Autism Spectrum Self-Assessment for Adults

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects communication, social interaction, information processing, and worldview. People with autism often have differences in communication and behavior related to social interaction, reliance on routines, and physical sensations. Autism is on a spectrum, meaning it can manifest in different ways and have varying support needs and functional capabilities. Autism can be quite disabling for some people, while others are highly functional.

The traits most often associated with autism can be grouped into different areas. Social communication differences may include difficulty understanding social cues or expectations or trouble following the flow of conversation. Behavioral patterns may include a strong need for a strict routine, intense fixation on interests or hobbies, repetitive behaviors or movements (stimming), or difficulty with transitions and change. People with autism may also have heightened sensitivity to sound, light, texture, touch, taste, or other physical sensations.

Autism is on a spectrum because it presents differently in different people depending on severity, gender, support needs, and communication styles. Some people need lifelong support and are nonverbal, while others are highly functional and require very little support. Milder forms of autism might not be diagnosed until adolescence or adulthood because the traits are less immediately apparent. Some people with autism have learned how to mask their traits, which can also delay diagnosis.

The autism questionnaire is based on the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ). The full AQ consists of 50 questions, with a score ranging from 0 to 50. Higher scores are consistent with a greater number of autistic traits. In research on adults, scores of 26 to 31 are considered elevated, and scores of 32 or higher are more strongly associated with the most common traits of autism. However, these numbers are only used for screening and are not a diagnosis. The full diagnostic testing for autism is much more extensive and is done by a professional.

No. An autism spectrum self-test for adults or an autism self-test cannot diagnose autism. A diagnosis requires a full clinical evaluation performed by a professional that includes history from the patient, family, and/or caregivers, current level of functioning, and other possible explanations for behavior, such as anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or other mental health conditions. It also requires a longer, more specialized assessment.

An autism self-assessment may be helpful for people who have long-standing social, behavioral, or sensory differences. However, this screening is most appropriate for adults who are considering whether a professional assessment may be warranted. It is not a substitute for a clinical diagnosis.

The AQ should be used as a screening tool, and not as a label. A score of 0 to 25 suggests fewer autism-related traits are reported; 26 to 31 suggests elevated traits that may warrant a more formal evaluation; and 32 to 50 suggests a higher level of traits that strongly encourage a professional evaluation. An autism spectrum test online is not a complete assessment and is not a clinical diagnosis.
In the original validation study, 80% of the adults with average or above-average cognitive ability scored higher than 32, as compared to 2% of those without autism spectrum disorder. Notably, twice as many men as women in the non-ASD control group scored at the intermediate levels. This study was performed on people with higher functioning autism, and not on people with more severe symptoms. However, in another study, some people who had anxiety scored high on the AQ because some of the traits overlap.
Also, among the group with ASD but scored below 32, approximately 64% were not identified, meaning this assessment may not catch a significant number of cases in a given population. Other studies have validated the AQ score across different populations but have found that autism may present differently across cultures. Therefore, this screening test is more of a high-functioning autism test, and its results can vary in women and other cultures. This is why a professional evaluation is necessary for diagnosis.

You should consider a professional evaluation if your score is elevated, or if you are having trouble with work, relationships, school, daily life, or mental health because of your traits or experiences. If others have noticed a lifelong pattern in your behavior, it may be wise to seek a professional evaluation. However, remember that autism traits can overlap with other conditions, so you want to seek professional help so you can obtain the best support.

This online assessment for adult autism is based on the Autism Spectrum Quotient, which is a questionnaire developed by Simon Baron-Cohen and colleagues at the University of Cambridge. The AQ was designed to measure the degree of autistic traits in adults, especially adults with average or above-average cognitive ability. It has been widely used in research to compare groups of people with autism to those without autism. The original study described a 50-item self-administered measure with scores ranging from 0 to 50. Additional assessment tools used in research and clinical practice include the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2), the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) (an interview conducted with family, friends, or a caregiver rather than the individual), and the Social Responsiveness Scale, Second Edition (SRS-2).

This screening test has important limitations. While an autism self-test can help you to understand patterns, it cannot replace a developmental history or observation-based assessment by a professional. Other mental health conditions can also influence results. Furthermore, autism can present differently in men and women, and men often score higher on this test than women.
These differences are partly explained by “masking” or “camouflaging” (suppressing or hiding autistic traits in social situations), which is more prevalent in women and can affect AQ scores. Autism in women can be more nuanced and may need more specialized testing. This test is also designed for average or above-average cognitive ability, and not for those with more severe forms of autism.