AQ-10 Scoring: What Your Adult Autism Screener Results Might Mean
- Ryan Burns
- 1 hour ago
- 8 min read
Last reviewed: 02/23/2026
Reviewed by: Dr. Kiesa Kelly
If you’re searching for aq-10 scoring because you’re trying to make sense of an adult autism screener result, you’re not alone. The AQ-10 is short, fast, and widely used, which also means it can feel oddly “too small” to hold something as big as your lived experience.
In this article, you’ll learn:
What the AQ-10 is designed to do (and what it can’t do)
How to think about “borderline” results without self-gaslighting
Why masking, anxiety, trauma, and ADHD overlap can shift your score
What a quality adult autism assessment usually includes
Practical next steps in Tennessee (including telehealth + in-person options)
The point of the AQ-10 (and what it’s not)
The Autism-Spectrum Quotient 10-item questionnaire (AQ-10) is a screening tool. Each item is worth 1 point, for a total score from 0 to 10. [3] It was created as a brief “red flag” measure to help decide whether someone should be offered a more comprehensive autism evaluation. At a cut-point of 6 on the adult AQ-10, the original validation study reported strong sensitivity and specificity in their study sample. [1]
The AQ-10 is also just 10 questions. It can’t fully capture nuance like lifelong compensation strategies, burnout, cultural factors, or how your support needs change in different environments.
🧭 Key takeaway: A screening score can be useful data, but it’s not a verdict about who you are or whether you “count” as autistic.
Screening vs diagnosing
A screener asks: “Is it worth taking a closer look?”
A diagnostic evaluation asks: “Do your experiences fit autism criteria across time, and what else might better explain them?”
NICE guidance for adults recommends considering the AQ-10 (for adults without a moderate/severe learning disability) and offering a comprehensive assessment if someone scores 6 or above, or if autism is still suspected based on clinical judgment and history. [2]
If you want to re-check your responses or see the aq-10 autism test questions in one place, you can use the ScienceWorks AQ-10 screening tool.
Why “borderline” results are common
“Borderline” typically means scores near the referral threshold (often 5–6). Borderline results are common because:
Traits are dimensional. Autistic traits show up on a spectrum, and brief tools chop that continuum into a tiny number of items.
Context matters. A person can endorse certain items strongly in one phase of life (high stress, burnout) and less in another.
Measurement is imperfect. Researchers have raised psychometric concerns about using the AQ-10 as a general “trait autism” measure outside its intended screening context. [4]
A score near the cutoff is not “proof it’s nothing.” It often means “this is complex and worth unpacking.”
Interpreting AQ-10 scoring without self-gaslighting
A common emotional trap is using a single number to invalidate a whole pattern:
“If my score is low, I must be making it up.”
“If my score is high, I must be autistic and nothing else matters.”
Both are understandable. Both are also oversimplifications.
Traits vs impairment (and why that distinction matters)
Two people can endorse the same AQ-10 items and have very different day-to-day impact.
Try pairing “traits” questions with “impact” questions:
Do these traits show up across multiple settings (work, home, relationships)?
What’s the cost (fatigue, burnout, conflict, shutdowns, missed opportunities)?
What adaptations are you already using (remote work, rigid routines, avoidance, scripts)?
Example:
Person A scores a 5. They function well at work, but only because they rehearse every meeting, eat the same safe foods, and crash for the rest of the day afterward.
Person B scores a 7. They also endorse social discomfort, but their biggest driver is a history of bullying and social anxiety that spikes in any group setting.
Both people deserve careful, non-judgmental assessment. The “right” next step isn’t determined by the number alone.
📌 Key takeaway: The most important question is often “What is this costing you?” not “Can I force myself into a yes/no box?”
Masking and learned scripts
Many adults (especially “high masking” adults) become experts at looking fine while working incredibly hard internally.
Masking, also called social camouflaging, can include:
Copying conversational rhythms or facial expressions
Building “if/then” scripts for small talk
Rehearsing jokes, anecdotes, or responses
Forcing eye contact, posture, or tone that doesn’t feel natural
Research describes camouflaging as common in autistic adults and potentially relevant to delayed recognition and mental health strain. [5,11]
🧠 Key takeaway: If you’ve learned scripts that help you pass, the AQ-10 may underestimate how much effort social life takes.
Common reasons AQ-10 results can be misleading
A screener can be “right” on paper and still miss the real story.
Anxiety, trauma history, ADHD overlap
Several experiences can look like autism on a short questionnaire, especially when stress is high:
Anxiety and depression: These are common in autistic adults, and symptoms can also intensify social withdrawal, rigidity, or sensory overwhelm. [7]
Trauma and chronic threat responses: Hypervigilance, shutdowns, avoidance, and flattened affect can overlap with autistic features, making differential diagnosis important. [8]
ADHD overlap (AuDHD): Autism and ADHD frequently co-occur, and ADHD can change how you interpret AQ-10 items (for example, distractibility vs sensory overwhelm, impulsive talk vs scripted talk). [9]
If you want a quick “compare points” snapshot, the ScienceWorks mental health screening library can help you see how different screeners fit together. For ADHD-specific context, see the ASRS ADHD screener.
🧩 Key takeaway: When anxiety, trauma, or ADHD is active, the AQ-10 can blur “why” you’re answering the way you are.
Gendered expectations and late diagnosis patterns
Many adults seeking an autism evaluation are late-identified. One reason is that social expectations (including gendered expectations) can shape what gets noticed and what gets overlooked.
Research on late-diagnosed women describes themes like “pretending to be normal,” being missed by professionals, and the social costs of camouflage. [6] Recent research also suggests that higher camouflaging can be linked with later age at diagnosis, particularly for women. [12]
Broader reviews also emphasize that sex/gender differences, diagnostic bias, and how criteria are operationalized may contribute to under-recognition, especially for people with subtler presentations. [10]
🌿 Key takeaway: “High masking” is not the same as “not impacted.” It can mean the impact has been hidden for years.
What a quality adult autism assessment includes
A strong adult evaluation does not hinge on a single self-report score. NICE guidance outlines that a comprehensive assessment should be done by trained professionals, be team-based where possible, use developmental history and informant information when available, and include direct observation and assessment for differential diagnoses and co-occurring conditions. [2]
A quality assessment often includes:
A detailed clinical interview (developmental history + current functioning)
Review of school/work history when available
Standardized measures selected for your presentation (not a one-size-fits-all battery)
Screening for co-occurring conditions (ADHD, anxiety, OCD, trauma, sleep issues, etc.)
Feedback that explains both the “why” and the “what now”
🧾 Key takeaway: Good assessments integrate history, observation, and differential diagnosis, not just an AQ-10 score.
Interview focus areas (development, sensory, social, burnout)
In adults, interviews often focus on patterns across time, including:
Childhood social experience (friendships, misunderstandings, “being different”)
Sensory profile (hyper- or hypo-sensitivities, routines, safe foods, clothing tolerance) [2]
Communication style (literal language, pragmatics, social energy, repair after misreads)
Repetitive behaviors or intense interests
Burnout patterns (skill regression under stress, loss of coping bandwidth)
If you’re exploring options, the ScienceWorks Psychological Assessments page outlines how we build customized adult autism and ADHD evaluations.
When AuDHD changes the picture
When autism and ADHD co-occur (often called AuDHD), you can see a blend of patterns that complicate screening:
Social differences + impulsive speech
Sensory sensitivity + novelty-seeking
Strong need for routine + difficulty maintaining routines
Because co-occurrence is common and clinically relevant, many adults benefit from a combined lens rather than an “either/or” approach. [9]
If executive function is the biggest day-to-day pain point (planning, starting tasks, sustaining routines), Executive Function Coaching can be a practical complement to assessment and therapy.
🔍 Key takeaway: If you suspect AuDHD, look for an evaluation that assesses both, instead of treating one as a “side note.”
Next steps for adults in Tennessee (telehealth + in-person components)
If you’re Googling “adult autism assessment near me” or “private autism assessment near me,” what you’re usually looking for is a process that feels thorough, respectful, and clear.
In Tennessee, many assessment practices offer hybrid models. Telehealth can work well for much of the history-taking and some standardized interviews, while some components (depending on the tools used and your goals) may be best completed in person.
What to expect from an autism evaluation
While the details vary by provider, many adult evaluations include steps like:
Initial consultation to clarify goals (self-understanding, accommodations, treatment planning)
Questionnaires/screeners completed on your schedule
Clinical interview(s) focused on development, sensory profile, social communication, and burnout
Differential diagnosis discussion (ADHD, anxiety, trauma, OCD, sleep, learning differences)
Feedback session with clear next steps and recommendations
Written report when needed for work/school accommodations or care coordination
If trauma history is part of your picture, it can help to work with clinicians comfortable with both neurodivergence and trauma-informed care. You can learn more about ScienceWorks trauma services.
Book an adult autism assessment (CTA)
If your AQ-10 raised questions (whether your score felt “high,” “low,” or “borderline”), a good next step is to bring your questions into a structured conversation.
Start with the AQ-10 screening tool if you haven’t taken it yet.
Explore how ScienceWorks approaches neurodiversity-affirming evaluations on our Psychological Assessments page.
When you’re ready, use our Contact page to schedule a consultation and talk through what kind of assessment would actually answer your questions.
About the Author
Dr. Kiesa Kelly is a Clinical Psychologist at ScienceWorks Behavioral Healthcare. She earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Neuropsychology and has 20+ years of experience with psychological assessment.
Her clinical work includes neurodiversity-affirming evaluations for ADHD and autism (including high masking presentations), as well as evidence-based therapy for OCD, trauma, and insomnia. Learn more about Dr. Kelly here.
References
Allison C, Auyeung B, Baron-Cohen S. Toward brief “red flags” for autism screening: The short Autism Spectrum Quotient and the short Quantitative Checklist in 1,000 cases and 3,000 controls [corrected]. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2012;51(2):202-212.e7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2011.11.003
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Autism spectrum disorder in adults: diagnosis and management (CG142) recommendations. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg142/chapter/recommendations
Autism Research Centre (University of Cambridge). Autism-Spectrum Quotient – 10 items (AQ-10) (Adult) (PDF). https://docs.autismresearchcentre.com/tests/AQ10.pdf
Taylor EC, Livingston LA, Clutterbuck RA, Shah P. Psychometric concerns with the 10-item Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ10) as a measure of trait autism in the general population. Experimental Results. 2020;1:e3. https://doi.org/10.1017/exp.2019.3
Hull L, Petrides KV, Mandy W, et al. “Putting on My Best Normal”: Social camouflaging in adults with autism spectrum conditions. J Autism Dev Disord. 2017;47(8):2519-2534. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3166-5
Bargiela S, Steward R, Mandy W. The experiences of late-diagnosed women with autism spectrum conditions: an investigation of the female autism phenotype. J Autism Dev Disord. 2016;46(10):3281-3294. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-016-2872-8
Hollocks MJ, Lerh JW, Magiati I, Meiser-Stedman R, Brugha TS. Anxiety and depression in adults with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychol Med. 2019;49(4):559-572. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291718002283
Beck KB, Adams C, Koenen KC. Trauma and social adversity in autism: considerations and directions for clinicians and researchers. Harv Rev Psychiatry. 2024. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11997697/
Hours C, Recasens C, Baleyte JM. ASD and ADHD comorbidity: what are we talking about? Front Psychiatry. 2022;13:837424. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8918663/
Lai MC, Lombardo MV, Baron-Cohen S. Sex/gender differences and autism: setting the scene for future research. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2015;54(1):11-24. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4284309/
Cook J, Hull L, Crane L, Mandy W. Camouflaging in autism: a systematic review. Clin Psychol Rev. 2021;89:102080. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2021.102080
Milner V, Colvert E, Hull L, et al. Does camouflaging predict age at autism diagnosis? A comparison of autistic men and women. Autism Res. 2024;17(3):626-636. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.3059
Disclaimer
This article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis, medical advice, or treatment. If you have concerns about autism, ADHD, trauma, anxiety, or any mental health symptoms, seek care from a qualified, licensed clinician.