AQ (Autism Quotient)
Baron-Cohen's autism quotient, in 50 questions.
What is it?
The AQ (Autism-Spectrum Quotient) was developed by Simon Baron-Cohen and his team at Cambridge. It is a 50-item self-report questionnaire measuring the presence of autistic traits in the general population.
It covers attention to detail, communication, imagination, social skills, and attention switching.
Why it is used
It is one of the best-known and most extensively studied screening tools. A high score (often around 32/50 or more) suggests that a more in-depth assessment would be worthwhile.
The AQ is widely used in research to characterise autistic traits along a continuum.
Its limits
The AQ is a screening tool, not a diagnostic test. False positives and false negatives occur, and the score should always be interpreted together with a professional.
This page is for informational purposes only. It does not replace the advice of a healthcare professional.