What can the
AQ results tell me about whether I'm autistic?
Self-identification requires a comprehensive self-assessment, which can include a barrage of self-assessment questionnaires, reviewing content from autistic content creators, learning more about the autistic neurotype, talking to friends and family about your strengths and qualities that might align with being autistic.
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The The Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) can provide insight into how many autistic qualities you experience, based on the list presented in the questionnaire.
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While the AQ has been beneficial in various research contexts, some critiques from the Autistic Community emphasise the need for more holistic and neuroaffirming representations of autistic experiences.
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Rights & permissions
This test is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.
Ready to learn more about whether you might be autistic?
What do the scores mean?
Scores range from 0 - 50. Scores 26 and higher indicate that you might be autistic.
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In a study involving the AQ, it was found that:
- 79.3% of autistic people score 32 or higher
- Most non-autistic males score 17 on average
- Most non-autistic females score 15 on average
If your scores put you into the 'autistic category', you can keep exploring whether you are autistic by accessing the resources below:
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We have some options for you to explore that might guide you on your journey:
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Guided Self-Assessment Webinar with our founder, an autistic autism assessor.
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7 Day Self-Identification Challenge Workbook
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Free Introduction to the Autistic Neurotype download
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Articles - both introductory and deep dive packed with research and case studies.
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Formal Autism Assessment within Australia with our sister organisation led by our founder, Say Hooray.
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Learn more about the AQ
The Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) is a self-assessment tool developed to measure the extent of autistic traits in adults. It consists of 50 questions, with each question designed to assess personal preferences and habits relating to social communication, attention to detail, attention switching, imagination, and tolerance of change. Participants respond to each question using a 4-point scale that ranges from "definitely agree" to "definitely disagree."
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The AQ serves to provide a preliminary indication of whether an person might be autistic. It's not meant to provide a 'clinical diagnosis' but instead offers insight into the presence of qualities commonly associated with autism. While the AQ has been beneficial in various research contexts, some critiques from the Autistic Community emphasise the need for more holistic and neuroaffirming representations of autistic experiences.
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Find the original study here: https://docs.autismresearchcentre.com/papers/2001_BCetal_AQ.pdf
How was the
AQ Developed?
The Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) was developed to assess the range of autistic traits in adults 'of average intelligence'. The purpose was to identify autistic qualities without offering a 'clinical diagnosis'. In the foundational research, the AQ was tested on a varied group of participants, including those identified as "high-functioning" autistic or having Asperger Syndrome (which is no longer in clinical use). The participants also spanned different genders and included scientists and mathematicians. This broad sampling was aimed at validating the AQ across diverse populations.
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However, from the perspective of many in the Autistic Community, the framing and approach of the original AQ research could be critiqued for not being entirely neuroaffirming. By singling out populations like scientists and mathematicians, there's a potential perpetuation of stereotypes about autistic individuals and our professional preferences. Additionally, the use of terms like "high-functioning" is problematic, as it suggests a hierarchy of autistic experiences, and an oversimplification of support needs.