Autism Traits Test

A 20-question screener for autistic traits in adults: social life, communication, focus, routine and the senses.

20 questions5 minFree to answer

Before you start

Answer based on how you usually are, not how you would like to be. There are no right or wrong answers.

This questionnaire is for self-reflection. It is not a diagnosis.

What it measures

Social interaction
Communication
Attention to detail
Routine and flexibility
Sensory sensitivity

About this test

Autistic adults often notice differences in how they socialize, communicate, focus, handle change and process sensory input. This test asks about each of those five areas. Its questions follow the style of established adult screening questionnaires but are written specifically for SelfAssessment.io.

What the research says

Short autism-trait questionnaires were designed at the University of Cambridge to flag people who may benefit from a full assessment, not to diagnose. Research from Karolinska Institutet also found that adults with ADHD or other psychiatric conditions often score high on autism questionnaires. A high score is a reason to seek a full assessment, which looks at your childhood and daily life. It is not proof of autism.

Research behind this test

University of Cambridge
Introduced the Autism-Spectrum Quotient, a widely used self-report measure of autistic traits in adults.
Baron-Cohen, S., Wheelwright, S., Skinner, R., Martin, J., & Clubley, E. (2001). The Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ). Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 31(1), 5–17.
University of Cambridge
Showed that a short autism-trait questionnaire works as a "red flag" for referral to a full assessment, not as a diagnosis. We frame every autism result the same way.
Allison, C., Auyeung, B., & Baron-Cohen, S. (2012). Toward brief 'Red Flags' for autism screening. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 51(2), 202–212.
Karolinska Institutet
Found that autism questionnaires pick up most autistic adults but also give high scores to many people with ADHD or other conditions. Our results explain this.
Eriksson, J. M., Andersen, L. M. J., & Bejerot, S. (2013). RAADS-14 Screen: validity of a screening tool for autism spectrum disorder in an adult psychiatric population. Molecular Autism, 4, 49.

These researchers and institutions are not affiliated with SelfAssessment.io and do not endorse it.

Questions about this test

Can an online test tell me if I am autistic?

No online test can diagnose autism. A diagnosis comes from a clinical assessment that looks at your history and how you function day to day. A screener like this one can help you decide whether an assessment is worth pursuing.

Who is this test for?

Adults aged 18 and over who want to reflect on autistic traits in themselves.

How is it scored?

Each answer that matches a common autistic trait scores one point, for a total out of 20. Scores of 13 or more indicate many autistic traits, and 8 to 12 indicate some.