Attention
Autistic traits check
10 questions · 3 min
This is a short set of statements that doctors in the UK often use to decide whether an adult might benefit from a specialist autism assessment. It asks about things like noticing small sounds and details, switching between tasks, and working out what other people think or feel.
There are no right or wrong answers. The result simply shows how many of your answers match patterns that are common in autistic people.
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What it shows
Whether your answers reach the level where a specialist autism assessment is usually suggested.
What it doesn’t
A diagnosis. Only a specialist assessment can tell whether someone is autistic.
Who it’s for
This check is for adults who wonder whether autism might explain some of their experiences. Perhaps social situations leave you more tired than they seem to leave others, you notice small sounds or details that people around you miss, or a sudden change of plan throws you more than you’d expect. Some people take it after reading about autism, or because a friend or family member has mentioned it.
It works best as a starting point. If you’re thinking about speaking to your doctor, your result can give you a simple way to open that conversation.
Questions people ask
What does the AQ-10 measure?
It looks at how many of your answers match ways of noticing, thinking and relating to others that are common in autistic people. The ten statements cover things like attention to detail, switching between tasks and working out what other people think or feel, and take about 3 minutes.
How is the AQ-10 scored?
Each statement scores one point when your answer leans towards the pattern that’s common in autistic people, which means agreeing with some statements and disagreeing with others. The total runs from 0 to 10. A score of 6 or more is the level where UK NICE guidance suggests considering a referral for a specialist autism assessment.
Can the AQ-10 tell me if I’m autistic?
No. It’s a short screening check, not a diagnosis, and only a specialist assessment can tell whether someone is autistic. A score of 6 or more doesn’t mean you are autistic, and a lower score doesn’t rule it out.
Who developed the AQ-10?
Carrie Allison, Bonnie Auyeung and Simon Baron-Cohen at the Autism Research Centre, University of Cambridge, in 2012. It’s a shortened version of the longer Autism Spectrum Quotient.
Should I retake it?
There’s usually no need. The statements ask about long-standing ways of noticing and thinking, so your answers aren’t expected to change much over time.
What should I do if my score is 6 or more?
If these patterns feel familiar and you’d like to understand yourself better, you could talk it through with your doctor. They can discuss your result with you and refer you for an assessment if you’d like one.
Where it comes from
Developed by Carrie Allison, Bonnie Auyeung and Simon Baron-Cohen at the Autism Research Centre, University of Cambridge, in 2012.
Autism Spectrum Quotient
On iPhone or iPad?
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