The Autism Spectrum Quotient: A Guide

Getting evaluated for autism as an adult can be daunting. If you’re considering pursuing a diagnosis, you probably already know resources for autistic adults are limited, especially when it comes to getting diagnosed. For many, self-screening tools fill a gap, providing some information when a formal assessment isn’t accessible.
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Self-assessments like the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) can’t offer a formal diagnosis or establish your level of autism support, but they may serve as a valuable early step to help determine signs of autism in adults. 
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“The AQ helps individuals reflect on patterns in their social interactions, communication style, and sensory experiences, which can increase self-awareness and validate feelings they may have struggled to explain,” says Angeleena Francis, LMHC, Vice President of Adult Residential Operations at AMFM Healthcare. “For many, it opens the door to seeking a formal evaluation or simply understanding themselves better.”

Before I found Prosper Health on my journey to get diagnosed, my former therapist encouraged me to complete the AQ. He did this to help me further explore whether I might be autistic and to help him understand the traits and behaviors that led me to believe I may be. It’s one of the things that encouraged me to get back on the difficult road towards diagnosis.

Diagnoses aside, the AQ can also provide new scaffolding for introspection. For some, this can be a valuable tool for self-awareness and discovery. This work is often an important part of an individual’s mental health journey, regardless of whether they seek a formal autism diagnosis.

Read on to see how a self-screening tool could be useful for you, as well as a few things to keep in mind about these kinds of tests. Then, you can even take the AQ right away; we’ve embedded the quiz below. 

The AQ is a self-assessment that screens for traits and behaviors associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It is not a diagnostic tool and is not used by clinicians in formal autism evaluations.
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Some basic details about the AQ:

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• Statements: 50
• Duration: 5-10 minutes
• Author: Simon Baron-Cohen
• Seminal paper: The Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ): Evidence from Asperger Syndrome/High-Functioning Autism, Males and Females, Scientists and Mathematicians (2001)‍
  

The AQ test consists of a series of prompts evaluating five characteristics associated with autism:

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• Social skills
• Ability to shift attention
• Attention to detail
• Communication 
• Imagination
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This autism spectrum quiz presents you with a statement (example: “I prefer to do things the same way over and over again”). Then you are offered the same four choices for each statement:

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1. Definitely agree
2. Slightly agree
3. Slightly disagree
4. Definitely disagree

Keep in mind that your score is not impacted if you choose “slightly” or “definitely,” so focus more on whether you “agree” or “disagree.”

The AQ was originally designed for adults in 2001—specifically, for people over age 16—who do not have an intellectual disability. It has since been adapted for children and teenagers as well. The versions for children and teenagers are intended for a parent or caretaker to take on behalf of the child.

Here’s the breakdown of your AQ score chart:

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• The autism quotient test is scored out of 50, meaning each prompt can correspond to one point. 
• An AQ score of 25 is considered the threshold. 
  
  • If you have a score of 26 or over, that can indicate you may have a greater prevalence of autistic traits. This does not necessarily mean you meet the DSM-5-TR criteria for autism spectrum disorder, but it may be worth pursuing an evaluation.
  • Scores lower than 26 indicate a lower likelihood of autistic characteristics.
  • About 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
    

While an AQ score interpretation is a helpful indicator for many, this does not offer a conclusive answer as to whether an individual is autistic or not. An official autism assessment is far more comprehensive than the AQ, and is the only way to receive a formal diagnosis.

The AQ consistently returns higher scores for autistic individuals than allistic (aka not on the autism spectrum) people, meaning it is successful in discerning between these two groups. It also shows good inter-rater reliability, the degree to which two or more individual researchers achieve the same results when assessing the same testing population. The same can be said about the AQ’s test-retest reliability, meaning individuals score consistently with their previous results when they retake the AQ. 
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“The AQ is fairly well-researched and has shown good reliability for identifying traits associated with autism, particularly in adults,” offers Francis. That said, she reiterates that it is not designed to diagnose autism. “Results can be influenced by mood, self-awareness, or how a person interprets the questions,” she says. 
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Though its results are not conclusive and cannot provide a diagnosis, Francis believes the AQ is a “useful” preliminary screening tool. As long as you keep in mind that “it’s not a definitive measure of whether someone is or isn’t autistic.” 

Although it’s not a formal diagnostic tool, the AQ can be a meaningful step for many individuals who may be wondering if they are autistic. The AQ is a widely available self-screening tool that’s relatively quick to complete, making it a popular preliminary step for individuals considering an autism assessment. For these individuals, taking the AQ may guide or reinforce their decision to seek a formal diagnosis.
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“For many people, taking the AQ is empowering,” says Francis. “It can validate experiences that may have been confusing or dismissed in the past, and it gives language to traits they may not have fully understood.”

She continues: “Sharing results with a clinician can also help guide next steps, whether that’s seeking a full evaluation, pursuing therapy, or simply learning strategies to navigate the world more comfortably,” advises Francis.

Since its publication in 2001, the AQ has faced some valid criticism, mainly around gender bias and the way its prompts feel unclear and lack nuance.
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Gender bias

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The AQ, along with other screening tools for autism, has been criticized as unresponsive to different presentations of autism across genders. Autism is widely believed to present differently in women, girls, and nonbinary people than in men and boys. Because popular beliefs about autism are largely constructed around how autism presents in boys and men, so are many of the diagnostic tools available to us.

This appears to be the case with the AQ, which research suggests women tend to score lower on than men. One of the AQ’s major biases around gender emerges in questions that assess for lack of social intuition, a trait that autistic girls and women are more likely to become hyper-aware of and learn to mask. Autistic women may be more likely to respond affirmatively to statements like “I am good at social chitchat,” or “I know how to tell if someone listening to me is getting bored,” but this does not mean they find these skills come naturally or feel comfortable.
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Ambiguity of prompts

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Many advocates have also critiqued the AQ for using prompts that are open for interpretation. 
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Questions that allistic people may interpret one way can be read differently, or ambiguously, by autistic individuals. For example, the AQ includes the statement, “I am fascinated by dates.” While some autistic people do gravitate toward numbers and numerical dates, others may read this question and feel unsure of whether it refers to a romantic evening, a fruit, or a day on the calendar.
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In attempting to offer concrete scenarios, the AQ actually presents several ambiguous possibilities. The AQ asks respondents to consider whether they would rather go to a party or a library, but is the library crowded? Does it have fluorescent lighting or strong smells? Is the party a small gathering in a familiar place? Are my close friends there, and do I have to mask or be “on” the whole time? Autistic individuals completing the AQ may find it helpful to have an open text box below each question to provide explanations for their answers.
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In 2017, researchers found that several AQ questions, in addition to the “I am fascinated by dates” one, were outdated and unclear, including:

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• Question 21. “I don’t particularly enjoy reading fiction.
• Question 29. “I am not very good at remembering phone numbers.”
• Question 30. “I don’t usually notice small changes in a situation or a person’s appearance.”
• Question 49. “I am not very good at remembering people’s date of birth.”
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Characterizing autism without nuance

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Others still have pointed out that some AQ test prompts flatten autistic experiences, or even rely on tired tropes about autism. These advocates argue that the creators of the AQ misunderstood how autistic individuals would interpret and respond to the test’s prompts.
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For instance, the statement “I would rather go to the theater than to a museum” scores one point when the respondent answers “Definitely disagree” or “Slightly disagree.” However, many autistic people (myself included) find museums overstimulating. Of course, theaters can be rife with sensory triggers—but personally, I tend to prefer going to a theater where I can put in my earplugs, sit back, and watch a show in an otherwise quiet, still room where I don’t have to make any decisions.
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Other prompts still have been called into question for leaning on autistic stereotypes. The prompt “When I’m reading a story, I find it difficult to work out the characters’ intentions,” is one example. This question circles around an autistic person’s social intuition, but assumes that autistic individuals can’t learn to understand people’s intentions, nor can they exercise empathy. These presumptions, of course, are not true for all autistic people.
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Perhaps the flattening of the autistic experience is an inherent downfall of a test intended to be quick and accessible. These critiques highlight the limitations of a self-screening tool in comparison to a comprehensive assessment conducted by a mental healthcare professional.
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“The AQ can be a helpful entry point, but it has its limitations,” observes Francis. “It was designed based on earlier understandings of autism, which means it may not fully capture the diversity of the spectrum.” She also agrees that the binary format (agree/disagree) “can oversimplify complex experiences.”
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An autistic-informed alternative: The SAAT

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Recognizing these limitations, researchers have developed newer autism screening tools that may offer improvements:

The Self-Assessment of Autistic Traits (SAAT) shows promise as an alternative to the AQ. Developed under the leadership of autistic researchers and constructed with direct input from autistic individuals, the SAAT uses clearer, more accessible language that reduces ambiguity in how autistic traits are described.

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The measure was designed to capture the inner autistic experience rather than focusing solely on observable behaviors, and it uses strength-based framing rather than deficit-focused language. While still undergoing validation studies, the SAAT represents an important shift toward autism assessment tools created by and for autistic people. This measure is not yet widely available.

Prosper Health's autism screening was developed by a team of neurodivergent clinicians and asks about internal autism experiences from a strengths-based perspective. Our assessment process recognizes that autism presents differently across individuals and prioritizes understanding each unique autistic experience, and helps direct people toward whether further evaluation is indicated.

Preliminary screening tools like the AQ are imperfect, but illuminating. They are helpful for many on the road toward an autism diagnosis, or for those who do not wish to or cannot pursue a formal diagnosis.

“I encourage people to treat the AQ as a starting point for reflection, not a final answer,” says Francis. “If you’ve scored above the AQ threshold, take it as a signal to explore further rather than a diagnosis.”

As a next step, she advises meeting with a licensed clinician who specializes in autism assessments for a full evaluation. “Many people find that this process brings clarity and helps them access the right resources, support, and community.”

If you are curious about your self-screen score and want to discuss it with a clinical professional, Prosper Health is here to help. Prosper Health provides telehealth autism assessments that are covered by insurance and 100% virtual. Our psychologists are experienced in working with autistic adults and use the most up-to-date, evidence-based practices to diagnose autism in adults. 

Plus, our clinicians offer neurodiversity-affirming therapy, helping you navigate common challenges related to autism. Prosper Health therapists are prepared to meet you where you are and can help you work toward your individual mental health goals. allowing you to truly thrive after receiving an autism diagnosis.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
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How accurate is the Autism Spectrum Quotient?

While the AQ’s results are not always conclusive and cannot provide a diagnosis, this test is considered a reliable preliminary screening tool. 
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Is the Autism Spectrum Quotient a diagnostic test for autism?

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No, the AQ is not a diagnostic test for autism. It can help you potentially identify autistic traits, but only a clinical provider can administer a formal diagnostic assessment for autism. 

What is the cut-off score for autism?

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The AQ threshold is 26, which means a score of 26 or higher can indicate that an individual may have a greater prevalence of autistic traits. However, an AQ score does not determine whether or not you have autism. A diagnosis can only be established through a clinical evaluation. 

Can I still be autistic if my AQ score is below 26?

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Yes, because the AQ is not a diagnostic assessment. The only way to know if you are autistic is to undergo a formal clinical evaluation.

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What should I do after taking the AQ test?

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If you’re interested in discussing your AQ score with a clinical professional, Prosper Health can help by way of telehealth autism assessments and/or neurodiversity-affirming therapy. 

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