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AQ-10

Autism Screening Test

Table of Contents

tcc-aq10

What’s AQ- 10?

The AQ-10 Autism Spectrum Quotient is a brief survey-type questionnaire that serves as an essential tool for primary care practitioners to determine whether a person should be warranted a referral for autism assessment.

For Whom is this Test Intended?

The primary target participants of the AQ-10 test are adults aged 16 and older who are exhibiting various signs of autism but do not suffer from a learning disability.

How the AQ- 10 Test is Administered

Taking the AQ- 10 test is as simple as it can be. You only need to answer 10 brief survey-type statements in which you have 4 choices:

  • STRONGLY AGREE
  • SOMEWHAT AGREE
  • SOMEWHAT DISAGREE
  • STRONGLY DISAGREE

Note that scoring does not differ considerably when answering ‘strongly’ and ‘somewhat.’ Simply consider the following statements as binary choices.

About the Scoring

The AQ-10 test often involves simplicity, and as such, its scoring system is also simple. Below are the critical pointers about this test’s scoring system:

Score range: 0 to 10

  • Your score’s assessment:
      • If your score is 6 or higher, there may be indications of autism.
      • If your score is less than 6, it is less likely that you are autistic.
  • 80% of individuals diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome achieve a score of 6 or higher

About its Validity

If you’re wondering about the validity of this test, that curiosity is warranted. After all, the test’s reliability, accuracy, validity, and currency are essential considerations.

That said, below is the scope of AQ- 10 test validity:

  • The AQ-10 upholds the predictive accuracy established by the comprehensive 50-item assessment.
  • Consequently, the AQ-10 proves to be an invaluable resource for swiftly gauging an individual’s placement along the autism-normality spectrum.

The AQ-10 Test

I find that I normally concentrate on the whole picture, and do not notice small details.(Required)
I can easily do more than one thing at a time.(Required)
I can tell when someone listening to me is becoming bored.(Required)
I have difficulty understanding the motivations of characters in stories.(Required)
I enjoy studying the categories of things.(Required)
I have a hard time understanding people's intentions.(Required)
Interruptions do not prevent me from returning to what I was working on before.(Required)
I can tell what someone is thinking or feeling by examining their facial expressions.(Required)
It is easy for me to "read between the lines" when I am speaking to someone.(Required)
I frequently hear small sounds that others do not notice.(Required)
Name(Required)

What Does Your Score Mean?

The AQ-10 provides limited insight, yielding only a single score. According to the test, scores of 6 or above may suggest autism or a considerable presence of autistic traits.

While no single test can definitively diagnose autism, and the AQ-10 is not exhaustive, higher scores should prompt additional evaluation.

What are Your Next Steps?

If you score higher than 6 points or are suspected of having autism, the next step would be to take the following ‘follow-up’ tests below:

A basic test used to decide if someone needs a more detailed check for autism.
Since the AQ- 10 test is not a comprehensive way to determine whether you might be autistic, it is highly recommended that you take CAT-Q if your score is lower than 6. This test covers all the factors that the AQ- 10 might have missed or overlooked.
RAADS-R tests adults who often don’t get diagnosed because their symptoms are not severe enough.

The best-recommended step here is to consult a professional for help. At The Care Clinic, we offer valuable expertise, insights, and the right resources to help you properly determine if you truly have autism.