Autism Spectrum Quotient — 10 items (AQ-10)
Brief autism case-finding measure for adults, recommended by NICE.
Last reviewed: May 2026
The AQ-10 is a 10-item short form of the 50-item Autism Spectrum Quotient, developed by Allison, Auyeung and Baron-Cohen at the Autism Research Centre, University of Cambridge (2012). It was created in direct response to NICE guidance (CG142) for a brief instrument that non-specialists could use to identify adults whose difficulties may reflect autism.
Scoring & Interpretation
Each of the 10 items is answered on a four-point scale (definitely agree, slightly agree, slightly disagree, definitely disagree) and scored 0 or 1 using the published key: items 1, 7, 8 and 10 score 1 point for an agree response, and items 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9 score 1 point for a disagree response. Whether the patient chose slightly or definitely makes no difference to the score. Points are summed for a total of 0 to 10. A total of 6 or more is the case-finding threshold at which a comprehensive autism assessment should be considered.
| Score Range | Severity | Clinical Action |
|---|---|---|
| 0-5 | Below threshold | Autism assessment may not be indicated on this screen alone; review against clinical judgement |
| 6-10 | Above threshold | Score of 6 or more: offer a comprehensive autism diagnostic assessment |
In the adult validation sample (Allison et al., 2012), a cut-off of 6 yielded sensitivity 0.88, specificity 0.91 and positive predictive value 0.85, with internal consistency above 0.85. These figures come from a referred autism sample against controls, so the positive predictive value will be lower in unselected populations; treat the AQ-10 as a screen and confirm any positive result with full diagnostic assessment.
When to Use This vs Alternatives
Use RAADS-R when…
A positive screen needs a fuller, structured symptom profile. The RAADS-R gives an 80-item account across four domains to inform a comprehensive diagnostic assessment, where the AQ-10 only triages who to refer.
View RAADS-R →Use CAT-Q when…
You suspect the patient masks heavily and a brief screen may understate the picture. The CAT-Q measures camouflaging effort, which can explain a low AQ-10 in someone who works hard to appear non-autistic.
View CAT-Q →Use ASRS when…
ADHD is the more likely explanation, or you want to screen the two in parallel. The ASRS samples adult ADHD symptoms, where the AQ-10 samples autistic traits; running both helps map a mixed neurodevelopmental presentation.
View ASRS →See It in Action
- 1Total score out of 10 with an Above threshold referral badge at 6 or more
- 2Threshold meter marking the NICE case-finding cut-off of 6
- 3Verbatim items with agree or disagree responses scored 0 or 1 per the published key
- 4One-click PDF export and email delivery
What It Measures
The AQ-10 is a 10-item short form of the 50-item Autism Spectrum Quotient, developed by Allison, Auyeung and Baron-Cohen at the Autism Research Centre, University of Cambridge (2012). It was created in direct response to NICE guidance (CG142) for a brief instrument that non-specialists could use to identify adults whose difficulties may reflect autism. The items sample autistic traits across social communication, attention switching, attention to detail, and imagination. It is a case-finding screen designed to flag who should be offered a comprehensive diagnostic assessment, not to measure trait severity.
When to Use the AQ-10
Use the AQ-10 as a first-line screen when an adult presents with possible autism and does not have a moderate or severe intellectual disability. It is well suited to primary care and intake, where a two-minute measure can indicate whether a referral for full diagnostic assessment is warranted. It is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument: a positive screen prompts further assessment, and a negative screen does not exclude autism where clinical suspicion remains.
Who It's For
Adults aged 16 and over. Self-report, validated in clinical and research samples. NICE recommends against using the AQ-10 with adults who have a moderate or severe intellectual disability. As a brief screen it is sensitive to response style and reading comprehension, so corroborate borderline results with clinical interview and developmental history rather than relying on the total alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the AQ-10?
The AQ-10 is a 10-item short form of the Autism Spectrum Quotient developed at the University of Cambridge Autism Research Centre (Allison et al., 2012). It is a brief self-report screen for autistic traits in adults, designed to indicate who should be offered a fuller diagnostic assessment.
What AQ-10 score indicates a referral?
A total of 6 or more out of 10 is the threshold at which NICE recommends offering a comprehensive autism diagnostic assessment. The score supports, but does not replace, the psychologist’s judgement about whether to refer.
Is the AQ-10 diagnostic?
No. The AQ-10 is a screening measure, not a diagnostic instrument. A score at or above the threshold suggests a comprehensive assessment should be considered, and a negative screen does not rule out autism where clinical suspicion remains.
How does the AQ-10 compare to the full AQ and the RAADS-R?
The AQ-10 is a brief triage screen drawn from the 50-item AQ, while the full AQ and the 80-item RAADS-R give a more detailed trait profile. A positive AQ-10 is typically followed by a longer measure and structured assessment rather than treated as a result in itself.
Use the AQ-10 in your practice
Available on the Free plan. No credit card required. Patients complete it on their phone or computer. Scored the moment they hit submit.