Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a state characterized by the predominance of closed inner life, isolation from the outside world, poverty of expression of emotions and a limited range of interests.
People with this disorder have trouble in establishing and maintaining relations with other people - it is difficult for them to take sincere interest in others, to maintain dialogue, to recognize non-verbal signals, to respond adequately to social interactions. In particularly severe cases, the disorder results in a complete lack of interest in contact with others.
Many people with this disorder are «obsessed» with studying one subject, which allows them to achieve good results in this field. For example, according to recent studies, among the winners of mathematical Olympics, the propensity for ASD is significantly higher than the average.
Today in the United States, about 1% of the population is affected to varying degrees.
In 2001, Simon Barron-Cohen and his colleagues at the Cambridge Autism Research Centre developed the Autism-Spectrum Quotient Test (AQ) questionnaire to measure ASD propensity. This test evaluates how strongly the traits associated with autism spectrum disorder are expressed.
Various studies suggest that a full questionnaire of 50 questions is more valid and reliable than a short version of 10 questions, so we provide you with an online version of the full AQ-50 questionnaire.
This test is intended for adults (16+) regardless of sex. Remember that this autism questionnaire is not a diagnostic tool and a high rate does not always indicate the presence of an autism spectrum disorder.
