nervous about 'failing' AS assessment in two weeks

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I am about to start getting through the process as well and all i can think about is the cognitive testing. I don't know how different the assessment is in other parts of the world compared to Germany, but i freak out just by thinking about the tests where i need to think visually. If we split the Aspies into the three different types of thinkers (as described by Grandin), i am definitely a pattern and verbal-thinker, but not a visual thinker at all. I always struggled with solving text based exercises where i had to visualize everything in order to solve the problem.
And according to a former "friend" those tests are heavy on the visual side here. Of course he could have been wrong, but i cannot stop myself from worrying. As i used to say: "This is not going to work.Failure is imminent!"

You cannot fail psychometric tests.

The idea is illogical--it's like worrying about failing when asked "what is your favorite color?" There is no wrong answer, including "I don't have one." These aren't "tests" they are observations.

"I observed Jupiter through a schmidt cassegrain reflector with a five inch primary the other day, and to my surprise, the planet failed."

I am fully aware of what you are trying to tell me, the fear itself is there, though. If there was a way for me to just calm my mind by using my ability to reason, trust me, i would do it. But when having these anxious moments, my mind seems to work without any logic mostly.

Nobody going to mention this is from 2013?

Not this exact fear, but sort of related. I have this fear that what I'm telling them is made up and I'm delusional. That I've looked at the symptoms of autism and am just saying them rather than what is actually case. Even though my parents have the same comments. Yeah... it's without logic, they even said they don't think I'm psychotic, but the fear that I'm making everything up is still there.

I am sorry that i have not reacted to your main question, but i can relate to this.
I had an appointment for an autism organisation (for the area of Franconia/Germany) and asked the worker about this exact fear. She just stated that there is no need to actually be afraid of it, since most of what i told her matched the criteria.
She added that i should just be myself and answer honestly.

I also have trouble with anxiety-bad enough that I get panic attacks. But one thing that has helped a lot is to recognize that these emotions aren't about anything in particular. The test or whatever is just an excuse--then you poor the formerly free-floating anxiety into it.

At least for me, the obfuscation of real concerns with irrational anxiety is part of the mechanism that allows the anxiety to run rampant. Staying aware of the difference between the anxiety and some real issue helps to manage the anxiety.

I might, for example, be anxious because I have to drive to an unfamiliar place and have not had the opportunity to do a run through of the route and alternates in Google Streetview. I do like to know where I am going before i get there, but that is not a reason to panic. The anxiety is something else and just knowing that helps. When it gets really bad, I rely on meds-a single lorazepam usually stops the thing cold.

Goo luck with managing it. It's a beast when it runs away with you.

Thank you very much! I really appreciate it.

Unfortunately i currently see ASD from one angle only when it comes to finding coping mechanisms regarding the anxiety, so what you wrote here actually helps me a lot.

It depends on your country & your state--as of last year, they were still using Asperger's for IEPs (school accommodations), disability paperwork, etc. so depending on whether or not the particular institution has revised its material/policies for DSM-V, folks diagnosed under DSM-IV can end up using either Aspergers, HFA, or other specifics OR adopt the DSM-V ASD.

I used to focus on the negatives, too. lack of coping mechanisms was what led me to diagnosis later as an adult. But hopefully you'll learn to embrace the positives. For me, it helped realizing that it was less a descriptor (i.e., I am an anxious person) than it was a reaction to different neurology in a neurotypical world (for example, I feel anxiety because I have heightened senses & have to operate in a loud, smelly, overly stimulating world). The latter mode of thought provides pathways to coping mechanisms: sunglasses, noise cancelling earbuds, locating quiet spaces, learning my limits, setting aside time for self care... i even carry something in my pocket that reminds me of a special interest. when i get anxious, i can fidget with it & help focus on that one thing... it's like grounding, only it embraces the laser-focus that is characteristic of my autistic brain. but i'm still learning & finding new coping mechanisms all the time... and failing sometimes. but i'm trying to be more forgiving of when i fail, when i can't go out just this second, or when i need to retreat to a safe, quiet place for a bit.

lots of rambling, my apologies. but i hope some of it may give you some ideas!

Thank you very much! I really appreciate your message. There are a lot of useful ideas that might be very interesting for me. Especially the section about the device in your pocket that is actually a reminder of your special interest intrigues me. When i am at home and something would cause anxiety, i would take a book. This is not possible outside of my four walls, though. I actually have a pocket watch and a card size periodic table of elements that could be useful for this.

If there are any more suggestions, you can write me a pm on here.

And now back to the original topic