If you are reading this, there is a good chance that you or someone you know has expressed some curiosity as to whether you or they may be Autistic. This is just one of multiple posts covering the question of self-diagnosis, and in this post we are taking a closer look at autism assessments for self-discovery. 

If you have read some of our other posts on the topic of self-diagnosis or have explored the topic at length, you may already be aware of the ways it can be beneficial as a tool of growth and self-understanding. But with benefits come some reasonable concerns. How do we know what information is accurate ? What are some reliable indicators for helping us get a good idea of where all this questioning is headed?

The process of self-diagnosis or self-identification benefits from considering lots of different sources and modes of connection . One resource that is now widely available is a plethora of tests, none of which are definitive on their own but all of which can offer some perspective as to whether a potential Autism self-diagnosis feels like it could be on the right track. 

Let’s take a look at a few of those tests, the role they play in the official diagnostic process, and what we might learn from taking it on our own.

This is a short assessment used by general practitioners to decide whether to refer a patient for Autism assessment. It is far from comprehensive and only meant to be the very beginning of a longer process if it is determined that more answers are needed. 

If you are interested in taking something quick and preliminary to offer a very initial guidepost as to whether this might be a path you want to follow, the AQ-10 is a great starting point! People seeking more comprehensive questions should look elsewhere.

Link to the The AQ-10 Autism Spectrum Quotient 

A more comprehensive version of the AQ-10, this test contains 50 questions and offers a more thorough self-assessment with more to think on for the person taking it. 

The page offering the test has noted that some questions are based on outdated assumptions, that some wording can be ambiguous, and that the questions should be treated as binary because “slightly agree” and “slightly disagree” modify the score in the same way as “definitely agree” and “definitely disagree.” While there are plenty of other tests worth taking that go more in depth, this can be another helpful starting point.

Link to the The Autism Spectrum Quotient 

This test represents another framework by which we can measure some traits that are associated with Autism. Like every other test linked here, this one has its flaws, and the author of the linked post even noted the remarkable difference in scores between her and her colleagues. 

She further explains that the scoring outcomes of the test are better understood as falling on a bell curve with standard deviations, and that the test is reasonably accurate, but that it still suffers from some outdated assumptions, ambiguous wording, and questions that outright do not contribute to the final score.

Link to the The Empathy Quotient

Do you feel like you might be Autistic, but wonder why nobody in your life would have noticed? One helpful point of perspective can come from the CAT-Q test, which focuses on measuring “social camouflaging behaviors” in Autistic adults. 

One idea behind the test is identifying how some Autistic people may avoid a diagnosis by means of masking. According to the page on which it is posted, CAT-Q goes a long way toward addressing some of the outdated terms and ideas associated with other tests on this list. 

They also note that it is a little more complicated than other tests and that there may be unnecessary duplication with some of the questions. While it may only cover one narrow component of a larger self-assessment process, it helps to offer a unique perspective that other tests and food for thought that other tests may not touch upon!

Link to the The Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire

This test stands out as focusing specifically on repetitive behaviors and for being noted by the page author as her “favorite test for autism” and that it is “respectful towards autistics.” It offers examples of discrete types of behavior commonly associated with Autism in a quick 20 question package. Checking whether you relate to some or all of the behaviors in this test can be an incredibly helpful indicator from a perspective that many other tests do not cover.

Link to The Adult Repetitive Behaviors Questionnaire-2 

We hope this post has offered a quick overview of just some of the self-assessments that are available through the Embrace Autism website and some inspiration as to which might be worth taking as part of a larger journey of self-reflection or self-discovery. If you would like to hear more comprehensive reviews of the many Autism assessments that are out there we would love to hear from you. Just drop us a line at hello@autismgrownup.com and let us know what you think!