when it is my turn. This was never the hard part.
++
Generally reciprocal
I can do the back-and-forth fairly well, especially with people I know. I sometimes catch myself monologuing and course-correct.
+
Somewhat reciprocal
I manage the turn-taking, but it takes conscious effort. I've learned the rules of conversational ping-pong intellectually. The timing is slightly off.
0
Mixed
With some people the rhythm works; with others I'm always half a beat off. My reciprocity depends heavily on topic and comfort level.
-
Somewhat one-sided
I tend toward monologue or silence - the middle ground is hard to find. I either info-dump or wait too long and the moment passes. Friendships have faded because I didn't know it was my turn to reach out.
--
Quite one-sided
Reciprocal interaction is genuinely difficult. I want friends but the mechanics of maintaining friendship - the checking in, the matching energy, the unspoken scheduling - feel like a protocol I don't have documentation for.
---
Parallel over reciprocal
I relate to people best through parallel activity, not exchange. Sitting in the same room doing our own things is my love language. The back-and-forth model of friendship mostly does not work for me.

Sc Social Context Reading #

Knowing what's expected in different social situations - the unwritten rulebook nobody gave you. Not whether you mask (that's M), but whether you even know what the 'right' behavior is before deciding whether to perform it.

+++
Reads rooms naturally
I walk into a situation and immediately know the vibe, the norms, what is expected. I may choose not to comply, but I know the rules. This has always been intuitive.
++
Generally reads context
I pick up on most social contexts without much effort. Formal vs casual, when to be serious vs funny - I usually get it right.
+
Reads context with effort
I can figure out social expectations if I pay attention, but it's not automatic. I've built a mental database of situation types and their rules.
0
Mixed
Some contexts I read fine; others blindside me. Work situations: usually fine. Parties: why is everyone acting differently than they do in meetings?
-
Often misreads context
I regularly misjudge what behavior is expected. I've been too formal in casual settings, too casual in formal ones, and told jokes at the wrong moments. I usually find out afterward.
--
Rarely reads context
Social situations feel like arriving at a play where everyone else has a script. I don't know what this situation requires until someone tells me or I get it wrong. I've learned to watch others first and mirror.
---
Context-blind
Social contexts are essentially opaque to me. I treat every situation the same because I cannot reliably tell the difference. People say I'm inappropriate but won't explain what the right behavior was.

Rate your own social dimensions →

Communication

Cv Communication: Verbal #

Your facility with spoken language. Not intelligence - verbal output. Many brilliant people struggle to speak and many fluent speakers struggle to think.

+++
Highly verbal
I talk. A lot. Once I start on a topic I know, the challenge is stopping. I have been told I am "articulate" which is code for "we didn't expect you to be."
++
Verbally fluent
Speaking comes fairly naturally to me, especially about topics I care about. I can handle meetings and presentations without too much strain.
+
Capable but effortful
I can speak fine, but it takes more conscious effort than people realize. I often rehearse conversations beforehand. Spontaneous speech is harder.
0
Context-dependent
Some situations I'm fluent, others I struggle. The gap between my best and worst verbal days is wider than most people's.
-
Limited verbal
Speaking is consistently effortful. I lose words, get stuck, say things out of order. Written communication is noticeably better.
--
Mostly non-speaking
I speak when I have to, but it's unreliable. Under stress, speech goes first. I rely heavily on text, AAC, or other alternatives.
---
Non-speaking / selective
Speech is not my primary communication method and may not be available at all. This says nothing about what I think or understand.

Ct Communication: Text #

How much you prefer text-based communication over voice. Not about typing speed - about where you think most clearly.

+++
Strongly prefers text
If you call me, I will stare at the phone until it stops ringing and then text you "what's up?" Text is where I am most myself. Do not leave me a voicemail.
++
Prefers text
Text over calls, always. I compose better in writing. I will send a detailed message rather than have a five-minute phone call.
+
Slight text preference
I'd rather text for most things, but I can handle calls when needed. I just won't enjoy it.
0
No preference
Either mode works. I switch between them without strong feelings.
-
Slight voice preference
I'd rather just talk. Typing out long messages feels like overhead when I could say it in thirty seconds.
--
Prefers voice
I think best out loud and prefer real-time conversation. Text feels slow and ambiguous.
---
Strongly prefers voice/presence
Text communication is frustrating and I avoid it. I need tone, pacing, the full human signal. Emoji do not compensate.

Cl Communication: Literal #

How literally you process language. Idioms, sarcasm, subtext, "reading between the lines" - how much of that lands automatically?

+++
Very literal
I process language at face value first, always. Sarcasm requires a beat to decode. "We should get together sometime" - ok, when? I have learned to pause before responding to check for subtext. I do not always find it.
++
Quite literal
I miss implied meanings regularly. Idioms sometimes catch me off guard even when I know them. I prefer people say what they mean.
+
Somewhat literal
I can read subtext but it takes effort. I occasionally take things literally that weren't meant that way. I prefer direct communication.
0
Mixed
Sometimes I catch subtext, sometimes I miss it. Depends on context, topic, and how tired I am.
-
Reads subtext fairly well
I pick up on most implied meanings. I still prefer directness, but I can navigate indirect communication.
--
Good at subtext
I read between the lines naturally. Sarcasm, irony, implication - these land without much delay.
---
Fluent in subtext
I process implied meaning as easily as literal meaning. My autism shows up in other ways, not this one.

Cb Communication: Body Language #

How you use and read body language, gestures, eye contact, and facial expressions - the non-word parts of communication. Distinct from literal processing (Cl): you can be great at detecting sarcasm but terrible at eye contact.

+++
Fluent nonverbally
I gesture naturally, make comfortable eye contact, and read body language without thinking about it. People understand me before I finish the sentence.
++
Generally fluent
Body language mostly works for me, both sending and receiving. I use gestures, make reasonable eye contact, and pick up on posture shifts.
+
Somewhat fluent
I manage nonverbal communication but it's partly scripted. I've learned to nod at the right times and maintain eye contact for the right duration. The formula usually works.
0
Mixed
Some nonverbal channels work, others don't. I might gesture fine but struggle with eye contact, or read facial expressions but broadcast the wrong ones.
-
Somewhat limited
Nonverbal communication is unreliable for me. My face doesn't always match my feelings. Eye contact is either too much or too little. I've been told my body language is 'hard to read.'
--
Quite limited
I don't gesture much, struggle with eye contact, and regularly miss body language cues from others. People think I'm uninterested when I'm actually fascinated. My face is apparently running its own program.
---
Nonverbal channels mostly closed
Body language is essentially a foreign language I never acquired. I don't point, I don't gesture, eye contact feels like staring into the sun, and my facial expressions are either absent or on a delay. People rely on my words because my body isn't sending the memo.

Rate your own communication dimensions →

Neurotype

SI Special Interests #

The intensity and pattern of your deep interests. Not hobbies - the thing that organizes your inner life.

@ Cycling interests $ Interest became career
+++
All-consuming
I have been deeply invested in the same topic for years. I can talk about it for hours without noticing. I have forgotten to eat because of it. It is not a hobby, it is a load-bearing wall of my identity.
++
Very intense
My interests are deep and focused. I research obsessively, acquire everything related to them, and think about them when I should be thinking about other things.
+
Noticeable intensity
I have interests that are clearly stronger than "hobbies." I know more about certain topics than is socially expected and sometimes have to stop myself from monologuing.
0
Moderate
I have interests I care about, but they don't dominate my life. The line between "interest" and "special interest" is blurry for me.
-
Mild
I have things I like, but nothing that feels all-consuming. I sometimes wonder if I have special interests at all, or if they're just... interests.
--
Diffuse
I'm a generalist. I dabble in many things but rarely go deep. My autism shows up elsewhere.
---
Not a feature
Intense focused interests are not part of my autistic experience. I relate to other dimensions more.

R Routine/Structure #

How much you depend on predictability and structure. Not preference - need.

+++
Needs strong routine
If my morning routine is disrupted, the rest of the day is compromised. I eat the same breakfast every day and it is not boring, it is correct. Surprises are not delightful, they are expensive.
++
Needs routine
I function best with predictable structure. Changes to plans cause real distress, not just annoyance. I plan my weeks in detail.
+
Prefers routine
I like knowing what's coming. Unexpected changes are manageable but cost energy. I have routines I didn't realize were routines until someone disrupted them.
0
Moderate
I like some structure and some flexibility. Not a defining dimension.
-
Fairly flexible
I can adapt to changes without too much difficulty. I have some routines but I'm not dependent on them.
--
Very flexible
I actually get bored with too much routine. I can pivot plans easily. This surprises people when they learn I'm autistic.
---
Thrives on variety
Structure feels constraining. I work best with some chaos. Yes, I'm autistic. No, I don't need a schedule. The spectrum is wide.

EF Executive Function #

Your capacity for planning, initiating tasks, switching contexts, and managing time. The invisible infrastructure of getting things done.

+++
Strong EF
I am organized, self-directed, and good at planning. I can switch between tasks without losing my place. People ask me how I get so much done. (The secret is usually that it's a special interest.)
++
Good EF
I generally manage tasks and time well, with some systems in place to help. I can plan ahead and follow through most of the time.
+
Adequate EF
I manage, but it takes more scaffolding than people realize. Lists, reminders, routines - the infrastructure is there because without it, things fall apart.
0
Uneven EF
Some executive functions work fine, others don't. I can plan but not start. I can start but not finish. The inconsistency is the consistent part.
-
Challenged EF
Task initiation is a real problem. I know what I need to do. I can see it. I cannot make myself start. Time blindness is a frequent companion.
--
Significant EF challenges
Without external structure, very little gets done. Context-switching costs me half an hour minimum. I have systems for my systems and they still fail.
---
Severe EF challenges
Executive function is a daily barrier. Basic tasks like showering, eating on time, or responding to messages can require enormous effort. This is not laziness. This is a wiring difference.

Sm Stimming #

Self-stimulatory behavior - the movements, sounds, or sensory inputs you use to regulate. Everyone stims. This is about how much it's part of your daily life.

* Suppresses stims
+++
Frequent and visible
I stim openly and often. Hand-flapping, rocking, spinning, vocal stims - these are how I regulate and I am not interested in hiding them anymore.
++
Regular
I stim throughout the day. Some stims are visible, some are subtle. I've learned which ones are "socially acceptable" and which ones get looks.
+
Moderate
I stim noticeably but not constantly. Pen clicking, leg bouncing, fidget toys. Things that pass as "fidgeting" in neurotypical spaces.
0
Some
I stim sometimes, usually without thinking about it. It's part of my life but not a defining feature.
-
Subtle
My stims are small and mostly internal - tongue pressing, toe curling, mental patterns. You wouldn't notice unless I told you.
--
Rare
I don't stim much. Occasionally under stress. This is not necessarily healthy - it might mean I've suppressed them so long I've lost track.
---
Not a feature
Stimming is not a significant part of my experience. My regulatory mechanisms look different.

B Burnout/Energy #

Your overall energy capacity and resilience to autistic burnout - the deep, pervasive exhaustion that goes beyond being tired.

+++
High capacity
I have good energy reserves and recover quickly from demanding situations. Burnout is something I've read about but not experienced severely. (Yet. I know enough to add "yet.")
++
Good capacity
I manage my energy well enough to avoid major burnout most of the time. I know my limits and respect them, usually.
+
Adequate
I can maintain a normal-looking life but there's not much margin. A bad week can set me back for a while.
0
Variable
My energy capacity fluctuates a lot. Some periods I'm fine, others I'm running on fumes. The pattern is hard to predict.
-
Limited
I burn out faster than my life demands. I've had to reduce commitments. The gap between what I want to do and what I can do is constant.
--
Easily depleted
My capacity is significantly below what's expected. I've experienced major burnout episodes. Recovery takes months, not days.
---
Very low capacity
I am in or recovering from severe burnout. Basic functioning takes everything I have. This is not a character flaw, it's a nervous system that has been running beyond its capacity for too long.

Pt Pattern / Detail Focus #

Whether you naturally zoom into details or zoom out to the big picture. The parts-vs-whole dimension. You notice the one tile that's different before you notice the floor.

+++
Extreme detail focus
I see the parts before the whole, always. I spot the typo on the billboard from the highway. I notice the one pixel that is off. I can describe every tree but sometimes miss the forest entirely.
++
Strong detail focus
Details jump out at me before patterns do. I am the person who spots continuity errors in movies and the misaligned tile in the bathroom. Summarizing is harder than analyzing.
+
Somewhat detail-focused
I tend to notice details others miss, but I can pull back to the big picture with effort. I proofread well. I sometimes get lost in the weeds.
0
Balanced
I move between detail and big-picture depending on the task. Neither mode dominates. I can zoom in or out as needed.
-
Somewhat big-picture
I tend to see the overall pattern first and drill into details when needed. I am better at strategy than proofreading.
--
Strong big-picture
I see systems and patterns first, details second. I can miss obvious errors because I am looking at the shape of the thing, not the seams.
---
Extreme big-picture
Details are noise; patterns are signal. I synthesize, I generalize, I see connections. The specific numbers on the spreadsheet are someone else's problem.

Sy Systematizing / Collecting #

The drive to organize, catalog, memorize, and build systems of knowledge. Not the same as special interests (SI is about intensity of focus); this is about the type of engagement - the taxonomizing, list-making, fact-collecting brain.

+++
Compulsive systematizer
I catalog everything. I have spreadsheets for things that do not require spreadsheets. I memorize facts the way other people breathe. I once organized my spice rack by Scoville units. My brain is a filing cabinet that files itself.
++
Strong systematizer
I collect, categorize, and organize compulsively. I know the technical specifications of things I do not own. I make lists of my lists. My notes app is an encyclopedia.
+
Somewhat systematic
I like to organize knowledge and notice when things are not categorized correctly. I have memorized more facts than seems normal. I enjoy a well-structured database.
0
Moderate
I can be systematic when the task calls for it, but I do not seek it out. Some things I catalog, others I let exist in chaos.
-
Mildly unsystematic
I resist over-organizing. Too much structure feels constraining. I know things but do not feel compelled to catalog them.
--
Resistant to systems
I actively dislike rigid categorization. The world is messy and I am fine with that. Spreadsheets make me feel claustrophobic.
---
Anti-systematic
Organizing, listing, and cataloging feels deeply unnatural and exhausting. My brain works in associations, not categories. File systems are suggestions.

Ob Object Interaction Patterns #

How you interact with physical objects - repetitive manipulation, fascination with mechanisms, preference for parts over wholes. The person who has to spin every fidget, open every latch, take apart every pen.

+++
Strong object patterns
I take things apart to understand them. I am fascinated by mechanisms, moving parts, the specific way a hinge works. I have disassembled things I could not reassemble. Objects are more interesting in pieces.
++
Noticeable object patterns
I interact with objects in repetitive or unusual ways and people notice. I flip, spin, click, and fidget with everything in reach. I am drawn to the parts of things - the clasp, the gear, the button.
+
Some object patterns
I have some repetitive interactions with objects that go beyond normal fidgeting. I might click a pen for twenty minutes without noticing, or be strangely fascinated by how a lock mechanism works.
0
Neutral
I use objects in typical ways. I might fidget occasionally but it is not a defining behavior. Objects are tools, not puzzles.
-
Minimal
I do not interact with objects much beyond their intended purpose. Fidgets do nothing for me. I use the pen to write, not to click.
--
Low engagement
I have little interest in objects beyond utility. I do not notice mechanisms or feel drawn to manipulate things. Physical objects are background.
---
Not a dimension
Object interaction patterns are simply not part of my experience. I do not take things apart, I do not fidget with mechanisms, I do not notice parts over wholes.

Sn Support Needs #

How much external support, accommodation, or help you need to navigate daily life. Not a judgment of capability - a practical description of what it actually takes. This is not "functioning." This is the gap between what the world demands and what your nervous system can deliver unaided.

+++
Mostly independent
I navigate daily life without much external support. I manage my own schedule, logistics, and living situation. The occasional rough patch, but the infrastructure holds. People sometimes forget I'm autistic, which means they also forget I might need help.
++
Independent with accommodations
I live independently, but with specific accommodations that are non-negotiable. Noise-cancelling headphones, a structured routine, the right living environment. Remove the accommodations and the independence unravels faster than people expect.
+
Some support needed
I manage most things but certain areas consistently require help - maybe appointments, phone calls, navigating bureaucracy, remembering to eat. I have workarounds for my workarounds.
0
Moderate support
I need regular support in several areas of daily life. Not constant, but more than "a bit of help here and there." The gap between what I can do on a good day and what I can sustain is the whole story.
-
Significant support
Daily life requires substantial help. I can do some things independently, but I rely on people or services for many basics. The world is not set up for how I operate and the accommodations are not optional extras.
--
High support needs
I need extensive daily support across multiple areas - personal care, communication, navigating environments, managing tasks. Independence exists in specific domains, not as a general state.
---
Very high support needs
I require comprehensive, ongoing support in most areas of daily life. This is not a limitation of will or intelligence. It is what my nervous system requires, and pretending otherwise helps no one.

AD ADHD Co-occurrence #

The autism-ADHD overlap is so common it nearly deserves its own category. If you're here, you probably know.

+++
Strong ADHD traits
The AuDHD experience in full. My brain wants routine AND novelty, structure AND chaos, hyperfocus AND distraction - simultaneously. It's a lot.
++
Significant ADHD traits
ADHD is clearly part of my picture. Impulsivity and inattention coexist with autistic rigidity in ways that confuse everyone, including me.
+
Some ADHD traits
There's overlap. I see myself in ADHD descriptions sometimes but it's not the dominant picture.
0
Uncertain
I honestly can't tell where autism ends and ADHD might begin. The Venn diagram is a circle.
-
Minimal ADHD traits
I don't strongly identify with ADHD descriptions. My attention issues look more autistic than ADHD.
--
Few ADHD traits
ADHD doesn't resonate with my experience. I'm pretty solidly in the autism-only camp.
---
No ADHD traits
The ADHD descriptions do not apply to me. My neurotype is autism without the ADHD seasoning.

PD Demand Avoidance (PDA) #

Pathological Demand Avoidance — or Persistent Drive for Autonomy, depending who you ask. An autism profile where everyday demands trigger a threat response, even demands you placed on yourself. It's not laziness or defiance. Your nervous system treats 'you should' the same way most people's treats 'you're in danger.'

+++
Strong PDA profile
Demands of any kind — external, internal, even fun plans I made myself — can trigger intense avoidance. My brain treats 'have to' as a threat. I use every strategy I have: distraction, negotiation, shutdown, role-play, humor. This is not a choice. It is my nervous system's full-time job.
++
Significant demand avoidance
Demand avoidance is a major part of my daily experience. Routine tasks can feel impossible not because I can't do them but because they've become demands. I need autonomy and collaboration, not instructions. Traditional autism supports like rigid structure can make things worse, not better.
+
Some demand avoidance
I recognize the PDA pattern in myself sometimes. Certain demands trigger disproportionate resistance — especially imposed routines or expectations I didn't choose. I can usually push through, but it costs more than people realize.
0
Uncertain / exploring
I'm not sure if what I experience is PDA or general autistic demand resistance or burnout or executive dysfunction or all of the above. The boundaries between these things are not as clean as the labels suggest.
-
Mild demand sensitivity
I can be demand-avoidant under stress, but it's not a pervasive pattern. I generally manage expectations and obligations without my nervous system staging a full revolt.
--
Minimal demand avoidance
Demand avoidance isn't a significant part of my experience. I might resist things I don't want to do — who doesn't — but it's not the visceral, autonomic shutdown that PDA describes.
---
Not demand avoidant
PDA doesn't resonate with me. I'm generally comfortable with structure, expectations, and routine demands. If anything, I prefer being told what to do — it reduces uncertainty.

RS Rejection Sensitivity (RSD) #

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria — the experience of extreme emotional pain from real or perceived rejection, criticism, or failure. Not officially in the DSM, but ask any room of autistic or ADHD adults and watch everyone nod. The pain is real, it's neurological, and it's not something you can just 'get over.'

+++
Intense RSD
Perceived rejection hits like a physical blow. A friend's tone shift, an unanswered message, a piece of critical feedback — any of these can send me into a spiral of shame and pain that is wildly disproportionate to the actual event. I know this intellectually. It does not help in the moment.
++
Strong rejection sensitivity
Rejection sensitivity significantly shapes my behavior. I may avoid putting myself out there, over-apologize, people-please compulsively, or withdraw preemptively to avoid the pain of possible rejection. It's exhausting to care this much about what everyone thinks.
+
Moderate rejection sensitivity
I'm more sensitive to rejection than average. Criticism stings longer than it should, and I sometimes read rejection into neutral situations. I've developed coping strategies, but the underlying sensitivity is always there.
0
Variable / uncertain
Some days rejection rolls off me; other days a slightly off-tone email ruins my week. I can't tell if this is RSD, anxiety, trauma response, or just being human. Probably some combination.
-
Mild sensitivity
Rejection is unpleasant but manageable. I don't enjoy criticism — nobody does — but it doesn't typically trigger an intense emotional or physical pain response.
--
Low rejection sensitivity
I'm fairly resilient to criticism and rejection. I can usually separate feedback about my work from feelings about my worth. This isn't something I struggle with significantly.
---
Rejection-resilient
Rejection doesn't particularly affect me. I can take criticism, handle social uncertainty, and move on without significant emotional fallout. This may be its own kind of neurodivergent trait, honestly.

Rate your own neurotype dimensions →

Identity & Context

Dx Diagnosis Path #

How you came to know you're autistic. Every path is valid. The destination is the same.

:f
Formally diagnosed
Received a clinical diagnosis through professional evaluation.
:s
Self-identified
Recognized your autism through research, community, or lived experience. Not everyone has access to (or needs) a formal assessment.
:p
Pursuing diagnosis
In the process of seeking formal evaluation. Waitlists are a special interest nobody asked for.
:l
Late diagnosed
Identified as autistic in adulthood. The "oh, that explains... everything" experience.
:c
Childhood diagnosis
Identified early. Grew up knowing, for better or worse.
:r
Re-diagnosed
Previously carried a different label - Asperger's, PDD-NOS, "gifted," "difficult," "just shy." The taxonomy changed; you didn't.
:?
Questioning
Still figuring it out. That's fine. Take your time.

SM Dysregulation Style #

What happens when your system is overwhelmed. Not a choice - a pattern.

:s
Shutdown
When overwhelmed, you go inward. Speech stops, movement slows, the world gets far away. You look calm from the outside. You are not calm.
:m
Meltdown
When overwhelmed, it comes out. Tears, anger, stimming intensifies, sensory overload peaks. It is not a tantrum. It is a nervous system that has exceeded capacity.
:b
Both
You experience shutdowns and meltdowns, sometimes in sequence. The fun combo platter.
:i
Internalizer
Your dysregulation is invisible to others. You look fine. You are managing a five-alarm fire internally.
:e
Externalizer
Your dysregulation is visible. People can tell when you're overwhelmed. This is sometimes easier (people accommodate) and sometimes harder (people judge).

CI Community Identity #

How you relate to autistic identity and community. Language and belonging are personal.

:a
Identity-first
I say "autistic person." Autism is part of who I am, not something I "have." Like being left-handed, not like having a cold.
:p
Person-first
I say "person with autism." I am more than my diagnosis. Both framings are valid.
:n
Not community-identified
I don't particularly identify with the autistic community. It's part of my neurology, not my social identity.
:v
Active advocate
I am actively involved in autistic advocacy, community building, or education.

Ag Age at Self-Recognition #

The age you first thought "wait... am I autistic?" Not diagnosis - recognition. Use a number.

:<10
Childhood
You knew early, even if the adults didn't.
:10s
Teens
Adolescence brought the realization, along with everything else.
:20s
Twenties
Young adulthood. Often after leaving home revealed patterns.
:30s
Thirties
A common window. Often triggered by burnout, parenthood, or a child's diagnosis.
:40s
Forties
Midlife reckoning. All those years suddenly reframe.
:50+
Fifty or later
A lifetime of wondering, finally answered.

Rate your own identity & context dimensions →

That is the whole vocabulary. You do not have to use all of it — pick the dimensions that actually say something about you and leave the rest out.

Build your code
↑ Back to top