How Adults Can Get Tested for Autism

Self-exams and online evaluations are available for adults to get tested for autism, but a diagnosis of adult autism can only be made by a qualified healthcare professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist.

While most people are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as children, traits of adult autism are being identified later in life as the condition is better understood. In some cases, the communication difficulties and behaviors previously mistaken for other disorders are recognized as autism traits.

Signs of Adult Autism

Adults diagnosed with autism are likely to:

• Have traits associated with low support needs: They generally have masked their autism traits due to higher function among their neurotypical peers at work or school, or in their personal relationships. This is known as level 1 autism.
• Experience mild social communication challenges: These traits involve how you interact with other people. They also include how you process social cues.
• Have issues with high or low sensory responses to light, sound, smell, touch, and taste and do not like being touched or hugged: You may have "autistic meltdowns" and become frustrated and upset when overwhelmed by sensory situations.

With these traits, it's possible to be an autistic adult with low support needs and not know it. Some people may only suspect autism in themselves after an autistic child is diagnosed, and they notice similarities between their child's traits, behaviors, or feelings, and their own patterns.

Anxiety and Autism

Symptoms of an anxiety disorder often coexist in autistic people. This is especially common in autistic females, whose autism traits may be overlooked or misdiagnosed for a long time.

Self-Screening Autism Tests for Adults

Self-screening tools for ASD are questionnaires you can take yourself. Most are available online at no cost. They can't confirm an autism diagnosis but they can help you decide if you should see a professional to be formally evaluated. These tests include:

• AQ-10: The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ-10) is a 10-question screening tool adapted from a much longer questionnaire called the Autism Spectrum Quotient. The AQ-10 is a very popular screening tool, but note that some research shows this shorter version may not be the most reliable way to identify a person's autism. The AQ-10 test is available online.
• RBQ-2A: The Adult Repetitive Behaviours Questionnaire-2 (RBQ-2A) is a 20-item questionnaire focused on repetitive behaviors. This refers to intensely focused interests, or actions repeated over and over, like switching lights on and off. It's been found to be a highly effective screening tool for autism. The RBQ-2A also is available online.
• ASBQ: The 44 questions in the Adult Social Behavior Questionnaire (ASBQ) tool focus on a wide range of aspects of autism in adults. It's especially effective for identifying autism with low support needs. It can be used as a self-test and to evaluate someone else.
  

Sample Questions

Examples of online test questions include:

• Do you prefer to do things the same way over and over again?
• Do you tend to notice details that others do not?
• Do you tend to have very strong interests and get upset if you can't pursue them?
• Are you fascinated by dates or numbers?
• When you talk, is it hard for others to get a word in?
• Do you fiddle with items? (spin, twiddle, bang, tap, twist, or flick anything repeatedly)
• Do you play the same music, game, or video, or read the same book over and over again?

Professional Autism Tests for Adults

Professional autism tests are required for adults to receive an autism diagnosis. Medical professionals trained to identify masking behaviors are best equipped to assess adults. If you notice traits that could be autism-related, contact a professional for an autism test.

These tests can include the following:

• ADOS-2: The ADOS-2 is the gold standard for diagnosing autism in people of all ages. Module 4 is used specifically for adults and is not a questionnaire. Instead, the professional administering the test will observe how you respond to certain prompts. They evaluate both what you say and how you behave.
• 3Di-Adult: The Developmental, Dimensional, and Diagnostic Interview-Adult Version (3Di-Adult) is a standard tool for diagnosing adult autism focuses on how you communicate and interact in social situations. It also looks for intensely focused interests, such as an obsession with a particular object, and certain behaviors.
• SRS: The Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) is a 65-question test that assesses social challenges and is often used as part of a comprehensive battery of tests used to diagnose autism.
• ADI-R: Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) test focuses on the three main areas affected by autism: language and communication, social interaction, and repetitive behaviors or interests. There are 93 questions in the ADI-R.
  

Could It Be Asperger's Syndrome?

Asperger's syndrome was once considered a separate autism-like disorder. However, in 2013, it was folded under the umbrella diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the DSM-5. Today, what was once called Asperger's is often called autism with low support needs.

The traits include:

• Single-minded focus on a single interest
• Preferring repetition and routine (and not responding well to change)
• Missing social cues in play and conversation
• Not making eye contact with peers and adults
• Experiencing difficulty with abstract thinking
  

How Autism Is Diagnosed

In adults, autism can look a lot like other developmental or psychiatric disorders. These often need to be ruled out through the differential diagnosis process. For example, autism can most easily be mistaken for social communication disorder (SCD). People with SCD struggle with using words and language that match the social context and conversation.

Research has also found it's not uncommon for someone to have a co-occurring psychiatric disorder along with ASD. For example, a 2019 meta-analysis found that among autistic adults with another diagnosis:

• 28% had attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• 20% had an anxiety disorder
• 12% had disruptive/impulse-control/conduct disorders
• 11% had depression
• 9% had obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• 5% had bipolar disorder
• 4% had schizophrenia disorder
  

A healthcare provider may consider various additional tests and evaluations depending on what other disorders they suspect.

Diagnosing Autism in Children

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) calls for autism screenings at 18 months and 24 months of age. Many pediatricians begin observing children during well-care visits to ensure they meet developmental milestones. The Screening Tool for Autism in Toddlers & Young Children (STAT) is a common evaluation tool.

Finding Support for Autism as an Adult

For some people, going through the process of getting an adult autism diagnosis can be stressful. Getting support during this time and after diagnosis may help.

Consider finding resources online offered by the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, the Autism Research Institute, or other organizations.

Connecting with autistic people in your local community may help you feel less alone and empower you to be your own advocate, speaking up for yourself and your needs.

Summary

Diagnosing autism in adults can be tricky. People who weren't diagnosed as children are likely to have mild autism traits that they've unknowingly learned to cover up or manage.

That said, there are plenty of autism traits and behaviors a person may be aware of, such as trouble navigating social interactions and extra sensitivity to smells or touch.

People who suspect they may have an autism spectrum disorder can screen themselves using free questionnaires found on the internet. But to get an actual autism diagnosis, it's necessary to see a mental health professional.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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By Lisa Jo Rudy
Rudy is a writer, consultant, author, and advocate who specializes in autism. Her work has appeared in The New York Times and Autism Parenting Magazine.

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