About & Methodology
Our Mission
We believe that autism screening should be accessible to everyone. Many people live with undiagnosed autism—experiencing social exhaustion, sensory overload, or a feeling of being "different" without understanding why. For many, especially adults and women who may have been missed in childhood, the path to self-discovery begins with a moment of recognition.
Our free self-assessment is designed to facilitate that moment. It provides a structured framework for evaluating your own experiences against clinical criteria, giving you clear results you can bring to a healthcare provider. We do not charge for the assessment, we do not require an account, and we do not sell your data.
Who Built This
Jack Squire — Founder
Top 1% SEO Expert on Upwork · Founder of Outrider Digital · Neurodivergent Advocate
Jack built Free Autism Test and Free ADHD Test to make neurodivergent screening accessible to everyone. As someone who thinks differently, he understands the value of self-discovery and believes no one should have to pay to learn how their brain works. He also builds productivity tools for neurodivergent individuals through his projects.
Methodology: How the Assessment Was Built
DSM-5 & RAADS-R Influence
Our assessment is informed by the primary diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as defined in the DSM-5. It focuses on the two cardinal domains of autism:
- Social Communication & Interaction: Differences in social-emotional reciprocity, nonverbal communication, and relationship development.
- Restricted & Repetitive Behaviors: Sensory sensitivities, insistence on sameness, focused interests, and repetitive movements (stimming).
We have also drawn inspiration from established self-report measures like the RAADS-R (Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised), translating clinical language into accessible, everyday questions that reflect the lived experience of autistic individuals.
Question Design
Each question was designed to be behaviorally specific and contextually relevant for both adults and children/teens. We use a frequency-based (Likert) scale because autism is a spectrum of traits, not a simple yes/no binary.
How Scoring Works
Each of the 18 questions is answered on a 5-point scale. For our clinical threshold analysis, a response of "Often" or "Very Often" (3 or 4 points) is counted as a clinically relevant trait. We look for a pattern of at least 6 social traits or 4 behavioral/sensory traits to indicate a high likelihood of autistic presentation.
For a detailed breakdown of what your score means, see our Understanding Your Results page.
Privacy and Data Handling
We take your privacy seriously. Your answers and results are processed entirely in your browser. We do not transmit your assessment data to our servers or any third party. No account is required, and no identifiable data is collected.
Important Limitations
- It is not a diagnosis. A self-assessment cannot replace the clinical judgment of a trained professional.
- It does not account for co-occurring conditions. ADHD, anxiety, and sensory processing disorders can overlap with autism.
- Self-report has limits. Your results depend on your own self-awareness and understanding of the questions.
Next Steps
If your results suggest a high likelihood of autism, we encourage you to seek a formal evaluation if you need access to accommodations, therapeutic support, or further clarity. Use these results as a starting point for a conversation with a qualified professional.
Explore our full library of resources for screening tools tailored to your experience, guides on masking, sensory processing, and more.