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Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ)

Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ)
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Instructions: Choose one response that best describes how strongly each item applies to you

I prefer to do things with others rather than on my own
I prefer to do things the same way over and over again
If I try to imagine something, I find it very easy to create a picture in my mind
I frequently get so strongly absorbed in one thing that I lose sight of other things
I often notice small sounds when others do not
I usually notice car number plates or similar strings of information
Other people frequently tell me that what I’ve said is impolite, even though I think it is polite
When I’m reading a story, I can easily imagine what the characters might look like
I am fascinated by dates
In a social group, I can easily keep track of several different people’s conversations
I find social situations easy
I tend to notice details that others do not
I would rather go to a library than a party
I find making up stories easy
I find myself drawn more strongly to people than to things
I tend to have very strong interests, which I get upset about if I can’t pursue
I enjoy social chit-chat
When I talk, it isn’t always easy for others to get a word in edgeways
I am fascinated by numbers
When I’m reading a story, I find it difficult to work out the characters’ intentions
I don’t particularly enjoy reading fiction
I find it hard to make new friends
I notice patterns in things all the time
I would rather go to the theatre than a museum
It does not upset me if my daily routine is disturbed
I frequently find that I don’t know how to keep a conversation going
I find it easy to “read between the lines” when someone is talking to me
I usually concentrate more on the whole picture, rather than the small details
I am not very good at remembering phone numbers
I don’t usually notice small changes in a situation, or a person’s appearance
I know how to tell if someone listening to me is getting bored
I find it easy to do more than one thing at once
When I talk on the phone, I’m not sure when it’s my turn to speak
I enjoy doing things spontaneously
I am often the last to understand the point of a joke
I find it easy to work out what someone is thinking or feeling just by looking at their face
If there is an interruption, I can switch back to what I was doing very quickly
I am good at social chit-chat
People often tell me that I keep going on and on about the same thing
When I was young, I used to enjoy playing games involving pretending with other children
I like to collect information about categories of things (e.g. types of car, types of bird, types of train, types of plant, etc.)
I find it difficult to imagine what it would be like to be someone else
I like to plan any activities I participate in carefully
I enjoy social occasions
I find it difficult to work out people’s intentions
New situations make me anxious
I enjoy meeting new people
I am a good diplomat
I am not very good at remembering people’s date of birth
I find it very easy to play games with children that involve pretending

Developer Reference: Baron-Cohen, S., Wheelwright, S., Skinner, R., Martin, J., & Clubley, E. (2001). The autism-spectrum quotient (AQ): Evidence from asperger syndrome/high-functioning autism, males and females, scientists and mathematicians. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 31(1), 5-17.