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Autism test for adults

The RAADS-R is an internationally recognized screening tool for autism in adults. 80 questions. Completely anonymous. No data is stored.

Am I on the autism spectrum?

Autism in adults often looks different from what most people imagine. It is not necessarily about avoiding eye contact or having difficulty talking to others. For many adults, it is about a fundamentally different way of experiencing the world: constant processing of sensory input, a need for predictability, intense interests, and a feeling of having played a role your entire life.

Many adults only discover autism later in life because they have learned to camouflage their traits. Women and people with high intelligence in particular are underdiagnosed because they have adapted to others' expectations so thoroughly that those around them don't notice.

Autism is not a disease. It is an innate neurological variation in how the brain processes information, sensory input, and social signals. An assessment is not about finding something wrong, but about understanding yourself better.

Who is this test for?

Adults aged 18 and over who have a sense that they may be autistic. The test can help you put words to your experiences before you decide on a next step.

The test is also relevant if others have told you that you "might be on the spectrum", or if you recognize yourself in descriptions of autism in adults.

What is the RAADS-R?

The RAADS-R (Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised) was developed by Professor Riva Ariella Ritvo at Yale University. It is one of the most widely used self-report questionnaires for autism screening in adults and has been validated in a Danish population.

The test has 80 statements across four subscales: social relatedness, language, sensory/motor, and circumscribed interests. You respond based on how the statement applies to you — both today and when you were young. Total score ranges from 0 to 240, with a screening threshold of 65.

How accurate is this test?

The RAADS-R has a sensitivity of 97% and a specificity of 100% in the original validation study (Ritvo et al., 2011). This means the test identifies nearly everyone with autism, and no one in the control group scored above the threshold.

No screening test can diagnose autism. The RAADS-R can help you articulate your experiences, but it is not a prerequisite for seeking an assessment. A full assessment uses different tools: ADOS-2 observation, clinical interview, developmental history, and self-report measures.

Take the test

80questions
20mduration
used clinically in DK

Your answers are not saved and are not sent to any server. Everything is processed locally in your browser.

How to take the test

  • For each statement: choose the answer that best describes you — both now and in your childhood/youth.
  • "True now and when I was young" — you've always felt this way. "True only now" — it started in adulthood.
  • There are no right or wrong answers. Respond honestly — the test works best when you don't overthink.
  • The test covers four areas: social relationships, language, sensory/motor, and special interests.
0 of 80 answeredPage 1 of 8

1.I am a sympathetic person.

2.I often use words and phrases from movies and television in conversations.

3.I am often surprised when others tell me I have been rude.

4.Sometimes I talk too loudly or too softly, and I am not aware of it.

5.I often don't know how to act in social situations.

6.I can "put myself in other people's shoes."

7.I have a hard time figuring out what some phrases mean, like "you are the apple of my eye."

8.I only like to talk to people who share my special interests.

9.I focus on details rather than the overall idea.

10.I always notice how food feels in my mouth. This is more important to me than how it tastes.

Understanding your score

Total score

Below 65

Your answers fall below the screening threshold. This does not necessarily mean you are not autistic. Some people score low because they have learned to camouflage their traits over many years. If you still recognize yourself in the descriptions, a clinical assessment can provide clarity.

65–129

Your answers are consistent with autism. This is not a diagnosis, but it may confirm what you have already been feeling. Many choose to take the next step with a clinical assessment.

130+

A score in this range strongly suggests autistic traits. The average for adults with an autism diagnosis is 134. A clinical assessment can give you a formal diagnosis and an individual support plan.

The four subscales

In addition to your total score, the RAADS-R shows how your traits are distributed across four dimensions. It is normal to score high in some areas and low in others.

Social Relatedness

Empathy, friendships, social cues and norms. Max 117.

Language

Literal understanding, metaphors, small talk. Max 21.

Sensory/Motor

Sensitivity to sound, light, textures, coordination. Max 60.

Circumscribed Interests

Intense interests, need for routine, detail focus. Max 42.

Research averages

GroupAverageRange
Adults with autism diagnosis134 / 24044\u2013227
Autistic women138 / 240\u2014
Autistic men130 / 240\u2014
Non-autistic adults28 / 2400\u201365

Ritvo et al. (2011), Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 41(8), 1076\u20131089.

Note: Some adults with confirmed autism score as low as 44. Screening tests identify patterns, not individuals.

Frequently asked questions about the autism test

Can an online test diagnose autism?+

No. The RAADS-R is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. An autism diagnosis requires a thorough clinical assessment including clinical interview, ADOS-2 observation, and developmental history. A screening can be a helpful first step, but many people also book an assessment without having taken a test first.

What is the difference between autism and Asperger's syndrome?+

Asperger's syndrome is the older term for what is now called autism spectrum disorder (ASD) without intellectual disability. Since DSM-5 (2013), Asperger's is no longer used as a separate diagnosis. The RAADS-R covers the entire spectrum.

What should I do if I score above 65?+

A score above 65 may confirm what you have already been feeling. You can book an assessment directly at Alethia — no referral is needed. The assessment uses different tools than this screening, including ADOS-2 and clinical interview.

What if I score below 65 but still think I am autistic?+

Screening tests are not perfect. Some people with autism score low because they have learned to camouflage their traits over many years. Women and late-diagnosed adults in particular may score lower than expected. If you recognize yourself in the descriptions, a clinical assessment is always an option. You can also try our camouflaging test (CAT-Q).

Is the test anonymous?+

Yes. Your answers are processed entirely in your browser. Nothing is sent to a server, and nothing is stored. We cannot see your result.

Can autism first be discovered in adulthood?+

Autism is innate, but many adults are only diagnosed later in life. Women and people with high intelligence in particular have often developed strategies to compensate for or hide their autistic traits. This does not mean the autism is new — it has simply been hidden.

What do the four subscales measure?+

The RAADS-R covers four dimensions: Social relatedness (empathy, friendships, social cues), Language (literal understanding, metaphors, small talk), Sensory/motor (sensitivity to sound, light, textures, coordination), and Circumscribed interests (intense interests, need for routine, detail focus). You receive a score for each area.

Who created this test?+

The RAADS-R was developed by Professor Riva Ariella Ritvo at Yale University and published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders in 2011. The test has been validated internationally, including in a Danish population, and is routinely used in the Danish healthcare system.

Sources

  1. Ritvo RA, Ritvo ER, Guthrie D, et al. (2011). The Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised (RAADS-R): A Scale to Assist the Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Adults. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 41(8), 1076\u20131089.
  2. Ritvo RA, Ritvo ER, Guthrie D, et al. (2008). A scale to assist the diagnosis of autism and Asperger's disorder in adults (RAADS): A pilot study. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38, 213\u2013223.
  3. Danish Health Authority (2021). National clinical guideline for assessment and treatment of autism spectrum disorders in adults.

Ready for the next step?

Regardless of your score, you are welcome to book an assessment. No referral is needed, and the wait time is short.

By Markus Lien, clinical psychologist · Updated March 2026