Autism Spectrum Quotient – Brief (AQ-10)
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The AQ-10 is a brief 10-item autism trait screener developed as a shortened version of the full 50-item Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ). Its purpose is rapid identification of individuals who may benefit from a full autism assessment.
Each item reflects a high-discriminating question drawn from the original AQ domains: Social Skills, Communication, Attention Switching, Attention to Detail, and Imagination. Scores range from 0–10, with 6 or more recommended by NICE as the threshold for referral for a comprehensive autism assessment. The AQ-10 is not a diagnostic tool but serves as an efficient “red flag” screener suitable for busy clinical environments.
Type: Brief autistic-trait screener
Population: Adults (16+)
Length: 10 items
Format: Self-report
Completion Time: <2 minutes
At intake when autism is part of the presenting concern Once, unless a reassessment is clinically relevant Repeat only if self-awareness, symptoms, or masking patterns have meaningfully changed Not intended for routine monitoring
Foundational Context
The AQ-10 was developed by Allison, Auyeung, and Baron-Cohen (2012) through large-scale item-reduction analysis of the full AQ. Researchers identified the 10 questions with the strongest statistical discrimination between autistic and non-autistic adults. The tool targets adults with average or above-average intelligence and is intended for quick initial screening in primary care, mental health, and specialist referral pathways.
Despite its brevity, the AQ-10 retains strong predictive validity when applied for its intended purpose: deciding whether a referral for full autism assessment is warranted. It is widely used in clinical triage, neurodevelopmental services, and research settings where a rapid screen is required.
What the Assessment Measures
The AQ-10 measures core autistic traits, capturing difficulties or differences in:
- Social intuition and comfort
- Flexibility and attention switching
- Literal or detail-oriented thinking
- Communication and conversational nuance
- Imagination and perspective-taking
These items reflect the same cognitive–behavioral constructs as the 50-item AQ but in highly condensed form.
Interpretation Guidelines
The AQ-10 produces a single total score from 0 to 10.
Standard interpretation (aligned with NICE):
- 0–5: Below screening threshold
- ≥6: Positive screen; consider referral for comprehensive autism assessment
Interpretation Notes:
- A positive screen does not indicate autism; it signals that further evaluation may be appropriate
- A score below 6 does not rule out autism, especially in individuals who mask or compensate socially
- Cultural, linguistic, gendered, and neurodivergent presentation differences influence responses
- Should be reviewed alongside developmental history, functioning, sensory profile, and clinical interview data
Psychometric Properties
Reliability
- Good internal consistency for a very brief screener
- Strong item-level discrimination based on large normative and clinical samples
Validity
- High predictive validity for identifying individuals likely to meet autism criteria
- Strong correlation with full AQ scores in research samples
- Designed specifically to maximize referral accuracy, not diagnosis
Administration Considerations
- Ideal for primary care, community mental health, and diagnostic triage
- Best used early in assessment workflows
- Responses may be influenced by masking/camouflaging, anxiety, or social learning
- Not validated for individuals with intellectual disability or limited literacy
- Works well in combination with AQ-50, RAADS-R, or developmental history tools
Limitations
- Not diagnostic; cannot determine autism on its own
- Does not capture sensory experiences, camouflaging, burnout, or female-presenting autism profiles
- Binary scoring may oversimplify nuanced traits
- Very brief—can miss subtle presentations
Copyright
© Autism Research Centre, University of Cambridge. All rights reserved.
References
- Allison, C., Auyeung, B., & Baron-Cohen, S. (2012). Toward brief “Red Flags” for autism screening. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 51(2), 202–212. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2011.11.003
- Baron-Cohen, S., Wheelwright, S., Skinner, R., Martin, J., & Clubley, E. (2001). The Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ). Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 31(1), 5–17. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005653411471
- Autism Research Centre. (n.d.). AQ-10. https://www.autismresearchcentre.com/tests/aq10/
Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for diagnosis, clinical evaluation, or medical advice. The AQ-10 is a brief autism screener and should not be used to determine diagnosis or treatment. Interpretation should be performed by qualified professionals.
Permissions
The AQ-10 is developed by the Autism Research Centre at the University of Cambridge. It is freely available for non-commercial clinical and research use; reproduction of full item content requires acknowledgment and may require permission from ARC. Cite the original authors when referencing the scale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a score of 6 mean the person is autistic?
No. It simply meets the threshold for further assessment.
Can the AQ-10 be used on its own for diagnosis?
No. It is only a screener.
Does a low score rule out autism?
No. Masking, cultural factors, and atypical presentations can affect scores.
How does the AQ-10 differ from the AQ-50?
It contains the top 10 discriminating items; the full AQ offers a broader trait profile.
Should it be repeated over time?
Generally no—autistic traits are stable. Repeat only if clinical context significantly changes.
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