Autism Quotient (AQ)

The Autism Quotient (AQ) test is a self-administered questionnaire designed to measure the extent of autistic traits in individuals. Developed by Simon Baron-Cohen and his colleagues at the Autism Research Centre at the University of Cambridge in 2001, the AQ test consists of 50 questions that assess five different areas commonly associated with autism: social skills, communication skills, imagination, attention to detail, and attention switching/tolerance of change. Each question is scored on a scale that reflects the degree to which the respondent exhibits traits typically associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The AQ test is not a diagnostic tool but rather a screening instrument that can indicate whether further evaluation for autism might be warranted. It is commonly used in both research settings and clinical practice to identify individuals who may benefit from a more comprehensive assessment of their social and communication abilities.