Translate Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ)

Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ)

The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) is a widely used self-report questionnaire developed by Simon Baron-Cohen and researchers at the Cambridge Autism Research Centre. It was designed to measure autistic traits in adults with average or above-average intelligence.

The questionnaire explores everyday patterns related to communication, social interaction, imagination, attention to detail, flexibility, and personal interests. Rather than focusing on diagnosis alone, the AQ helps identify how strongly certain autism-spectrum traits may be present across different areas of daily life.

The AQ is commonly used in research, self-reflection, and preliminary screening settings. It provides a structured way to better understand thinking styles, social experiences, routines, sensory awareness, and attention patterns often associated with the autism spectrum.

Participants respond to each statement using a 4-point agreement scale ranging from “Definitely Agree” to “Definitely Disagree.” The questionnaire evaluates behavioral and cognitive traits commonly associated with autism-spectrum conditions.

- Social Skills measures comfort and confidence in social situations and relationships.
- Attention Switching measures flexibility, routine preference, and difficulty adapting to change.
- Attention to Detail measures focus on patterns, details, numbers, and sensory information.
- Communication measures conversational style, social understanding, and verbal interaction difficulties.
- Imagination measures creativity, pretend thinking, and the ability to understand perspectives and intentions.

This assessment is intended for educational, research, and self-reflection purposes only. Results are anonymous and should not be considered a clinical diagnosis or substitute for professional psychological evaluation.

Responses associated with autism-spectrum traits receive one point. Higher scores indicate stronger autism-spectrum related traits and behavioral patterns.

The AQ produces a total score ranging from 0 to 50:
0–15 = Very Low Autism Traits
16–25 = Low to Average Autism Traits
26–31 = Moderate Autism Traits
32+ = Elevated Autism Traits

The AQ is a screening and self-reflection tool and should not be used as a standalone diagnostic instrument.

I prefer to do things with others rather than on my own.

I prefer to do things the same way over and over again.

If I try to imagine something, I find it very easy to create a picture in my mind.

I frequently get so strongly absorbed in one thing that I lose sight of other things.

I often notice small sounds when others do not.

I usually notice car number plates or similar strings of information.

Other people frequently tell me that what I’ve said is impolite, even though I think it is polite.

When I’m reading a story, I can easily imagine what the characters might look like.

I am fascinated by dates.

In a social group, I can easily keep track of several different people’s conversations.

I find social situations easy.

I tend to notice details that others do not.

I would rather go to a library than to a party.

I find making up stories easy.

I find myself drawn more strongly to people than to things.

I tend to have very strong interests, which I get upset about if I can’t pursue.

I enjoy social chitchat.

When I talk, it isn’t always easy for others to get a word in edgewise.

I am fascinated by numbers.

When I’m reading a story, I find it difficult to work out the characters’ intentions.

I don’t particularly enjoy reading fiction.

I find it hard to make new friends.

I notice patterns in things all the time.

I would rather go to the theater than to a museum.

It does not upset me if my daily routine is disturbed.

I frequently find that I don’t know how to keep a conversation going.

I find it easy to “read between the lines” when someone is talking to me.

I usually concentrate more on the whole picture, rather than on the small details.

I am not very good at remembering phone numbers.

I don’t usually notice small changes in a situation or a person’s appearance.

I know how to tell if someone listening to me is getting bored.

I find it easy to do more than one thing at once.

When I talk on the phone, I’m not sure when it’s my turn to speak.

I enjoy doing things spontaneously.

I am often the last to understand the point of a joke.

I find it easy to work out what someone is thinking or feeling just by looking at their face.

If there is an interruption, I can switch back to what I was doing very quickly.

I am good at social chitchat.

People often tell me that I keep going on and on about the same thing.

When I was young, I used to enjoy playing games involving pretending with other children.

I like to collect information about categories of things (e.g., types of cars, birds, trains, plants).

I find it difficult to imagine what it would be like to be someone else.

I like to carefully plan any activities I participate in.

I enjoy social occasions.

I find it difficult to work out people’s intentions.

New situations make me anxious.

I enjoy meeting new people.

I am a good diplomat.

I am not very good at remembering people’s date of birth.

I find it very easy to play games with children that involve pretending.