Do you think someone you know may be autistic?

Autism spectrum disorder, often just called autism, is typically diagnosed in younger children at 9, 18, and 30 months during well-child visits. But autism can be diagnosed in older children, adolescents, and adults.

We created this brief test to help you determine if someone you know — a friend, partner, spouse, or other loved one — may benefit from being screened or evaluated for autism.

This test will help measure if they have any autism-related traits based on your observations or their own self-assessment.

If you think someone you know may be autistic, consider talking with them about getting evaluated by a doctor or autism specialist, who can use a variety of screening tools and clinical observations to make an accurate diagnosis.

If you think some of these questions describe how you feel and behave, consider reaching out to your physician or family doctor who can refer you to a specialist for an evaluation, if needed.

Instructions

We created this screening tool to help you figure out if someone you know may benefit from being evaluated for autism by a healthcare professional or specialist.

Please take your time filling out the form as accurately, honestly, and completely as possible. All responses are confidential.

Please choose one of the following alternatives:

  • This is true or describes the person now and when they were younger.
  • This was true or describes the person only now.
  • This was true only when the person was younger (16 years or younger).
  • This was never true and never described the person.
Was this helpful?

When talking to someone, they have a hard time figuring out what that person is thinking or feeling.

True both now & when younger
True only now
True only when younger
Never true

Certain textures and fabrics that don't bother me or other people can sometimes bother them and feel offensive on their skin.

True both now & when younger
True only now
True only when younger
Never true

They have trouble working with others in group activities.

True both now & when younger
True only now
True only when younger
Never true

They have a hard time figuring out what others expect of them.

True both now & when younger
True only now
True only when younger
Never true

When hanging out socially, they don't know how to act.

True both now & when younger
True only now
True only when younger
Never true

They have no problem with social interactions.

True both now & when younger
True only now
True only when younger
Never true

Sometimes when they get overwhelmed by senses — sights, sounds, or even smells — they have to go into a quiet room alone to shut those senses down.

True both now & when younger
True only now
True only when younger
Never true

They prefer to be alone, instead of being out in social situations.

True both now & when younger
True only now
True only when younger
Never true

When we're talking or they're talking to someone else, they have a hard time figuring out when it's time to speak or time to listen.

True both now & when younger
True only now
True only when younger
Never true

If I'm vacuuming or people are talking too loud, they often cover their ears to block out the noises.

True both now & when younger
True only now
True only when younger
Never true

It's hard for them to read someone else's facial expressions and body language when they're talking to them.

True both now & when younger
True only now
True only when younger
Never true

They tend to focus more on the small details rather than the big picture.

True both now & when younger
True only now
True only when younger
Never true

At times, they take what someone says too literally, often missing what the person really means.

True both now & when younger
True only now
True only when younger
Never true

If they suddenly have to do things a new way, they get really upset.

True both now & when younger
True only now
True only when younger
Never true

They prefer a routine, have a hard time with change, and may seem inflexible at times.

True both now & when younger
True only now
True only when younger
Never true

They have a strong interest in a certain topic or object, often wanting to talk about it and having difficulty talking about anything else.

True both now & when younger
True only now
True only when younger
Never true

They sometimes rock back and forth, move their hands in a repetitive way, or other similar behaviors.

True both now & when younger
True only now
True only when younger
Never true

As a child, they lined up toys or played with objects in the same way over and over again.

True both now & when younger
True only now
True only when younger
Never true

At times, they repeat the same words or phrases over and over again, or they repeat phrases of others.

True both now & when younger
True only now
True only when younger
Never true

This online screening is not a diagnostic tool. Only a trained medical professional, like a doctor or mental health professional, can help you determine the next best steps for you.

This quiz can’t replace a clinical diagnosis. If you believe someone you know might have autism spectrum disorder or another condition after taking this test, consider reaching out to a qualified professional.

Want to know more? You can take a deeper dive into how autism is diagnosed here.