Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ-10)
Score the AQ-10, the brief, NICE-recommended screening version of the Autism Spectrum Quotient for adults. Ten items, shown in full, with an AI prompt to score de-identified responses and apply the cut-off.
What it measures
The AQ-10 is a ten-item screening questionnaire drawn from the longer 50-item Autism Spectrum Quotient. It is recommended by NICE as a quick first step when autism is a possibility in adults with average or above-average intelligence.
It is a screen, not a diagnostic tool. A score at or above the cut-off suggests that a full diagnostic assessment may be warranted; it does not, on its own, indicate autism.
Getting the AQ-10
The ARC makes the AQ-10 free for non-commercial research and clinical use, and states that commercial use of these tests violates copyright legislation. Commercial users must license it through Mapi Research Trust. A clinician may use it free of charge in their own practice; ElloMind, as a company, may not republish it.
Download the AQ-10 free from the Autism Research Centre
Rights held by Autism Research Centre, University of Cambridge. The guidance below describes how the AQ-10 is administered and interpreted so you can use your licensed copy well.
Scoring and interpretation
The client marks how much they agree with each statement. Each item scores one point in the autism-consistent direction; the AI prompt handles which items score for agreement and which for disagreement. The total ranges from 0 to 10.
A score of 6 or more is the usual threshold to consider referral for a full autism assessment. Use it as a prompt for further assessment, never as a diagnosis.
| Score | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| 0–5 | Below the referral threshold |
| 6+ | At or above the threshold — consider a full assessment |
A four-point agree/disagree response is collapsed to a single point per item. Items 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9 score for disagreement (the AI prompt applies these). A screen, not a diagnosis.
Use the score in your notes
Take the score into a de-identified write-up with one of the free AI tools.
Citation and sources
Allison, C., Auyeung, B., & Baron-Cohen, S. (2012). Toward brief 'red flags' for autism screening: the short Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ-10). Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 51(2), 202-212.
The AQ-10 is copyright of the Autism Research Centre, University of Cambridge. It is available free for non-commercial research and clinical use, but the ARC states that using these tests for commercial purposes violates copyright legislation; commercial users need a licence via Mapi Research Trust. ElloMind is a commercial organisation and holds no such licence, so the items are not reproduced here.
- Autism Spectrum Quotient (overview) — Wikipedia
Frequently asked questions
A score of 6 or more out of 10 is the usual threshold to consider referring an adult for a full autism assessment. It is a screening cut-off, not a diagnosis.
The AQ-10 is a ten-item short version of the 50-item Autism Spectrum Quotient, selected for screening. NICE recommends it as a quick first step.
No. It only flags whether a fuller diagnostic assessment may be warranted. Diagnosis requires a comprehensive evaluation by a qualified professional.
No. The prompt runs in your own AI assistant, and ElloMind never sees it. De-identify client information first.
A screening and rating aid for qualified professionals, not a diagnosis or a substitute for clinical judgement. Interpret every score within a full assessment. Never paste identifiable client data into a general AI assistant. If a client is in crisis, contact a crisis helpline right away.