Introduction
The 50-item AQ explores patterns in social interaction, communication, attention to detail, imagination and shifting attention. It asks about preferences and everyday experiences rather than testing intelligence or achievement.
The original adult AQ research considered autistic traits across groups. A questionnaire describes a pattern of answers; developmental history and the settings in which someone feels comfortable or struggles add a different perspective. Examples from childhood and adult life can therefore be useful in a discussion.
RAADS-14 is a shorter adult questionnaire with different items. Child and toddler questionnaires instead rely on caregivers or other observers. Choose by age and respondent first, and use the item topics to understand why two tools may describe different aspects of experience.
Instructions
For each statement below, choose one response that best describes how strongly that statement applies to you:
Scoring and result metrics
The result page reports a local screening score for this questionnaire. Use the score range, any subscale scores, and the interpretation band together rather than treating one number as a diagnosis.
- Score range
- 0-50
- Items scored
- 50
- Result indicators
- Total score / Interpretation band when available
Score interpretation bands
- 0-25Few or no autistic traits
Scores in the 0-25 range indicate few or no Autistic traits.
- 26-32Intermediate range
Scores in the 26-32 range indicate increasing Autistic traits.
- 33-50Significant autistic traits
Scores in the 33-50 range indicate significant Autistic traits (Autism).
Interpretation bands summarize screening thresholds from the questionnaire source material. Higher scores usually indicate more of the measured concern unless the tool notes a different scoring rule.
Tool information
- Version
- 50 questions
- Administration
- Self-report
- Intended audience
- Adults and older adolescents aged 16 or above exploring self-reported autistic traits; it is not a developmental assessment for young children
Sources
- Simon Baron-Cohen, et al. The Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ): Evidence from Asperger Syndrome/High-Functioning Autism, Males and Females, Scientists and Mathematicians. 31: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 5-17. 2001.
- M Woodbury-Smith. Screening Adults for Asperger Syndrome using the AQ: a Preliminary Study of its Diagnostic Validity in Clinical Practice. 35(3): 331-335. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 2005.
- Dorothy VM Bishop, et al. Using Self-Report to Identify the Broad Phenotype in Parents of Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders: A Study using the Autism-Spectrum Quotient. 45(8): 1431-1436. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry (2004).
Related tests
Explore related screening tools in the same topic area.
Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ)
ASSQ collects observations of a school-age child's social communication, interests and behaviour.
Childhood Autism Spectrum Test (CAST)
CAST is a parent-report questionnaire about a child's communication, play, interests and social interaction.
Infant-Toddler Checklist (ITC)
The Infant–Toddler Checklist organises caregiver observations about early communication.