Online autism tests are multiple-choice or true-false tests that help determine if someone exhibits symptoms of autism. The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) test is popular and a score of 32 or higher suggests a high likelihood of autism. However, a high score does not definitively indicate autism and further psychiatric evaluation is needed for a correct diagnosis. These tests can be helpful for those who suspect they have autism, as it can indicate the presence and severity of symptoms.
An online autism test is usually a simple multiple-choice or true-false test that can help someone determine whether they might be exhibiting some of the symptoms of an autism spectrum disorder. An online autism test may ask about specific and common symptoms of autism spectrum disorders, such as “I’m fascinated by numbers” or “I enjoy social situations.” Some tests require a true or false answer, while others ask participants to rate their levels of agreement with each statement. Psychiatrists typically stress that these online tests are not meant to offer a definitive diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder. Instead, they are usually best used to help an individual determine whether she should seek psychiatric treatment for an autism spectrum disorder.
Simon-Baron Cohen, a psychologist at the Autism Research Center at the University of Cambridge, is credited with developing the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) test. This test is among the most popular online autism tests. It offers a list of 50 statements and asks the candidate to rate their level of agreement with each question.
A person who does not suffer from autism spectrum disorders will score an average of about 16 points on this test. It is believed that people who score 32 points or higher are highly likely to suffer from an autism spectrum disorder. About 80% of those with high scores on the AQ test are later diagnosed with some form of autism.
Most psychiatric experts believe that a high score on the AQ test does not definitively indicate autism. Many people who score high on an online autism test are subsequently shown to enjoy normal social function. This appears to be true even when the patients in question exhibit multiple marked symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. Sometimes the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder are very similar to those of other mental disorders, such as OCD or attention deficit disorder. Further psychiatric evaluation is usually needed to make a correct and definitive diagnosis.
However, online autism pretests can be helpful for those who believe they may have an autism spectrum disorder. Autism spectrum disorders, such as Asperger’s syndrome, are often difficult to diagnose. People who have these disorders are often very efficient and may appear mentally healthy, if a little strange, to others. An online autism test can indicate the presence of symptoms of autism spectrum disorder and can also give some indication of the severity of those symptoms.
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