Symptom Tests

[Self-Test] Autism Spectrum Disorder Symptoms in Adults

Could I have autism? What does autism spectrum disorder look like in adults? How do autism symptoms change with age? Am I autistic? Take this free autism test for adults and share the instant results with a health professional for evaluation.

By ADHD Editorial Board Medically reviewed by John Harrington, M.D. on November 16, 2019

Do I Have Autism?

Awareness of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has grown dramatically in recent years, which reflects both an increase in autism diagnoses and in the public’s understanding that, even late in life, an autism diagnosis can offer major benefits and relief. Still, symptoms of autism are still frequently misdiagnosed as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), mood disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and other related conditions — leading to poor treatment and lifelong challenges. If you recognize yourself or a loved one in the following descriptions of autism spectrum disorder, make an appointment with a health care professional to discuss an evaluation test for autism.

This free test was adapted from the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) designed to screen the possibility of ASD, and is for personal use only. This is not a diagnostic tool. An accurate diagnosis can only be made through clinical evaluation. This autism spectrum disorder test is for personal use only.

Do I Have Autism?

Awareness of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has grown dramatically in recent years, which reflects both an increase in autism diagnoses and in the public's understanding that, even late in life, an autism diagnosis can offer major benefits and relief. Still, symptoms of autism are still frequently misdiagnosed as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), mood disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and other related conditions — leading to poor treatment and lifelong challenges. If you recognize yourself or a loved one in the following descriptions of autism spectrum disorder, make an appointment with a health care professional to discuss an evaluation test for autism.

This free test was adapted from the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) designed to screen the possibility of ASD, and is for personal use only. This is not a diagnostic tool. An accurate diagnosis can only be made through clinical evaluation. This autism self-test is for personal use only.

Does your child try to copy what you do? (FOR EXAMPLE, wave bye-bye, clap, or make a funny noise when you do)
If you point at something across the room, does your child look at it?
Does your child show you things by bringing them to you or holding them up for you to see—not to get help, but just to share? (FOR EXAMPLE, showing you a flower, a stuffed animal, or a toy truck)
Does your child understand when you tell him or her to do something? (FOR EXAMPLE, if you don't point, can your child understand "put the book on the chair" or "bring me the blanket"?)
Does your child have an interest that takes up so much time that he or she does little else?
Does your child look you in the eye when you are talking to him or her, playing with him or her, or dressing him or her?
Does your child like to do things over and over again, in the same way all the time?
Does your child make unusual finger movements near his or her eyes? (FOR EXAMPLE, does your child wiggle his/her fingers close to his/her eyes?)
When I meet a person I like, I have a hard time establishing a meaningful, ongoing friendship with him or her.
Does your child point with one finger to show you something interesting? (FOR EXAMPLE, pointing to an airplane in the sky or a big truck in the road. This is different from your child pointing to ASK for something.)
Have you ever wondered if your child might be deaf?
Does your child try to get you to watch him or her? (FOR EXAMPLE, does your child look at you for praise, or say "look" or "watch me"?)
Does your child get upset by everyday noises? (FOR EXAMPLE, does your child scream or cry to noise such as a vacuum cleaner or loud music?)
Does your child have difficulty understanding the rules for polite behavior?
Does your child respond when you call his or her name? (FOR EXAMPLE, does he or she look up, talk or babble, or stop what he or she is doing when you call his or her name?)
If something new happens, does your child look at your face to see how you feel about it? (FOR EXAMPLE, if he or she hears a strange or funny noise, or sees a new toy, will he or she look at your face?)
Does your child appear to have an unusual memory for details?
When you smile at your child, does he or she smile back at you? 
Is your child interested in other children? (FOR EXAMPLE, does your child watch other children, smile at them, or go to them?)
Does your child appear to notice unusual details that others miss?
When I'm having a conversation with someone, I tend to look at the wall, her shoes, or anywhere but directly into her eyes.
If you turn your head to look at something, does your child look around to see what you are looking at?

(Optional) Would you like to receive your autism symptom test results — plus more helpful resources — via email from ADDitude?

Can’t see the autism self-test questions above? Click here to open this test in a new window.

Next Steps: Autism Spectrum Disorder In Adults

1. Take This Test: ADHD and ADD Symptoms in Adults
2. Read What Does Autism Look Like in Adults?
3. Take This Test: OCD in Adults
4. Take This Test: Executive Function Disorder in Adults
5. Take This Test: Inattentive ADHD Symptoms in Adults
6. Buy the eBook “9 Conditions Often Diagnosed with ADHD”
7. Listen to the Webinar: “Could I Be on the Autism Spectrum?”
8. Learn How to Treat Autism Spectrum Disorder

Updated on November 16, 2019

23 Related Links

  1. I’m confused about the wording of the last question. Being aware of minute details, like a person who has a different haircut, is, to my knowledge, a part of autism. I’m confused as to the wording of that question, because it makes it sound the opposite, as if being unaware of details is the trait being screened for.

  2. Also this test has reloaded three times now after I’ve completed it. I’m not sure if it’s my glitchy mobile hotspot or a problem with the test itself but its very annoying.

      1. The same thing happened to me. I took it only one time though. I won’t do it again, then it becomes manipulative. Get your tests right, authors. There’s no excuse for mistakes such as this in this type of self-test.

  3. I’ve been diagnosed twice and the only part of this quizz that applies to me is the fact that I’m uncomfortable maintaining eye contact when I’m tired and I’m often referred to as the book smart one among my family and peers. I loath math, and I only enjoy fiction when it comes to reading. Your questions seem based on bad stereotypes perpetuated by movies and the press. ASD is so vast with so many different traits that it’s impossible to break it down to a ten question quiz. I’m a part of a large network of women on the spectrum and many of us have amazing friendships, spouses, and families. Please stop feeding into the misconception that we are all loners who have no social skills or empathy. Just because we don’t often express ourselves as enthusiastically as many neurotypical people do does not mean that we don’t feel anything such as second hand embarrassment. While many of us prefer to be literal, we aren’t oblivious to different phrases. I thrive on sarcasm and have been told I’m quite punny at times. Please do your research more thoroughly before publishing quizzes like this that cause so much misunderstanding about our community. I could easily equate this quizz to saying “you might be a minority if you are affiliated with gang violence, live in the projects, or never graduated high school.”

    1. To USB-Port,
      I want to thank you for your response. Everything you described about yourself was really helpful to me. I took this (suboptimal) test because I am looking for help navigating this issue in relation to myself. I doubt you will ever respond since your comment was over a year and a half ago, nevertheless I’d like to ask if you have any recommendations for websites, books, general advice on adult autism. Thanks in advance if you actually do respond! 🙂

  4. Q10 is a incomplete question. I have a steel trap memory depending on the subject or information. So this “test” seems unscientific and too generic. Not exactly impressed.

  5. 59% but some questions are iffy. Like I talk to everyone about the same, which is TMI. I’m as friendly to co-workers as I am to friends at a party. Also, I’m not really good at math or music but I can build furniture from scratch without plans or training in wood working. I. Other words I’m mechanically inclined. I fix our appliances all the time, I just look at them and figure it out, never took electronics. I was diagnosed with ADHD but I have stimming, and sensory symptoms. I might not clear my throat in a library, but I catch myself singing of talking to myself. Unless ADHD and Autism over lap, why do I have stimming, I have a certain fabric I reach over and touch frequently, I’ve had since I was a kid, I used to suck my thumb while touching it, and that helped me feel calm, my dad threw it away cuz he wanted me to stop sucking my thumb. Thumb sucking comes up under stimming too. Luckily I had a spare. I need heavy blankets to sleep. Certain fabrics are too scratchy, and I’m weird about stuff being too tight. I’m very sensitive to artificial lighting and noise. My dad had noisie hobbies like model air planes and car restorations. He once honked the swings horn on the model T he restored while my mom was taking our photo sitting on it, I went hysterical. Blenders, food processors, vacuums, and saws all terrified me. I hate going to the dentist, I can’t stand the polishing at the end, the sound, vibration, texture, and taste are torture. I can’t make friends, I ended up being to gregarious. I actually just want people to like me,I don’t actually want to spend any time with them. What does this mean?

  6. I’m so tired of test after test revealing the same
    Results and SELLING the same products and solutions ADd
    ADD and ADHD folks are some of the most brilliant people areond yet no one offers scholarship programs or centers doing scientific testing to verify organic issues and offer only experiential solutions to their problems. It’s the same as psychiatric issues. Let’s not bother to measure neuro transmitters but only attempt to force the body to increase their presence when we have real replacement s available. Sorry to be so negative. Am surrounded by chaos and critical paperwork and organizing to do but no help. The DEA has forced providers to fear being doctors and keep experimenting with solutions they know work at least a little better than the unaffordable and mediocre behavioranle approaches. We are allowed to drink alcohol, use marajuana and finally other similar substances but continued to send time trying to get hyperactive and brilliant people to squeeze their overactive brains into a box. I’m not saying it doesn’t help only that it’s taking the long way around to a mediocre solution

  7. I have been diagnosed as autistic (I just took this quiz for fun, really – I’m on this site to find out about ADHD), I got 53% here, but WTF is with “it’s possible that you are suffering from some symptoms of autism spectrum disorder”???!! I am most certainly NOT “suffering” from being autistic!! There is nothing wrong with me and you DESPERATELY need to change the wording here! Being autistic isn’t something that is wrong with me, it is a different way of being, that is all, just like me being bisexual isn’t something that is wrong with me. I am no more “suffering” from symptoms of bisexuality than I am from symptoms of autism and the DSM needs to stop referring to it as a disorder! I am different, not wrong!

  8. I’ve never even considered autistic spectrum applying to myself. My 1st time even taking a quiz of this basis/nature and 1st time that I ever googled or liked into Autism for any reason, ever. Score:88%. The ‘best friend’ question I answered inaccurately, according to the quiz results. But I have always felt different, my entire life. I’m nearly 45 years of age now and I don’t even care about being in any friendship. I prefer to be alone. At times I even think that I was created and meant to be alone, because I never fit in, anywhere. Hate crowds, absolutely hate them. 2 concerts I attended, featured me out and both times I wandered off to be alone in a quieter environment, even though I loved the music/artists.I had people I considered best friends throughout childhood, but looking back… they never lasted and when I did have those bf eras, I made them habitual. As in they would be the only person I would interact with and typically would wanted to be alone in my time with them. Also I would be an introvert, even while being in their presence, often reading or drawing (which as an adult I realize that is more of an individual task). Could i really have this? I truly don’t know the 1st thing about it. What would they do, if I was diagnosed? I consider myself high functioning, if in fact I have this condition (I prefer to think of it more as a personality rather than condition). What type of doctor would I seek to further delve into this? How could I go 45 years and only now be pondering ASD? I’m a bit freaking out right now. Not in a bad way, more like ‘oh man, this all makes alot more sense’ way. I’ve been told I was ‘gifted’ throughout my younger years. Ace tests after not even studying ….or being present for teachings. Can gifted and autism be confused with each other? I definitely have issues with social interactions and fitting in.

    2. This is the exact process that I’m currently going thru, and feel Tyne same way! I am 40 years old, and raised an autistic boy with the future mother to my son, and now this makes more sense. Ty for writing this. You’re very brave. We’re gifted. I believe people with no mental disorder have a difficult time thinking multidimentionally. I am creative, I have read allot of books containing loads of inventors, musicians, artists, etc., that Jane mental “disabilities”. Ty, everyone is beautiful to someone :). God Bless you Kimmysown.
      Sincerely, Richard N.

  11. going through this test is the most painful thing i have ever tried to do, and this question i do not know how to answer
    I prefer to play individual games and sports like golfing, bicycling, or sailing. Team sports like baseball or basketball are not my thing.
    Very Often
    Often
    Sometimes
    Rarely
    Never

    as sports itself i cant deal with but games like board games and computers games i love and they only mention sports items but have the word games in the question, been suck for ever

  13. There are so many things wrong with this, but I just want to say, Why is this labeled and tagged as a self-test for ADULTS? when only two questions use “I”?? every other question is “Does your child” I couldn’t even take this test out of curiosity because it’s NOT A SELF-TEST. I don’t know if this is a glitch or what, but fix it. Or better yet, based off of all the other comments, just take it down.

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