The cut-off score for the AQ is 26 (out of 50 total questions). A score of 26 or above indicates the presence of autistic traits. In addition, a score of 32 or higher indicates a strong presence of autistic traits. 80% of autistic individuals receive scores of 32 or above (as compared to 2% of controls).

Cut-off for AQ Scores

The Autism Quotient is one of the most commonly-used diagnostic tools in adults, with fifty questions relating to various diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder. 


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- Autism Quotient and Short Autism Quotient (AQ and AQ-10) 
- Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale–Revised (RAADS-R)
- Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q) 
- Repetitive Behaviours Questionnaire (RBQ-2A) 
- Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2), Module 4 

Screening and Diagnostic Tools for Adults

Baron-Cohen, S., Wheelwright, S., Skinner, R., Martin, J., & Clubley, E. (2001). The autism-spectrum quotient (AQ): evidence from Asperger syndrome/high-functioning autism, males and females, scientists and mathematicians. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 31(1), 5–17. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1005653411471 

The autism-spectrum quotient (AQ)

The RAADS-R is a diagnostic tool specifically geared toward identifying autistic individuals with a subclinical presentation. It nuances its grading scale by distinguishing between behaviors present in both adulthood and childhood, in adulthood only, and in childhood only. The RAADS-R has an especially high sensitivity, with 97% of autistic individuals being correctly identified by the inventory. 

RAADS-R

The CAT-Q is a diagnostic tool that measures how much an individual masks, or hides, autistic traits. It serves as a useful tool for identifying autistic individuals who are missed by other inventories due to the way that they mask. 

CAT-Q

The RBQ-2A is a diagnostic tool that measures the frequency of restrictive and repetitive behaviors, which is one of the key diagnostic criteria of autism spectrum disorder in the DSM-5. 

RBQ-2A 

The ADOS-2, Module 4 is one of the most frequently-used diagnostic tools for diagnosing adolescents and adults on the autism spectrum, involving a semi-structured interview between the evaluator and the person being evaluated. Its primary purpose is to assess a person’s social skills and to observe for any repetitive or restrictive behaviors. It is commonly used in conjunction with the ADI-R. 

ADOS-2, Module 4  

The shortened Autism Quotient (AQ-10) was created to speed up the screening process, containing only ten questions compared to the fifty questions in the original Autism Quotient. 

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