Understanding your results
You have completed one of our free autism screenings. This guide explains how to interpret your scores and what they mean in the context of clinical autism criteria.
Reminder: These screenings are not a diagnosis. They identify traits that align with the autism spectrum. A formal diagnosis requires a comprehensive clinical evaluation.
Understanding Your Scores by Test
Each screening uses a different validated scoring methodology. Find the test you took below for a detailed explanation.
AQ-10 (10 questions)
Each question is scored 0 or 1 based on whether your response aligns with the autistic trait direction. Your total score ranges from 0 to 10.
Sensitivity: ~88% of autistic individuals score at or above threshold.
AQ-50 (50 questions)
Same 0/1 scoring per question, giving a total between 0 and 50. Evaluates five domains: Social Skills, Attention Switching, Attention to Detail, Communication, and Imagination.
RAADS-R (80 questions)
Uses a lifetime pattern scale: "True now and when I was young" (3 points), "True only now" (2), "True only when younger than 16" (1), "Never true" (0). Some items are reverse-scored. Evaluates four domains: Social Relatedness, Sensory/Motor, Circumscribed Interests, and Language.
M-CHAT-R (20 questions, parent-report)
A screening for toddlers aged 16 to 30 months. Each yes/no question is scored based on whether the response indicates developmental risk.
Low Risk: Continue routine developmental monitoring.
Medium Risk: Follow-up interview and possible referral recommended.
High Risk: Immediate referral for evaluation recommended.
What Your Score Does and Does Not Tell You
Scoring above a clinical threshold means your self-reported traits are consistent with the patterns typically seen in autistic individuals. It does not mean you are autistic — only a comprehensive clinical evaluation can determine that.
Conversely, scoring below a threshold does not rule out autism, particularly for people who are highly skilled at masking their traits.
Next Steps
- Reflection: Consider how long these traits have been present. Autism is neurodevelopmental, meaning these patterns usually exist from childhood, even if they were masked.
- Try another screening: If you took the AQ-10, consider the more comprehensive AQ-50 or the RAADS-R (specifically designed for adults).
- Research: Explore topics like masking and sensory processing to see if they resonate with your lived experience.
- Professional Evaluation: If you seek formal accommodations or medical support, use these results as a starting point for a conversation with a psychologist or psychiatrist specializing in adult or child autism.