Adult Autism Tests

Getting diagnosed with autism as an adult can be daunting. If you’re considering pursuing a diagnosis, you probably already know resources for autistic adults are limited, especially when it comes to getting diagnosed. For many, self-screening tools fill a gap, providing some information when a formal assessment isn’t accessible.

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Self-assessments like the Autism Spectrum Quotient can’t offer a formal diagnosis, but they may serve as a valuable early step for individuals wondering if they’re autistic. Read on to see how a self-screening tool could be useful for you, as well as a few things to keep in mind about self-screening tests.

Getting assessed for autism can be intimidating—and often inaccessible. Self-assessment tools are popular ways to bridge the gap between uncertainty and diagnosis, allowing individuals to explore their traits on their own time. The RAADS-R is one screening tool that can help those wondering whether they might be autistic gain valuable insight and direction in lieu of a formal diagnosis.

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Masking is often credited for missed autism diagnoses, especially among autistic women and girls. Popular self-assessment tools like the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) have been criticized for not take camouflaging behaviors into account, and on average, autistic women and non-binary people score lower on the AQ than autistic men.

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The Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q) is a self-assessment tool specifically meant to assess for social camouflaging behaviors. Though it is not a formal diagnostic tool for autism, it can provide meaningful information for individuals wondering whether they might be autistic and considering getting assessed.