Aspie traits

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Do you consider someone who has borderline Aspergers or who has “traits” to be on the spectrum?

If they have the diagnoses, sure. If they seem to have many traits without an official diagnoses, sure.

I'm not sure if it would be "technically" "on the spectrum" if it's a couple traits or borderline. Borderline means "not quite meeting the expected standards"... I think a better distinction would be "near the spectrum".

I don't know exactly where the diagnostic delineation is though.

"Borderline Asperger's" sounds like something someone would label themselves. I doubt you'd receive that as a diagnosis, so if this person is self-diagnosing that they have "borderline" AS because they have some "traits" then no, they're not on the spectrum.

Unless it was Dr. Maxwell Smart

"Do you consider someone who has borderline Aspergers or who has “traits” to be on the spectrum?"

I note that the original poster is female.

I have been reading a lot about females and autism. I am female, and my son (now age 12) was diagnosed PDD-NOS at age 4.

While learning about the autism spectrum, I found so many traits that applied to me.

I am a social clod. I used to "stim" by walking around the school at recess/lunch (I knew the other kids snickered at me, but I had little interest in their activities, and (when I did have interest) - I was so socially inept, I couldn't seem to fit in.

I used to have trouble following verbal instructions. I took people literally. I had "meltdowns" (not violent ones, more "implosions" than "explosions", where I would panic from being overwhelmed and start to cry.

There is more too.

The thing is - most people would say that I am "not on the spectrum" because I don't present like a MALE with autism. I am learning more and more that girls and women are often overlooked with their diagnoses because they are able to disguise and mask to fit in with others.

So, in answer to your original question - the "traits" might well be indicative of autism - but the person is high functioning and can pass as an NT for the most part. From what I read - this is often the experience of women.

Pattern spotting is another AS ability - it seems more common among the Aspergers section of the spectrum from what I see here and in aspies I know personally.

we give these labels to things and whether someone is just over a line or just under it can be irrelevant, that they are happy and supported is more important imo

Took me two years of indepth research to finally figure out I was on the spectrum.
Those main traits - not everyone suffers from them. It's a spectrum, I have no anxieties, can pass as totally normal in the street. Put me in social situations though - and the NT's decide in quick order that I'm weird!! !!

I agree. If you saw me you would not think anything of me other than reserved. However put me in a group to talk socially and it becomes obvious.