DSM-5 vs Unofficial Checklist for Autism in Females | Checking the Checklist

The Samantha Craft Unofficial Checklist for Autism or Asperger's in Females (I've seen this re-named a lot online!) or Autistic Checklist is one of the first checklists I went over with you all on my channel. Something that has been of interest to me lately is how much these unofficial lists can hold up to the criteria recognized by diagnostic manuals. So, I thought it might be interesting to start here, with this checklist and comparing it to criteria in the DSM-5. If you all are interested, I may also compare to the ICD-11.
I share my reasoning with you through this process to help you see why I categorized things a certain way because many could very well fall into or outside the categorization of criteria depending on how you take it. You might have a different view or reasoning on it, and I'd love to hear how you see it!
References:
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.97...
Carpenter, L. (2013). DSM-5 Autism Spectrum Disorder Guidelines & Criteria Exemplars. depts.washington.edu/dbpeds/S...
Craft, S. (2019, June 10). Females and Autism / Aspergers: A checklist. The Art of Autism. the-art-of-autism.com/females...
Teledevara, S., Rajeswari, M., Kumar, R. S., & Udayakumar, N. (2019). Factors Associated with
Low Muscle Tone and Impact of Common Musculoskeletal Problems on Motor Development in Preterm Infants at One Year of Corrected Age. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC RESEARCH. doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2019/395...
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[@CleanYEAH]

I'm male, 36, undiagnosed, and this was like listening to someone read a well researched list of everything I hate about myself right to my face. Loved it.

[@ExistWithMeASMR]

Lol 🤣 yes. Omg yes

[@nate2838]

Well said!

[@solvisveen]

I think many autistic women who also have adhd, more often go under the radar because they don't come across as "autistic enough" or "adhd enough". And that the one diagnosis and/or symptoms are more prominent in different periods of life. If you add that many autistic women also mask, several symptoms may be so hidden that they are not diagnosed. I myself was not aware of how much I was masking, and would never have met the diagnostic criteria if I had not first realized that I am autistic. Because I genuinely believed that I was actually large parts of my masking before I learned about autism in women.

[@coralcashes]

I got diagnosed with ADHD at 37 after I asked to be evaluated for Autism. Now I'm 42, have been told twice by two different doctors that I'm ADHD and not Autistic. Going for 3rd opinion next week because I come across things like this where I tick ALLLLL of the boxes and I'm pretty sure the doctors are evaluating me the way they would evaluate a 4year old boy... which is inaccurate af because I've had 42 years to learn how to mask.

[@nnylasoR]

@@coralcashes- 42yo woman with ADHD (diagnosed at 39) here 🙋🏻‍♀️… and I just today received my *first* ~and hopefully only~ negative diagnosis for ASD level 1. I’m not exactly gonna say I “know better” than the experienced clinician that evaluated me… but I certainly know **myself** better. 😘

[@nate2838]

Not just periods of life, situations as well! Also stress levels too.

[@nate2838]

@@nnylasoR Its ok to say you know better. Not everyone who is doing a job knows it well. Too much is related what they were taught, combined with training, combined with personal experience. i've come across videos where an autist is talking about different things that FIALED an autism test, i believe it was neurodivergent doctor on youtube. Able to make eye contac has had people immediately failed. Understands sarcasm, likes being touched. Basically there are testers out there that only know the DSM criteria and nothing else, not even how something might manifest and not show EXACTLY as defined. Different type of doctor, I know, same point though. Had a motorcycle accident. Shoulder was messed up. Went to an urgent care, doctor did some movement tests and was confident in a torn rotator cuff diagnosis. Wanted to do xrays to confirm, but i just wanted to get out of there. After leaving, I looked up torn rotator cuff and the first thing that jumped out at me was that it was excruciating. Now, while I do have a high pain tolerance, I doubt my 2-3 would be considered excruciating by most. So after looking up other shoulder injuries, signs and symptoms it was EASY to diagnose a SEPARATED SHOULD which is where the clavicle separates from the scapula. Where a torn rotator cuff is when the tendons connecting to the humorous tear or sever completely.

[@Masonncf]

These are traits for males who went undiagnosed until late in their teens too, at least in my experience. I notice all of these and was able to get diagnosed easily but mainly due to the male study focus that most of the science has had. I’m also gay so I was feeling extra left out in my peer groups because I live in the south which manifested as anger because my efforts were all failing to make and keep friends until I found the other neurodivergents 😅

[@WilliamAlanPhoto]

I'm always confused when anyone calls out certain traits as female. I related to almost all of these!

[@bronwynlennox1240]

I'm hoping that we are moving away from these kinds of labels - they do get in the way, don't they?

[@sacrilegioussasquatch]

It's usually called atypical autism. It's more based on the fact that females have generally been excluded in psychological studies which harms everyone. It leaves a lot of people out who don't fitinto these categorries made my specific groups for specific groups. These are more usually things noticed in women which doesn't mean it doesn't exist in anyone else.

[@chicane7752]

So many of these things are so common with women who are STILL told they don’t have Autism.

[@artemisXsidecross]

Look how long it is taking for women in the work place to be recognized with their capability. It should not be a surprise that female representation in autism is low or undercounted.

[@Miss_Elaine_]

Can we maybe rename it? FSBCW... Female social blunders in a confusing world? It does seem very different than the male experience.

[@nate2838]

@@Miss_Elaine_ I'm male, and HIGHLY relate to almost everything she mentioned. At first, I wasn't giving my full attention so i thought this was a list of autistic traits put together by an autist, after autistic female was mentioned the 4th or 5th time I picked up on the fact that this list is supposed to be for female. It matches my experience so well I do not see a need to say specifically for female. Maybe I simply present more female when it comes to how I think and process.

[@nate2838]

@@Miss_Elaine_ As far as their being an FSBCW, that does make sense. Requires them to actually be working with females when doing research and making criteria.

[@JonBrase]

Chronic fatigue tracks with masking drain, sensory overload, anxiety exhaustion, depressive lethargy, dyspraxia, etc.

[@conniegariepy2334]

Wow. I'm 62 and this could explain why life has always been so difficult for me. I told my counselor I always feel like I'm at war. And its been exhausting. Now that I'm in my golden years I would like to have some peace of mind Ive never had before. Great info. Thank-you

[@chicane7752]

I was recently told that EDS is actually being used as a point of diagnosis for ASD.

[@NeighborhoodOfBlue]

"sharing in order to reach out, feels as if she's attempting to communicate "correctly" is exactly what I do, and have never understood how it could come across as weird, seeing as it's what I want others to do with me. A lot of these criteria feel so personally validating, while others feel completely the opposite- I've felt old my whole life, for example. I've never felt 'young'. I feel like Samantha Craft wrote a journal of her personal experiences and presumed all females feel that way, and while I appreciate her intentions it ends up feeling deeply invalidating at times and it makes me not like her very much.Thank you for filtering their list through DSM!

[@Catlily5]

Thanks for this comparison. I thought some of the stuff on her list was a little far fetched but it is good to know most of her list is still applicable.

[@artemisXsidecross]

Your labor and time to make this available is very much appreciated. I have no argument with your assessment. Both of them should be added to a fuller definition of autism. The scope of autism definition since World War ll is dynamic, and its definitive view is far from static.

[@mikealalee2889]

Hey so for alot of the stuff that didnt meet the criteria I just want to share my opinion on that. I have autism, am female. And everything on this list was and is me 100%. Its actually how I realized I had autism and I went and took some real exams with a phsycologist and turned out I am actually autistic. And so my opinion on the things that are common among women or all people, and that didnt quite meet any dsm criteria, I think it's more about how often these things happen and how they impact your live. So really easy way to explain is the one about questioning life purpose and being a better person. Yes everyone does that but with someone who has autism they think about this much more often than an average healthy minded person might. They might even do so to the point they make themselves stressed or anxious, they could induce obsessive behaviors as a reaction to the pressure of these thoughts, and even get to the point of complete shut down, because they simply cannot stop thinking about it. So it's not so much about the trait itself, but how often someone with autism is thinking of or doing it and how much distress or issue it brings to their life or emotional state. It's one thing to look up at the sky one night out of the week and think about being a better person, it's another thing to think about being a better person to the point you feel so guilty and crushed under the stress that you become sick or break down into tears on multiple days or occasions. Like if these thoughts cause severe stress or depression because of how often and overwhelmingly they happen then that's where they are associated with autism. We think about it until it kills us basically. It's that we do it to much. It's not healthy to ask why nonstop.

[@christinsongbird]

I do that. I’m obsess over the fact that I don’t do better as a mother or in serving God. I feel like a failure and 90% of my thoughts are how I can do better but feel powerless to do better. I do not function well in high stress situations. My boys are both on the spectrum and have adhd. It’s hard in my house and I do a lot of it on my own. I have bad habits to cope. I feel guilty needing anxiety meds and I smoke cigarettes. I’m sad I haven’t done more with my life but I literally can not. I’m so drained everyday.

[@LightYagamiSOS]

I keep hearing more and just going 'ah' 'ah' 'ah' Like i thought there was like an 85% chance that I was autistic, but now you're just describing my life.

[@catherinecummins2847]

I found this really helpful as a family member has challenged my self-perceptions based on Craft's list!

[@mllin2081]

this was REALLY helpfull. I'm 20 and I was recently diagnosed on the spectrum. I'm having a fucking hard time accepting the diagnosis, but not because I don't want to be autistic, it's just that I wasn't identifying myself with NOTHING on the DSM and it was making me super anxious. With this video i finally understood how de DSM applies to me. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

[@bronwynlennox1240]

This is a great cross reference of possible traits against the DSM-5, and I found it very helpful. Just a thought re: why CBT can be innaffective - perhaps because autistic people already beat themselves up internally over not 'getting it right' and can mask so heavily. What we need is to be able to 'be' ourselves unmasked, not learn how to mask better, which is what CBT can make you feel like. I'm not sure if I described this very well!

[@nate2838]

Well enough to get the gist of where you are going. I would also elaborate on the reason we don't get a lot of benefit. Its not about "we beat ourselves up" its about the results of. That being, we are constantly thinking things through from every angle we can possibly imagine, trying to find what we are missing so that we can do better in the future. Therefore, we've pretty much covered the main point of CBT. Understanding. Ok, so whats the second big part of CBT? Applying that understanding to future situations. Applying coping mechanisms to reduce the stress of situations giving us the mental space to function instead of being overwhelmed. The problem is, stressed or not, we don't know how to navigate and NT world, so no amount of copping mechanisms in the world can change the reason we struggle. CBT can help to a point, however that leaves an enormous gap if we don't have someone helping us bridge the naturally occurring gaps, most of which have to do with NTs "valuing emotion over intelligent processing" to put it politely. If I'm not giving 100% effort to being diplomatic about it, NT's are stupid, and would just about rather die thank think for split second. No amount of pills someone takes can fix that, no amount of coping mechanisms can fix that. You can apply everything they teach, and still find the world impossible because of how irrational and fragile ego most NT's are.

[@mikealalee2889]

If you can find the official site made by samantha herself, they clarify on there that after you get your score you should subtract 30% to account for human error. This is the calculated percent error made by you, the person self taking the test, because and if you are not a phsycologist. Certain small details and clarifies can really change the the results of the answers you give and what they mean in regards to the condition. This was calculated by asking the same thousands of people who partook in the creation of her list, to use the checklist and self diagnose. This test was then administered with a phsycologist. The two scores were compared and the percent error was created. So when you use the samantha crafts list, you need to subtract 30% from your final score, and that is more closely accurate to what your dsm score will be.

[@SweetiePieTweety]

This was very helpful Stephanie thanks for breaking it down you did a great job!

[@DanS8204]

Stephanie, this is quite helpful, and I really appreciate the time and effort you have put into this excellent analysis!

[@BipolarCourage]

I see those checklists as more personality traits like introversion and highly sensitive person. There is a difference between personality traits & meeting criteria for disorder ie for a diagnosis

[@newshinything]

I dont feel like the checklists aren't supposed to be personality traits... they aren't meant for diagnostic criteria but more things that those with autism have in common

[@BipolarCourage]

@@newshinything a lot of people have the complete opposite in any given area, eg might be hyposensitive to pain or hyposensitive to pain. So these checklists are pretty useless

[@newshinything]

@@BipolarCourage Thats basically what i was saying. The checklists have to do with personality traits and arent intended to diagose.

[@BipolarCourage]

@@newshinything I will agree with you. There are some personality traits that are more associated with autism but doesn't mean that autism eg black and white worldview

[@sarahcouture24]

I like how you compared the unofficial list to the dsm5 criteria. This helps to demonstrate the legitimacy of the unofficial list for professionals, I think.

[@milareed777]

Thanks for doing and sharing all your thorough research!

[@Geaners100]

Just talked to someone today about a possible diagnosis. This is very helpful and affirming.

[@mxjas95]

This video is amazingly helpful! Thank you!

[@ventrust7507]

Good presentation. It was helpful.

[@PamelaKingFriendlyLibrarian]

Excellent comparisons!

[@gregzeng]

Retired Senior social worker (Australia). Very interesting comparison, of one “highly intelligent” woman's perspective, against the psych "bible" (DSM). Later versions of DSM hopefully will become more accurate than the older standards. Adult women are neglected, compared to children, youngsters and young men. East Asian cultures are also very different. More like adult women, but with extreme levels of MASKING. Stimming is culturally replaced by robotic "frozen" masking. Later DSM research & findings might discover that over-socialization might damage and kill natural childhood curiosity, experimentation, openness, and innovation.

[@brightbeacon]

I’m am so very interested in how autism “presents” in cultures other than my own. For example if one’s ability to make eye contact isn’t culturally important, is eye-contact not part of their culture’s autism criteria (assuming the DSM-5 isn’t the diagnostic tool they use).

[@TheCloverAffiliate12]

8:44 - I know we're talking about the DSM-V here, so I recognize this is a bit off-topic, but couldn't that technically count towards a PDA profile? Really enjoying this side-by-side comparison so far, by the way-I thought of doing the same thing when I discovered the list a few days ago (in hopes of aiding my attempts of getting officially diagnosed) and was then pleasantly surprised to find this video!

[@gigahorse1475]

I read through the checklist and thought it was iffy! Interesting analysis.

[@carolinevivion9173]

How many from you experience anxiety-ridden, vivid, complex and/or pre cognitive dream the way I do too? Let's see if there is a lot of us.

[@coralcashes]

Thank you for doing this. I scored 78% based on the original test, and it's good to know how closely it matches the DSM. I'm taking these results, along with results of other checklists with me to my next doctor's appointment. My other 2 checklists, I matched 78% (again) and 86%. So at least this time I have some results of my own to present to the doctor

[@nate2838]

I highly recommend bookmarking great videos that communicate what you wish you had the ability to put into words as clearly and concisely. I know that I certainly would be walking in with reference videos and bullet points! When I read the criteria, it doesn't jump at me that I even might be autistic. When I watch videos describing what its like and how it impacts, its like being struck by lightning. I went from questioning my sanity to a significantly better understanding of why I am the way I am.

[@matthewtalbot6505]

A lot of these checklist items seem like they are the same thing just reworded to be for specific situations. You could probably cut this list in half by merging points and be just as useful.

[@artemisXsidecross]

It seems more like turf battle than a synthesis of probability

[@MargauxNeedler]

Who's to say what's normal socializing? I don't get it. People always have reasons they behave the way they do even if it's weird or messed up

[@artemisXsidecross]

Novelty may be a saving grace

[@MargauxNeedler]

Idk what I'm diagnosed with and my brain may be delayed but that's sometimes because I'm busy putting together details no one else notices or thinks of in order to make helpful conclusions and insights no one else has thought of.

[@jackilove523]

Thank 💚 You🙏🕯

[@Kristen_Roar7]

Closed fist is stimming? Like closed fist with thumb tucked under index finger ?

[@tdsollog]

I relate to nearly all of these.

[@liorsmith]

Have you shared your highlighted list anywhere online as images, please? I don't think my assessor would watch a whole video, but I think she'd be willing to look at your highlighted list

[@jackiemitchell8869]

I totally identify with number twelve especially as kid. I totally identify number one, number three, five, six, seven and nine in section one confusion.

[@mandarinadreux9572]

I think I'm on the spectrum but I'm super anxious to get evaluated by a professional because I've become so good at masking. I think it would shatter me. Also I feel like I have both, adhd and autism... So it would be even harder to get properly evaluated. Can anyone relate?

[@susanharris9734]

Thank you!

[@TheRawChuck]

My imaginary friend was a whale, a small off-white whale who could travel ditches as needed to keep up with me anywhere in the country.

[@user-yd5fr2wd1i]

It's disappointing you didn't reach out to the woman you're critiquing and open a discussion or ask for clarity. DSM is America. Outside that one country overrun by ABA and guided by corporate branding, is a wealth of much better research.

[@Jointknight]

This list is hilariously bad, and your analysis is good.

[@ExistWithMeASMR]

I don't like these autism in women videos because they keep describing everything about me and my thinking. Then they call it a disorder instead of a personality lol

[@thebogangamer1]

im autistic and you are trying to kill off our condition.