Am I Autistic? Online Autism Quizzes Compared (and How Accurate They Are)
Written by Dror Arbel, a parent, not a clinician. Last reviewed October 2026.
Short answer: An online quiz cannot tell you whether you are autistic. The better ones (AQ-50, AQ-10, RAADS-R) are based on published research and can suggest whether a professional assessment is worth pursuing. Entertainment quizzes with “Autistic / Not autistic” results are not useful. Whatever you score, only a qualified clinician can diagnose autism.
Wondering “am I autistic?” is very common, especially for adults who were never assessed as children. Online quizzes are an easy first step, but they differ a lot in where their questions come from and what their scores mean. This guide compares the most popular options and explains what to do with your result.
Quick Comparison: Popular Online Autism Quizzes
| Quiz | Based on | Who it is for | Useful for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AQ-50 (Autism Spectrum Quotient) | Baron-Cohen et al., 2001 | Adults 16+ | A detailed look at traits across 5 areas; known cut-off (32+) | Many people with anxiety or ADHD also score high |
| AQ-10 | Allison et al., 2012 | Adults | A 10-question short screener (6+ suggests referral) | Missed many autistic adults in a clinic study (Ashwood 2016) |
| RAADS-R | Ritvo et al., 2011 | Adults | 80 questions, includes childhood and sensory items | Self-scored online; later studies found many false positives |
| CAT-Q | Hull et al., 2019 | Adults | Measures masking/camouflaging, not autism itself | No official diagnostic cut-off |
| IDRlabs Autism Spectrum Test | Researchers’ RBQ-2A work (per IDRlabs) | Adults | A profile across 10 areas | Not independently validated; no clear cut-off |
| Heywise Autism Spectrum Test | AQ (per Heywise) | Adults | Quick (about 4 minutes) | Third-party version; check how it scores |
| Psych Central Autism Quiz | Adapted from the ASSQ | Anyone | Fast, from a mental health publisher | The original ASSQ was built for parents and teachers rating children aged 7 to 16 (Ehlers et al., 1999) |
| TherapyByPro Autism Quiz | Adapted from the ASSQ | Anyone | 20 statements, 5 to 10 minutes | Same child-questionnaire origin as above |
| Free Quiz Games “Am I Autistic Quiz” | Not stated | Anyone | Nothing beyond curiosity | The site itself says it is “for fun only”; we do not recommend it |
Checked October 2026. Third-party quizzes can change without notice.
Which Quiz Should You Take?
- You want a quick first look: the AQ-10.
- You want more detail: the AQ-50 or the RAADS-R.
- You suspect you mask a lot: add the CAT-Q, since masking can lower scores on the other tests.
- You are asking about a toddler, not yourself: use the M-CHAT-R (16 to 30 months) and talk to your pediatrician.
How Accurate Are Online Autism Tests?
Research questionnaires such as the AQ and RAADS-R were tested in groups of people who already had (or clearly did not have) a diagnosis. In those studies they separate the groups fairly well. In real life, the people who take them are usually unsure, often anxious, and may have ADHD, depression or trauma. In a study of 476 adults referred to a UK diagnostic clinic, AQ scores were a poor predictor of who actually received an autism diagnosis (Ashwood et al., 2016).
So treat any score as a prompt to reflect, not an answer. High scores have many possible explanations, and low scores do not rule autism out, especially if you have spent years masking.
What To Do With Your Result
- Write down examples. Note specific situations from childhood and today: sensory issues, routines, social exhaustion, intense interests.
- Talk to your doctor or look for an adult autism assessment. Our guide on how to get tested for autism as an adult explains the options.
- Read about self-identification if a formal assessment is not possible right now: Autism self-diagnosis in adults.
- If you are struggling, you do not need to wait for a diagnosis to get support. In the US you can call or text 988 at any time.
Thinking about an adult autism assessment?
Clinicians will ask about your childhood, daily challenges and concrete examples, and it is easy to go blank in the room. The printable Pre-Assessment Checklist helps you write down what you have noticed, gather records and prepare your questions before the appointment.
Get the Pre-Assessment Checklist (PDF)
Instant download from 101Autism.com. A preparation tool, not a diagnostic test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an online quiz tell me if I am autistic?
No. Online quizzes are screening or self-reflection tools. They can suggest whether a professional assessment might be worth it, but only a qualified clinician can diagnose autism, using a developmental history, observation and DSM-5-TR or ICD-11 criteria.
Which online autism test is the most reliable?
For adults, the AQ-50, AQ-10 and RAADS-R come from published research, so their questions and cut-offs are known. That makes them more transparent than entertainment quizzes, but even these tools produce many false positives and false negatives in real clinic samples (Ashwood et al., 2016).
Why did I score high on an autism quiz?
High scores can reflect autistic traits, but anxiety, ADHD, social anxiety, depression, trauma and shyness can all raise scores too. A high score is a reason to look into it further, not a diagnosis.
I scored low but still think I might be autistic. What now?
Low scores do not rule autism out. People who mask or camouflage their traits, many women among them, can score lower than expected. If your daily experience still fits, it is reasonable to seek an assessment anyway.
Am I autistic or ADHD?
The two overlap a lot and often occur together. Quizzes cannot separate them reliably. A clinician who assesses both is the best route if you recognise yourself in each.
Sources
- Baron-Cohen S, et al. The Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ). J Autism Dev Disord. 2001;31(1):5-17. doi:10.1023/A:1005653411471
- Allison C, Auyeung B, Baron-Cohen S. Toward brief “Red Flags” for autism screening (AQ-10). J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2012;51(2):202-212. doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2011.11.003
- Ritvo RA, et al. The Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised (RAADS-R). J Autism Dev Disord. 2011;41(8):1076-1089. doi:10.1007/s10803-010-1133-5
- Ehlers S, Gillberg C, Wing L. A screening questionnaire for Asperger syndrome and other high-functioning autism spectrum disorders in school age children (ASSQ). J Autism Dev Disord. 1999;29(2):129-141. doi:10.1023/A:1023040610384
- Ashwood KL, et al. Predicting the diagnosis of autism in adults using the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) questionnaire. Psychol Med. 2016;46(12):2595-2604. doi:10.1017/S0033291716001082
- Hull L, et al. Development and validation of the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q). J Autism Dev Disord. 2019;49(3):819-833. doi:10.1007/s10803-018-3792-6
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