A conversation that moves quickly, an unexpected change of plan, or a room full of competing sounds can feel very different from one person to another. The Autism Spectrum Test offers a structured way to reflect on communication, routines, interests, sensory experiences, and everyday habits. You can answer for yourself or choose a version about a child.
The questionnaire and basic information are free. Choose the version that fits your situation, read each statement carefully, and answer from ordinary experience rather than trying to produce a particular result.
Which version should you choose?
The adult version contains 76 questions and asks about your own experiences. Its statements span social interaction, preferences, routines, and other aspects of everyday life. Allow roughly 15–20 minutes, depending on how much time you need to consider your answers. This is an estimate, not a time limit.
The child and teenager version contains 30 questions. An adult who knows the child well answers from observation. Think about familiar settings as well as new ones, and avoid assuming what the child feels when you have only seen their behaviour.
The toddler version contains 25 questions. Its existing age guidance is 16–36 months. It asks about early communication, shared attention, play, and responses to people and surroundings. The two child versions generally take less time than the adult version; leave room to think about concrete examples.
Look at patterns, not isolated moments
Autism involves differences in social communication and patterns of behaviour, interests, or sensory experience. Those experiences vary between people; a preference for quiet or a dislike of small talk alone does not tell the whole story. The NIMH overview of autism explains this variation.
Consider a group conversation. Following several speakers at once may be tiring, while talking one-to-one about a familiar interest may feel comfortable. Those two experiences can coexist. When answering, consider the situation described rather than choosing a broad label such as “good” or “bad” at conversation.
Consider a change of plan. You might manage a small alteration easily but need extra preparation when a routine changes without warning. Notice whether a difficulty is about unpredictability, competing demands, or the particular setting. This helps you choose an answer that reflects your experience.
For a child, notice how they communicate enjoyment or ask for help during ordinary play. A quiet observation alongside an adult can look different from play in a busy group. Recording what happened is more useful than comparing the child with an imagined “typical” child.
How to answer thoughtfully
- Read the response scale each time. Statements and response choices vary between versions and questions.
- Use the period stated in the question. Some items ask about a recent period; others ask about usual preferences or behaviour.
- Separate frequency from effort. Doing something often does not always mean it feels easy.
- Use observations for a child. Think of what you have seen repeatedly, and take time with items that are harder to judge.
- Avoid searching for the “right” answer. The useful answer is the one closest to the situation being described.
A simple way to make your observations useful
Choose one situation that stood out and write down three things: what was happening, what felt comfortable or difficult, and what helped. For example: “The gathering was noisy; following conversation took effort; moving to a quieter corner helped.” This records a practical need without turning a single moment into a conclusion about your whole personality.
For a child, try the same approach with play, transitions, or communication. If something happens across several settings, note that too. If it happens only in one setting, describe what is different there. The CDC guide to developmental monitoring explains why observations over time and conversations with caregivers are useful.
The questionnaire uses Mind Indicator’s own presentation and interpretation rules. The background sources explain the topic; they do not establish validation of this particular online version. When difficulties persist or a child's development worries you, you can bring concrete observations to an appropriate professional rather than relying on a questionnaire alone.
Common questions before you begin
Should an adult answer the child versions?
Yes. Choose the child or toddler version and answer about a child you know well. The adult version is for describing your own experiences.
What if my experiences depend on the setting?
That is worth noticing. Read the situation and time period in the item, then choose the closest available response. Keep a separate example of the context if you want to reflect on it afterwards.
Do I need to finish quickly?
No. The reading-time estimate is there to help you plan. Take enough time to understand each item; speed is not the aim.
What is available after finishing?
The test and basic information are free. If you want to explore the written interpretation further, an expanded report is available as an optional paid addition.
