Hurdle

AQ-50 Adult Autism Trait Screening

screening

Digital administration of the AQ-50 adult screening questionnaire to quantify autistic traits and support specialist referral pathways when scores exceed published thresholds.

Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ-50) Adult Version

Clinical intent

This workflow supports digital administration of the AQ-50 in adults (age 16 years and older) to quantify autistic trait burden and support decisions about onward specialist autism assessment.

Target population

Adults and older adolescents (16+) in whom autism traits are suspected and where structured pre-assessment screening information would support triage.

Method of use

The AQ-50 is self-completed and uses four response options per item: "Definitely Agree", "Slightly Agree", "Slightly Disagree", and "Definitely Disagree".

Calculation

Each item contributes either 0 or 1 point. Total score range is 0 to 50.

  • For items 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12, 13, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 33, 35, 39, 41, 42, 43, 45, and 46, "Definitely Agree" or "Slightly Agree" scores 1 point.
  • For items 1, 3, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 34, 36, 37, 38, 40, 44, 47, 48, 49, and 50, "Slightly Disagree" or "Definitely Disagree" scores 1 point.

Clinical interpretation

Published thresholds include >=26 (broader screening threshold) and >=32 (higher clinical threshold). In Baron-Cohen et al. (2001), adults with AS/HFA had a mean AQ score of 35.8 (SD 6.5), with approximately 80% scoring 32 or higher, compared with 2% of controls. The AQ-50 is a screening tool and does not replace comprehensive specialist diagnostic assessment.

References

  1. Baron-Cohen S, Wheelwright S, Skinner R, Martin J, Clubley E. The Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ): Evidence from Asperger Syndrome/High-Functioning Autism, Males and Females, Scientists and Mathematicians. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 2001;31(1):5-17.
  2. Ashwood KL, Gillan N, Horder J, et al. Predicting the diagnosis of autism in adults using the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) questionnaire. Psychological Medicine. 2016;46(12):2595-2604.
  3. Autism Research Centre (University of Cambridge), AQ test documentation.

Pathway

Mini Map

Form preview

Interactive preview of the questionnaire. Not for clinical use. Responses are not stored.

AQ-50 Adult Autism Trait Screening Questionnaire
This questionnaire asks about social communication, attention, and behaviour traits. Please answer each question based on how you usually feel or behave.
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 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 chit-chat. 
When I talk, it isn`t always easy for others to get a word in edgeways. 
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 theatre than 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 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 chit-chat. 
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 car, types of bird, types of train, types of plant, etc.). 
I find it difficult to imagine what it would be like to be someone else. 
I like to plan any activities I participate in carefully. 
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.