The AQ-10 (Autism-Spectrum Quotient, 10-item) is a validated self-report screening questionnaire developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge. It is widely used as a brief first-step screen to identify adults who may benefit from a comprehensive autism assessment. A score of 6 or above indicates elevated autistic traits and is typically used as a clinical referral threshold.
This is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. The AQ-10 indicates whether a full clinical assessment may be warranted — it cannot confirm or rule out autism. Only a qualified clinician can diagnose autism spectrum disorder.
AQ-10 Questionnaire
For each statement, choose the response that best describes you.
1 I often notice small sounds when others do not
2 I usually concentrate more on the whole picture, rather than the small details
3 I find it easy to do more than one thing at once
4 If there is an interruption, I can switch back to what I was doing very quickly
5 I find it easy to 'read between the lines' when someone is talking to me
6 I know how to tell if someone listening to me is getting bored
7 When I'm reading a story, I find it difficult to work out the characters' intentions
8 I like to collect information about categories of things
9 I find it easy to work out what someone is thinking or feeling just by looking at their face
10 I find it difficult to work out people's intentions
How to Use the AQ-10 Autism Screener
The AQ-10 autism screening questionnaire is a validated 10-item self-report tool used as a first step to assess whether an adult might benefit from a full autism spectrum assessment. This free tool scores your responses instantly and compares them against the published clinical threshold.
Step 1: Read each statement carefully
There are 10 statements covering areas such as attention to detail, multitasking, social communication, and pattern recognition — all domains relevant to autism spectrum. Read each one in the context of how you generally feel and behave, not just on a single day.
Step 2: Choose your response
For each statement, select one of four options: Definitely Agree, Slightly Agree, Slightly Disagree, or Definitely Disagree. There are no right or wrong answers. Answer honestly based on your typical experiences.
Step 3: Read your score and interpretation
Once all 10 questions are answered, your AQ-10 score (0–10) is displayed alongside an interpretation. The clinical referral threshold is 6 out of 10. A score of 6 or higher suggests elevated autistic traits and that a comprehensive assessment with a qualified clinician may be worthwhile.
Understanding the scoring direction
The AQ-10 uses a mixed scoring system. For some items (1, 7, 8, 10), agreeing scores 1 point — these describe traits more common in autistic individuals. For others (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9), disagreeing scores 1 point — because most non-autistic adults would agree with those statements. This calculator handles the scoring automatically.
What to do with your result
A score below 6 does not rule out autism — the AQ-10 is a brief screen, not a comprehensive diagnostic tool. A score of 6 or above is a signal to speak with your GP or a mental health professional about a referral for full assessment. In many countries, you can also self-refer to NHS adult autism assessment services or private clinical psychologists.
About the AQ-10 questionnaire
The AQ-10 was developed by Simon Baron-Cohen and colleagues at the Autism Research Centre, University of Cambridge, and published in the British Journal of General Practice in 2009. It was designed for use in primary care as a brief, validated screener for adults suspected of having autism spectrum disorder. The threshold of 6 was chosen to balance sensitivity and specificity for clinical use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this AQ-10 screening tool free to use?
Yes, this AQ-10 autism screening tool is completely free with no account or signup required. You can use it as many times as needed. All processing runs locally in your browser.
Is my data safe and private?
Yes. All your answers and scores are processed entirely in your browser using client-side JavaScript. No responses, scores, or personal information are ever sent to a server or stored anywhere. When you close the page, everything is gone.
What is the AQ-10?
The AQ-10 (Autism-Spectrum Quotient, 10-item version) is a validated self-report screening questionnaire developed by Simon Baron-Cohen and colleagues at the University of Cambridge. It was designed to help identify adults who may benefit from a full autism spectrum assessment. Each of the 10 items is scored 0 or 1 for a total of 0–10.
What does a score of 6 or above mean?
A score of 6 or higher on the AQ-10 is the clinical referral threshold. It indicates that autistic traits are significantly elevated and that a comprehensive assessment by a qualified clinician is recommended. It does not mean you have autism — only a formal diagnostic evaluation can determine that.
Can this tool diagnose autism?
No. The AQ-10 is a screening instrument, not a diagnostic tool. A high score indicates that further evaluation by a qualified clinical psychologist or psychiatrist is warranted. Only a licensed clinician can diagnose autism spectrum disorder (ASD) following a comprehensive assessment.
Who is the AQ-10 designed for?
The AQ-10 was developed and validated for use with adults (18+). There are separate versions for children (the AQ-10-Child) and adolescents (the AQ-10-Adolescent), which use different questions and thresholds. This tool uses the adult version only.
How does the AQ-10 scoring work?
Each question scores either 0 or 1. For some questions, 'Definitely Agree' or 'Slightly Agree' scores 1 point. For others, 'Definitely Disagree' or 'Slightly Disagree' scores 1 point — these reflect traits associated with autism spectrum. The direction of scoring varies by question, which is built into this calculator.
What should I do if I score above the threshold?
If you score 6 or above, consider speaking with your GP or a mental health professional about a formal autism assessment. In many countries you can also self-refer to autism diagnostic services. A high screening score is a starting point for conversation, not a conclusion.