Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale — Revised (RAADS-R)
An 80-item measure to assist the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder in adults.
Last reviewed: May 2026
The RAADS-R was developed by Ritvo and colleagues to assist the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder in adults of normal intelligence. It measures autistic symptomatology across four subscales: Social Relatedness, Circumscribed Interests, Language, and Sensory/Motor.
Scoring & Interpretation
Each of the 80 items is scored from 0 to 3 using a developmental response set ("True now and when I was young", "True only now", "True only when I was younger than 16", "Never true"), giving a total range of 0 to 240. A subset of items is reverse scored so that, across all items, higher values indicate greater autistic symptomatology. Item scores sum to four subscale totals (Social Relatedness, Circumscribed Interests, Language, Sensory/Motor) and an overall total. The published clinical cut-off is a total of 65 or more, which Ritvo et al. (2011) reported as consistent with an autism spectrum diagnosis. The bands below add interpretive context above that cut-off; the dashboard computes the total, the four subscales, and the band automatically and presents them for clinician interpretation.
| Score Range | Severity | Clinical Action |
|---|---|---|
| 0-64 | Not Consistent | Below the autism cut-off of 65 - result not consistent with autism on this measure |
| 65-105 | Some Traits | At or above cut-off: some autistic traits - clinical judgement guides further assessment |
| 106-139 | Consistent | Overall consistent with autism - warrants comprehensive diagnostic assessment with developmental history |
| 140-240 | Pronounced | Strongly consistent with autism - warrants comprehensive diagnostic assessment with developmental history |
International validation study (Ritvo et al., 2011): at a total cut-off of 65, sensitivity was 97% and specificity 100% across 779 participants (201 with ASD, 578 comparison), with 98.5% diagnostic accuracy. Internal consistency by subscale (Cronbach's alpha): Social Relatedness 0.92, Circumscribed Interests 0.90, Sensory/Motor 0.91, Language 0.79. Test-retest reliability r = 0.99. The original cut-off performed strongly in the developers' validation sample; subsequent independent studies have reported lower specificity in routine clinical settings, so the total is best read alongside a full assessment rather than as a stand-alone test.
When to Use This vs Alternatives
Use AQ-10 when…
You need a brief 10-item first-pass screen at triage to decide whether a fuller measure like the RAADS-R is warranted.
View AQ-10 →Use CAT-Q when…
You suspect camouflaging is flattening the trait picture, particularly in adults assessed later in life. The CAT-Q measures the effort spent masking, complementing the RAADS-R trait profile.
View CAT-Q →Use ASRS when…
ADHD is part of the differential. The ASRS screens for adult ADHD symptoms, which commonly co-occur with autism and can account for some overlapping presentations.
View ASRS →See It in Action
- 1Total score out of 240 with a clear "at or above cut-off 65" indicator
- 2Four subscale bars: Social Relatedness, Circumscribed Interests, Language, Sensory-Motor
- 3Question responses grouped by subscale with the developmental response set scored 0-3
- 4One-click PDF export and email delivery for the clinical record
What It Measures
The RAADS-R was developed by Ritvo and colleagues to assist the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder in adults of normal intelligence. It measures autistic symptomatology across four subscales: Social Relatedness, Circumscribed Interests, Language, and Sensory/Motor. Each of the 80 items is rated on a developmental scale that distinguishes current traits from those present only in childhood, and a set of items is reverse scored so that higher totals reflect greater autistic symptomatology. The instrument was designed to be administered and reviewed by a clinician, not as a stand-alone self-test.
When to Use the RAADS-R
Use the RAADS-R when an adult presents with a query about autism and you need a structured symptom measure to inform a comprehensive diagnostic assessment. It is an assessment aid, not a diagnostic test on its own: a result at or above the cut-off supports proceeding to full diagnostic evaluation, including developmental history and corroborating information. The developmental wording of each item makes it useful for capturing lifelong patterns rather than current state alone. Pair it with a brief screener such as the AQ-10 at triage, and with a camouflaging measure where masking is suspected.
Who It's For
Adults aged 18 and over of normal intelligence (validation samples used an IQ of 80 or above). Validated against clinical diagnosis in an international study across community and clinical settings. The RAADS-R is intended to be completed in a clinical setting and reviewed with a clinician, so it is less suited to unsupervised remote screening. Self-report introduces the usual cautions: results can be affected by insight, under-reporting, or over-identification, and co-occurring conditions can elevate some items.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RAADS-R?
The RAADS-R (Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised) is an 80-item measure developed by Ritvo et al. (2011) to assist the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder in adults. It scores autistic symptomatology across four subscales: Social Relatedness, Circumscribed Interests, Language, and Sensory/Motor.
What is the RAADS-R cut-off for adults?
The published clinical cut-off is a total score of 65 or more, which Ritvo et al. (2011) reported as consistent with an autism spectrum diagnosis (sensitivity 97%, specificity 100% in their validation sample). A score below 65 is not consistent with autism on this measure.
Can the RAADS-R diagnose autism on its own?
No. The RAADS-R is an assessment aid, not a diagnostic test. A score at or above the cut-off supports proceeding to a comprehensive diagnostic assessment, including developmental history; the clinician makes the diagnosis.
How long does the RAADS-R take, and who is it for?
It takes most adults around 20 minutes to complete. It is intended for adults aged 18 and over of normal intelligence and is designed to be completed in a clinical setting and reviewed with a clinician.
Use the RAADS-R 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.