Here are some helpful –and I would consider trustworthy– self-assessment screening tools to see whether you may or may not sit on the autism spectrum.
Bear in mind that although these self-tests are a very useful indicator, none of these give you a formal AS diagnosis. A clinical diagnosis has to be completed by an Autism Spectrum Diagnostic service.
If you do find yourself wondering why you experience certain difficulties and have no clue as to why, it might be worth printing off your tests and seeking a clinical referral via your doctor, as I did!
If you are a female reading this, you may find your path to diagnosis a surprise, and possibly more difficult, but I will post separate articles regarding this to keep this page clean and simple.
Specific autism screening tools commonly used in the UK include:
- The Pervasive Developmental Disorders Screening Test (PDDST)
- The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ)
- The Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) – formerly known as the Autism Screening Questionnaire (ASQ)
- The Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised (RAADS-R) .
Other Tests Related to Asperger’s or Autistic Traits
- The Alexithymia Questionnaire
The alexithymia questionnaires used in clinical research (TAS-20, BVAQ) aren’t available online, so try the Online Alexithymia Questionnaire (OAQ-G2).
- Friendship quotient (FQ)
- The Empathy Quotient (EQ)
- The Systemising Quotient (SQ)
- Reading the mind in films
- The Cambridge Mindreading Face-Voice Battery – Part 1 (Voices)
- The Cambridge Mindreading Face-Voice Battery – Part 2 (Faces)
- Two-Factor Imagination Scale (TFIS)
- Sensory Perception Quotient (SPQ)
- Aspie Quiz
The goal of this test is to check for neurodiverse / neurotypical traits in adults. The neurodiversity classification can be used to give a possible indication of Autism spectrum traits prior to eventual diagnosis. The Aspie Quiz is made up of 150 questions that fall into six domains. It was developed by Rdos and has been through many revisions over the years. While the Aspie Quiz isn’t an officially recognized test, it does seem to be an accurate reflection of neurotype and you get a pretty picture when you’re done 🙂
The current NICE guidelines advise considering the use of the Autism Spectrum Quotient-10 [AQ10] for adults with possible autism who do not have a moderate or severe learning disability.
Other ONLINE tests (More will be added as I research the huge web!)
Checklists and Criteria
- Checklist for Adults Questions for GPs to consider when talking to adult patients who may be on the autism spectrum.
- Checklist for Children This section of the NICE guidance describes signs and symptoms of possible autism in children.
- ICD-10 Criteria
- DSM V Criteria for Autism
- Top Tips for supporting patients, families and carers whilst waiting for a diagnostic assessment.
SEE ALSO: List Of Female Autistic Traits