Page 1

Am I Autistic??
A Place to Keep Track of Everything You Want to Tell
Your Psychiatrist Regarding Your Experiences with
Autism

Includes:

DSM-5 TR Diagnostic Criteria for Autism [pg. 2-6]

Self-Assessments for Autism [pg. 7-55]

1. Short Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ-10) [pg. 7-9]
2. Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) [pg. 10-16]
3. Empathy Quotient (EQ) [pg. 17-24]
4. Systemizing Quotient-Revised (SQ-R) [pg. 25-35]
5. Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale–Revised (RAADS-R) [pg. 36-47]
6. Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q) [pg. 48-51]
7. Adult Repetitive Behaviours Questionnaire-2 (RBQ-2A) [pg. 52-55]

Self-Assessments for Autism Related Aspects and Co-Occurring

Conditions [pg. 56-93]
1. Online Alexithymia Questionnaire (OAQ-G2) [pg. 57-63]
2. Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS) [pg. 64-66]
3. Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (TEQ) [pg. 67-69]
4. Extreme Demand Avoidance Questionnaire for Adults (EDA-QA) [pg. 70-73]
5. Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS v1.1) [pg. 74-77]
6. Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale for DSM-5 (ASRS-5) [pg. 78-79]
7. Big Five Inventory-A (BFI-A) [pg. 80-84]
8. Executive Skills Questionnaire (ESQ) [pg. 85-89]
9. Executive Skills Questionnaire Revised (ESQ-R) [pg. 90-93]
 Page 2

DSM 5-TR Autism Criteria

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/hcp-dsm.html

To meet diagnostic criteria for ASD according to DSM-5, a person must have
persistent deficits in each of three areas of social communication and interaction
(see A.1. through A.3. below) plus at least two of four types of restricted, repetitive
behaviors (see B.1. through B.4. below).

A. Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across

multiple contexts, as manifested by the following, currently or by history
(examples are illustrative, not exhaustive; see text):

DSM Criteria Childhood Examples Adulthood Examples

A1. Deficits in
social-emotional
reciprocity, ranging, for
example, from abnormal
social approach and
failure of normal
back-and-forth
conversation; to reduced
sharing of interests,
emotions, or affect; to
failure to initiate or
respond to social
interactions.

A2. Deficits in nonverbal

communicative behaviors
 Page 3

used for social

interaction, ranging, for
example, from poorly
integrated verbal and
nonverbal
communication; to
abnormalities in eye
contact and body
language or deficits in
understanding and use of
gestures; to a total lack of
facial expressions and
nonverbal
communication.

A3. Deficits in
developing, maintaining,
and understand
relationships, ranging, for
example, from difficulties
adjusting behavior to suit
various social contexts; to
difficulties in sharing
imaginative play or in
making friends; to
absence of interest in
peers.
 Page 4

B. Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities, as manifested

by at least two of the following, currently or by history (examples are illustrative,
not exhaustive; see text):

DSM Criteria Childhood Examples Adulthood Examples

B1. Stereotyped or
repetitive motor
movements, use of
objects, or speech (e.g.,
simple motor stereotypes,
lining up toys or flipping
objects, echolalia,
idiosyncratic phrases).

B2. Insistence on
sameness, inflexible
adherence to routines, or
ritualized patterns of
verbal or nonverbal
behavior (e.g., extreme
distress at small changes,
difficulties with
transitions, rigid thinking
patterns, greeting rituals,
need to take same route
or eat same food every
day).

B3. Highly restricted,

fixated interests that are
 Page 5

abnormal in intensity or
focus (e.g., strong
attachment to or
preoccupation with
unusual objects,
excessively
circumscribed or
perseverative interests).

B4. Hyper- or
hyporeactivity to sensory
input or unusual interest
in sensory aspects of the
environment (e.g.
apparent indifference to
pain/temperature, adverse
response to specific
sounds or textures,
excessive smelling or
touching of objects,
visual fascination with
lights or movement).

C. Symptoms must be present in the early developmental period (but may not
become fully manifest until social demands exceed limited capacities, or may be
masked by learned strategies in later life).

YES or NO
D. Symptoms cause clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or
other important areas of current functioning.

YES or NO
 Page 6

E. These disturbances are not better explained by intellectual disability

(intellectual developmental disorder) or global developmental delay. Intellectual
disability and autism spectrum disorder frequently co-occur; to make comorbid
diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability, social
communication should be below that expected for general developmental level.

YES or NO
 Page 7

Autism Self-Assessment
Responses and Reasonings

More information on Autism:

https://embrace-autism.com/

Where to find self-assessments:

https://embrace-autism.com/autism-tests/

**Information about the self-assessments including scoring instructions and

interpretation, validity information, translations, and more are available at the link
for each test**

Included Self-Assessments:
1. Short Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ-10) [pg. 7-9]
2. Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) [pg. 10-16]
3. Empathy Quotient (EQ) [pg. 17-24]
4. Systemizing Quotient-Revised (SQ-R) [pg. 25-35]
5. Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale–Revised (RAADS-R) [pg. 36-47]
6. Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q) [pg. 48-51]
7. Adult Repetitive Behaviours Questionnaire-2 (RBQ-2A) [pg. 52-55]
 Page 8

Short Autism Spectrum Quotient: AQ-10

Link to Test: https://embrace-autism.com/aq-10/

Who: For adults (16+) who are suspected of having Autism (but do not have a
learning disability)

Why: Results can be used to determine if a person should be referred for an autism
assessment

Question Response Reasoning

1. I often notice small

sounds when others do
not.

2. When I'm reading a

story, I find it difficult to
work out the characters'
intentions.

3. I find it easy to 'read

between the lines' when
someone is talking to me.

4. I usually concentrate
more on the whole
picture, rather than the
small details.

5. I know how to tell if

someone listening to me
is getting bored.
 Page 9

6. I find it easy to do
more than one thing at
once.

7. I find it easy to work

out what someone is
thinking or feeling just by
looking at their face.

8. If there is an
interruption, I can switch
back to what I was doing
very quickly.

9. I like to collect
information about
categories of things.

10. I find it difficult to

work out people's
intentions.

My Score:
 Page 10

Autism Spectrum Quotient: AQ

Link to Test: https://embrace-autism.com/autism-spectrum-quotient/

Who: For adults (16+) with an IQ in the normal range (IQ > 80)

Why: Measures autistic traits in adults

Question Response Reasoning

1. I prefer to do things
with others rather than
on my own.

2. I prefer to do things
the same way over and
over again.

3. If I try to imagine
something, I find it very
easy to create a picture
in my mind.

4. I frequently get so
strongly absorbed in
one thing that I lose
sight of other things.

5. I often notice small

sounds when others do
not.

6. I usually notice car

number plates or
similar strings of
 Page 11

information.

7. Other people
frequently tell me that
what I've said is
impolite, even though I
think it is polite.

8. When I'm reading a

story, I can easily
imagine what the
characters might look
like.

9. I am fascinated by
dates.

10. In a social group, I

can easily keep track
of several different
people's
conversations.

11. I find social

situations easy.

12. I tend to notice

details that others do
not.

13. I would rather go to

a library than a party.

14. I find making up

stories easy.
 Page 12

15. I find myself drawn

more strongly to
people than to things.

16. I tend to have very

strong interests which I
get upset about if I
can't pursue.

17. I enjoy social

chit-chat.

18. When I talk, it isn't

always easy for others
to get a word in
edgeways.

19. I am fascinated by
numbers.

20. When I'm reading a

story, I find it difficult to
work out the
characters' intentions.

21. I don't particularly

enjoy reading fiction.

22. I find it hard to

make new friends.

23. I notice patterns in

things all the time.
 Page 13

24. I would rather go to

the theatre than a
museum.

25. It does not upset

me if my daily routine
is disturbed.

26. I frequently find

that I don't know how
to keep a conversation
going.

27. I find it easy to

'read between the
lines' when someone is
talking to me.

28. I usually
concentrate more on
the whole picture,
rather than the small
details.

29. I am not very good

at remembering phone
numbers.

30. I don't usually

notice small changes in
a situation, or a
person's appearance.

31. I know how to tell if

someone listening to
 Page 14

me is getting bored.

32. I find it easy to do

more than one thing at
once.

33. When I talk on the

phone, I'm not sure
when it's my turn to
speak.

34. I enjoy doing things

spontaneously.

35. I am often the last

to understand the point
of a joke.

36. I find it easy to

work out what
someone is thinking or
feeling just by looking
at their face.

37. If there is an
interruption, I can
switch back to what I
was doing very quickly.

38. I am good at social

chit-chat.

39. People often tell

me that I keep going
on and on about the
 Page 15

same thing.

40. When I was young,

I used to enjoy playing
games involving
pretending with other
children.

41. I like to collect

information about
categories of things.

42. I find it difficult to

imagine what it would
be like to be someone
else.

43. I like to plan any

activities I participate in
carefully.

44. I enjoy social

occasions.

45. I find it difficult to

work out people's
intentions.

46. New situations

make me anxious.

47. I enjoy meeting

new people.

48. I am a good
 Page 16

diplomat.

49. I am not very good

at remembering
people's date of birth.

50. I find it very easy to

play games with
children that involve
pretending.

My Score:
 Page 17

Empathy Quotient: EQ
Link to Test: https://embrace-autism.com/empathy-quotient/

Who: For autistic adults (16+) judged to have an IQ in the normal range (IQ >=80)

Why: Designed to measure a person’s empathy, research has shown the EQ to

measure social and communication differences

Question Response Reasoning

1. I can easily tell if

someone else wants to
enter a conversation.

2. I prefer animals to
humans.

3. I try to keep up with

the current trends and
fashions.

4. I find it difficult to
explain to others things
that I understand easily,
when they don’t
understand it the first
time.

5. I dream most nights.

6. I really enjoy caring

for other people.
 Page 18

7. I try to solve my own

problems rather than
discussing them with
others.

8. I find it hard to know

what to do in a social
situation.

9. I am at my best first
thing in the morning.

10. People often tell me

that I went too far in
driving my point home in
a discussion.

11. It doesn’t bother me

too much if I am late
meeting a friend.

12. Friendships and

relationships are just too
difficult, so I tend not to
bother with them.

13. I would never break a

law, no matter how
minor.

14. I often find it difficult

to judge if something is
rude or polite.

15. In a conversation, I
 Page 19

tend to focus on my own

thoughts rather than on
what my listener might
be thinking.

16. I prefer practical

jokes to verbal humor.

17. I live life for today

rather than the future.

18. When I was a child, I

enjoyed cutting up
worms to see what would
happen.

19. I can pick up quickly

if someone says one thing
but means another.

20. I tend to have very

strong opinions about
morality.

21. It is hard for me to

see why some things
upset people so much.

22. I find it easy to put

myself in somebody
else’s shoes.

23. I think that good

manners are the most
important thing a parent
 Page 20

can teach their child.

24. I like to do things on

the spur of the moment.

25. I am good at
predicting how someone
will feel.

26. I am quick to spot

when someone in a group
is feeling awkward or
uncomfortable.

27. If I say something

that someone else is
offended by, I think that
that’s their problem, not
mine.

28. If anyone asked me if

I liked their haircut, I
would reply truthfully,
even if I didn’t like it.

29. I can’t always see

why someone should
have felt offended by a
remark.

30. People often tell me

that I am very
unpredictable.

31. I enjoy being the

 Page 21

center of attention at any

social gathering.

32. Seeing people cry

doesn’t really upset me.

33. I enjoy having

discussions about
politics.

34. I am very blunt,

which some people take
to be rudeness, even
though this is
unintentional.

35. I don’t find social

situations confusing.

36. Other people tell me I

am good at understanding
how they are feeling and
what they are thinking.

37. When I talk to

people, I tend to talk
about their experiences
rather than my own.

38. It upsets me to see an

animal in pain.

39. I am able to make

decisions without being
influenced by people’s
 Page 22

feelings.

40. I can’t relax until I

have done everything I
had planned to do that
day.

41. I can easily tell if

someone else is
interested or bored with
what I am saying.

42. I get upset if I see

people suffering on news
programs.

43. Friends usually talk

to me about their
problems as they say that
I am very understanding.

44. I can sense if I am

intruding, even if the
other person doesn’t tell
me.

45. I often start new

hobbies, but quickly
become bored with them
and move on to
something else.

46. People sometimes tell

me that I have gone too
far with teasing.
 Page 23

47. I would be too

nervous to go on a big
rollercoaster.

48. Other people often

say that I am insensitive,
though I don’t always see
why.

49. If I see a stranger in a

group, I think that it is up
to them to make an effort
to join in.

50. I usually stay

emotionally detached
when watching a film.

51. I like to be very

organized in day-to-day
life and often make lists
of the chores I have to
do.

52. I can tune into how

someone else feels
rapidly and intuitively.

53. I don’t like to take

risks.

54. I can easily work out

what another person
might want to talk about.
 Page 24

55. I can tell if someone

is masking their true
emotion.

56. Before making a

decision, I always weigh
up the pros and cons.

57. I don’t consciously

work out the rules of
social situations.

58. I am good at
predicting what someone
will do.

59. I tend to get

emotionally involved
with a friend’s problems.

60. I can usually

appreciate the other
person’s viewpoint, even
if I don’t agree with it.

My Score:
 Page 25

Systemizing Quotient-Revised: SQ-R

Link to Test: https://embrace-autism.com/systemizing-quotient-revised/

Who: For adults (16+) of average or higher intelligence

Why: Measures your proclivity to systemize, or the drive to analyze or construct

systems

Question Response Reasoning

1. I find it very easy to

use train timetables, even
if this involves several
connections.

2. I like music or book

shops because they are
clearly organised.

3. I would not enjoy

organising events e.g.
fundraising evenings,
fetes, conferences.

4. When I read
something, I always
notice whether it is
grammatically correct.

5. I find myself
categorising people into
types (in my own mind).
 Page 26

6. I find it difficult to
read and understand
maps.

7. When I look at a
mountain, I think about
how precisely it was
formed.

8. I am not interested in
the details of exchange
rates, interest rates,
stocks and shares.

9. If I were buying a car,

I would want to obtain
specific information
about its engine capacity.

10. I find it difficult to

learn how to programme
video recorders.

11. When I like

something I like to
collect a lot of different
examples of that type of
object, so I can see how
they differ from each
other.

12. When I learn a

language, I become
intrigued by its
grammatical rules.
 Page 27

13. I like to know how

committees are structured
in terms of who the
different committee
members represent or
what their functions are.

14. If I had a collection

(e.g. CDs, coins, stamps),
it would be highly
organised.

15. I find it difficult to

understand instruction
manuals for putting
appliances together.

16. When I look at a

building, I am curious
about the precise way it
was constructed.

17. I am not interested in

understanding how
wireless communication
works (e.g. mobile
phones).

18. When travelling by

train, I often wonder
exactly how the rail
networks are coordinated.

19. I enjoy looking

through catalogues of
products to see the details
 Page 28

of each product and how

it compares to others.

20. Whenever I run out of

something at home, I
always add it to a
shopping list.

21. I know, with

reasonable accuracy, how
much money has come in
and gone out of my bank
account this month.

22. When I was young I

did not enjoy collecting
sets of things e.g.
stickers, football cards
etc.

23. I am interested in my
family tree and in
understanding how
everyone is related to
each other in the family.

24. When I learn about

historical events, I do not
focus on exact dates.

25. I find it easy to grasp

exactly how odds work in
betting.

26. I do not enjoy games

that involve a high degree
 Page 29

of strategy (e.g. chess,

Risk, Games Workshop).

27. When I learn about a

new category I like to go
into detail to understand
the small differences
between different
members of that category.

28. I do not find it

distressing if people who
live with me upset my
routines.

29. When I look at an

animal, I like to know the
precise species it belongs
to.

30. I can remember large

amounts of information
about a topic that
interests me e.g. flags of
the world, airline logos.

31. At home, I do not

carefully file all
important documents e.g.
guarantees, insurance
policies.

32. I am fascinated by
how machines work.

33. When I look at a

 Page 30

piece of furniture, I do
not notice the details of
how it was constructed.

34. I know very little

about the different stages
of the legislation process
in my country.

35. I do not tend to watch

science documentaries on
television or read articles
about science and nature.

36. If someone stops to

ask me the way, I'd be
able to give directions to
any part of my home
town.

37. When I look at a

painting, I do not usually
think about the technique
involved in making it.

38. I prefer social

interactions that are
structured around a clear
activity, e.g. a hobby.

39. I do not always check

off receipts etc. against
my bank statement.

40. I am not interested in

how the government is
 Page 31

organised into different

ministries and
departments.

41. I am interested in
knowing the path a river
takes from its source to
the sea.

42. I have a large

collection e.g. of books,
CDs, videos etc.

43. If there was a

problem with the
electrical wiring in my
home, I’d be able to fix it
myself.

44. My clothes are not

carefully organised into
different types in my
wardrobe.

45. I rarely read articles

or webpages about new
technology.

46. I can easily visualise

how the motorways in
my region link up.

47. When an election is

being held, I am not
interested in the results
for each constituency.
 Page 32

48. I do not particularly

enjoy learning about facts
and figures in history.

49. I do not tend to

remember people's
birthdays (in terms of
which day and month this
falls).

50. When I am walking

in the country, I am
curious about how the
various kinds of trees
differ.

51. I find it difficult to

understand information
the bank sends me on
different investment and
saving systems.

52. If I were buying a

camera, I would not look
carefully into the quality
of the lens.

53. If I were buying a

computer, I would want
to know exact details
about its hard drive
capacity and processor
speed.

54. I do not read legal

documents very carefully.
 Page 33

55. When I get to the

checkout at a
supermarket I pack
different categories of
goods into separate bags.

56. I do not follow any

particular system when
I'm cleaning at home.

57. I do not enjoy

in-depth political
discussions.

58. I am not very

meticulous when I carry
out D.I.Y or home
improvements.

59. I would not enjoy

planning a business from
scratch to completion.

60. If I were buying a

stereo, I would want to
know about its precise
technical features.

61. I tend to keep things

that other people might
throw away, in case they
might be useful for
something in the future.

62. I avoid situations

 Page 34

which I can not control.

63. I do not care to know

the names of the plants I
see.

64. When I hear the

weather forecast, I am
not very interested in the
meteorological patterns.

65. It does not bother me

if things in the house are
not in their proper place.

66. In maths, I am
intrigued by the rules and
patterns governing
numbers.

67. I find it difficult to

learn my way around a
new city.

68. I could list my

favourite 10 books,
recalling titles and
authors' names from
memory.

69. When I read the

newspaper, I am drawn to
tables of information,
such as football league
scores or stock market
indices.
 Page 35

70. When I’m in a plane,

I do not think about the
aerodynamics.

71. I do not keep careful

records of my household
bills.

72. When I have a lot of

shopping to do, I like to
plan which shops I am
going to visit and in what
order.

73. When I cook, I do not

think about exactly how
different methods and
ingredients contribute to
the final product.

74. When I listen to a

piece of music, I always
notice the way it’s
structured.

75. I could generate a list

of my favourite 10 songs
from memory, including
the title and the artist's
name who performed
each song.

My Score:
 Page 36

Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic

Scale–Revised: RAADS-R
Link to Test: https://embrace-autism.com/raads-r/

Who: For adults (16+) of average or higher intelligence with ASD level 1 or
subclinical autism

Why: Assesses developmental symptoms correlating with the three DSM-5

diagnostic categories for autism

Question Response Reasoning

1. I am a sympathetic
person.

2. I often use words and

phrases from movies and
television in
conversations.

3. I am often surprised
when others tell me I
have been rude.

4. Sometimes I talk too

loudly or too softly, and I
am not aware of it.

5. I often don't know how

to act in social situations.

6. I can 'put myself in

other people's shoes.'
 Page 37

7. I have a hard time

figuring out what some
phrases mean, like 'you
are the apple of my eye.'

8. I only like to talk to

people who share my
special interests.

9. I focus on details
rather than the overall
idea.

10. I always notice how

food feels in my mouth.
This is more important to
me than how it tastes.

11. I miss my best friends

or family when we are
apart for a long time.

12. Sometimes I offend

others by saying what I
am thinking, even if I
don't mean to.

13. I only like to think

and talk about a few
things that interest me.

14. I'd rather go out to eat

in a restaurant by myself
than with someone I
know.
 Page 38

15. I cannot imagine

what it would be like to
be someone else.

16. I have been told that I

am clumsy or
uncoordinated.

17. Others consider me

odd or different.

18. I understand when

friends need to be
comforted.

19. I am very sensitive to

the way my clothes feel
when I touch them. How
they feel is more
important to me than how
they look.

20. I like to copy the way

certain people speak and
act. It helps me appear
more normal.

21. It can be very

intimidating for me to
talk to more than one
person at the same time.

22. I have to 'act normal'

to please other people
and make them like me.
 Page 39

23. Meeting new people

is usually easy for me.

24. I get highly confused

when someone interrups
me when I am talking
about something I am
very interested in.

25. It is difficult for me to

understand how other
people are feeling when
we are talking.

26. I like having a

conversation with several
people, for instance
around a dinner table, at
school or at work.

27. I take things too

literally, so I often miss
what people are trying to
say.

28. It is very difficult for

me to understand when
someone is embarrassed
or jealous.

29. Some ordinary

textures that do not
bother others feel very
offensive when they
touch my skin.
 Page 40

30. I get extremely upset

when the way I like to do
things is suddenly
changed.

31. I have never wanted

or needed to have what
other people call an
'intimate relationship.'

32. It is difficult for me to

start and stop a
conversation. I need to
keep going until I am
finished.

33. I speak with a normal

rhythm.

34. The same sound,

color or texture can
suddenly change from
very sensitive to very
dull.

35. The phrase 'I've got

you under my skin'
makes me uncomfortable.

36. Sometimes the sound

of a word or a
high-pitched noise can be
painful to my ears.

37. I am an
 Page 41

understanding type of
person.

38. I do not connect with

characters in movies and
cannot feel what they
feel.

39. I cannot tell when

someone is flirting with
me.

40. I can see in my mind

in exact detail things that
I am interested in.

41. I keep lists of things

that interest me, even
when they have no
practical use (for
example sports statistics,
train schedules, calendar
dates, historical facts and
dates).

42. When I feel

overwhelmed by my
senses, I have to isolate
myself to shut them
down.

43. I like to talk things

over with my friends.

44. I cannot tell if

someone is interested or
 Page 42

bored with what I am

saying.

45. It can be very hard to

read someone's face,
hand and body
movements when they
are talking.

46. The same thing (like

clothes or temperatures)
can feel very different to
me at different times.

47. I feel very

comfortable with dating
or being in social
situations with others.

48. I try to be as helpful

as I can when other
people tell me their
personal problems.

49. I have been told that I

have an unusual voice
(for example flat,
monotone, childish, or
high-pitched).

50. Sometimes a thought

or a subject gets stuck in
my mind and I have to
talk about it even if no
one is interested.
 Page 43

51. I do certain things

with my hands over and
over again (like flapping,
twirling sticks or strings,
waving things by my
eyes).

52. I have never been

interested in what most of
the people I know
consider interesting.

53. I am considered a
compassionate type of
person.

54. I get along with other

people by following a set
of specific rules that help
me look normal.

55. It is very difficult for

me to work and function
in groups.

56. When I am talking to

someone, it is hard to
change the subject. If the
other person does so, I
can get very upset and
confused.

57. Sometimes I have to

cover my ears to block
out painful noises (like
vacuum cleaners or
 Page 44

people talking too much

or too loudly).

58. I can chat and make

small talk with people.

59. Sometimes things that

should feel painful are
not (for instance when I
hurt myself or burn my
hand on the stove).

60. When talking to

someone, I have a hard
time telling when it is my
turn to talk or to listen.

61. I am considered a
loner by those who know
me best.

62. I usually speak in a

normal tone.

63. I like things to be

exactly the same day
after day and even small
changes in my routines
upset me.

64. How to make friends

and socialize is a mystery
to me.

65. It calms me to spin

 Page 45

around or to rock in a
chair when I'm feeling
stressed.

66. The phrase, 'He wears

his heart on his sleeve,'
does not make sense to
me.

67. If I am in a place
where there are many
smells, textures to feel,
noises or bright lights, I
feel anxious or
frightened.

68. I can tell when

someone says one thing
but means something
else.

69. I like to be by myself

as much as I can.

70. I keep my thoughts

stacked in my memory
like they are on filing
cards, and I pick out the
ones I need by looking
through the stack and
finding the right one (or
another unique way).

71. The same sound

sometimes seems very
loud or very soft, even
 Page 46

though I know it has not

changed.

72. I enjoy spending time

eating and talking with
my family and friends.

73. I can't tolerate things

I dislike (like smells,
textures, sounds or
colors).

74. I don't like to be

hugged or held.

75. When I go
somewhere, I have to
follow a familiar route or
I can get very confused
and upset.

76. It is difficult to figure

out what other people
expect of me.

77. I like to have close

friends.

78. People tell me that I

give too much detail.

79. I am often told that I

ask embarrassing
questions.
 Page 47

80. I tend to point out

other people's mistakes.

My Score:
 Page 48

Camouflaging Autistic Traits

Questionnaire: CAT-Q
Link to Test: https://embrace-autism.com/cat-q/

Who: For adults (16+) of average or higher intelligence

Why: Measures the degree to which you use social camouflaging strategies

Question Response Reasoning

1. When I am interacting
with someone, I
deliberately copy their
body language or facial
expressions.

2. I monitor my body
language or facial
expressions so that I
appear relaxed.

3. I rarely feel the need to

put on an act in order to
get through a social
situation.

4. I have developed a
script to follow in social
situations.

5. I will repeat phrases

that I have heard others
say in the exact same
 Page 49

way that I first heard

them.

6. I adjust my body
language or facial
expressions so that I
appear interested by the
person I am interacting
with.

7. In social situations, I
feel like I’m ‘performing’
rather than being myself.

8. In my own social
interactions, I use
behaviours that I have
learned from watching
other people interacting.

9. I always think about

the impression I make on
other people.

10. I need the support of

other people in order to
socialise.

11. I practice my facial

expressions and body
language to make sure
they look natural.

12. I don’t feel the need

to make eye contact with
other people if I don’t
 Page 50

want to.

13. I have to force myself

to interact with people
when I am in social
situations.

14. I have tried to

improve my
understanding of social
skills by watching other
people.

15. I monitor my body

language or facial
expressions so that I
appear interested by the
person I am interacting
with.

16. When in social

situations, I try to find
ways to avoid interacting
with others.

17. I have researched the

rules of social
interactions to improve
my own social skills.

18. I am always aware of

the impression I make on
other people.

19. I feel free to be

myself when I am with
 Page 51

other people.

20. I learn how people

use their bodies and faces
to interact by watching
television or films, or by
reading fiction.

21. I adjust my body

language or facial
expressions so that I
appear relaxed.

22. When talking to other

people, I feel like the
conversation flows
naturally.

23. I have spent time

learning social skills
from television shows
and films, and try to use
these in my interactions.

24. In social interactions,

I do not pay attention to
what my face or body are
doing.

25. In social situations, I

feel like I am pretending
to be ‘normal’.

My Score:
 Page 52

Adult Repetitive Behaviours

Questionnaire-2: RBQ-2A
Link to Test: RBQ-2A | Embrace Autism (embrace-autism.com)

Who: For adults (16+) of average or higher intelligence

Why: Measures restricted and repetitive behaviors in adults

Question Response Reasoning

1. Do you like to arrange

items in rows or patterns?

2. Do you repetitively
fiddle with items? (e.g.
spin, twiddle, bang, tap,
twist, or flick anything
repeatedly?)

3. Do you like to spin

yourself around and
around?

4. Do you rock
backwards and forwards,
or side to side, either
when sitting or when
standing?

5. Do you pace or move

around repetitively (e.g.
walk to and fro across a
room, or around the same
path in the garden?)
 Page 53

6. Do you make
repetitive hand and/or
finger movements? (e.g.
flap, wave, or flick your
hands or fingers
repetitively?)

7. Do you have a
fascination with specific
objects (e.g. trains, road
signs, or other things?)

8. Do you like to look at

objects from particular or
unusual angles?

9. Do you have a special

interest in the smell of
people or objects?

10. Do you have a special

interest in the feel of
different surfaces?

11. Do you have any

special objects you like to
carry around?

12. Do you collect or

hoard items of any sort?

13. Do you insist on

things at home remaining
the same? (e.g. furniture
staying in the same place,
 Page 54

things being kept in

certain places, or
arranged in certain
ways?)

14. Do you get upset

about minor changes to
objects (e.g. flecks of dirt
on your clothes, minor
scratches on objects?)

15. Do you insist that

aspects of daily routine
must remain the same?

16. Do you insist on

doing things in a certain
way or re-doing things
until they 'just right'?

17. Do you play the same

music, game or video, or
read the same book
repeatedly?

18. Do you insist on

wearing the same clothes
or refuse to wear new
clothes?

19. Do you insist on

eating the same foods, or
a very small range of
foods, at every meal?

20. If you are left to

 Page 55

occupy yourself, will you

choose from a restricted
range of repetitive
activities?

My Score:
 Page 56

Autism Related Aspects and

Co-Occurring Disorders Self-Assessment
Responses and Reasonings

More information on Autism:

https://embrace-autism.com/

Where to find self-assessments:

https://embrace-autism.com/autism-tests/

**Information about the self-assessments including scoring instructions and

interpretation, validity information, translations, and more are available at the link
for each test**

Included Self-Assessments:
1. Online Alexithymia Questionnaire (OAQ-G2) [pg. 57-63]
2. Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS) [pg. 64-66]
3. Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (TEQ) [pg. 67-69]
4. Extreme Demand Avoidance Questionnaire for Adults (EDA-QA) [pg. 70-73]
5. Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS v1.1) [pg. 74-77]
6. Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale for DSM-5 (ASRS-5) [pg. 78-79]
7. Big Five Inventory-A (BFI-A) [pg. 80-84]
8. Executive Skills Questionnaire (ESQ) [pg. 85-89]
9. Executive Skills Questionnaire Revised (ESQ-R) [pg. 90-93]
 Page 57

Online Alexithymia Questionnaire: OAQ-G2

Link to Test: https://embrace-autism.com/online-alexithymia-questionnaire/

Who: For adults (16+) of average or higher intelligence with ASD level 1

Why: measures difficulty in identifying and describing emotions and feelings, and
distinguishing among the accompanying bodily sensations.

Question Response Reasoning

1. When asked which

emotion I'm feeling, I
frequently don't know the
answer.

2. I'm unsure of which

words to use when
describing my feelings.

3. I prefer to find out the

emotional intricacies of
my problems rather than
just describe them in
terms of practical facts.

4. When other people are

hurt or upset, I have
difficulty imagining what
they are feeling.

5. People tell me to
describe my feelings
 Page 58

more, as if I haven't
elaborated enough.

6. Sex as a recreational
activity seems kind of
pointless.

7. I can describe my
emotions with ease.

8. You cannot
functionally live your life
without being aware of
your deepest emotions.

9. People sometimes get

upset with me, and I can't
imagine why.

10. People tell me I don't

listen to their feelings
properly, when in fact I'm
doing my utmost to
understand what they're
saying!

11. When I am upset I

find it difficult to identify
the feelings causing it.

12. Describing the

feelings I have about
 Page 59

other people is often

difficult.

13. I prefer doing

physical activities with
friends rather than
discussing each others
emotional experiences.

14. I am not much of a

daydreamer.

15. I don't like people's

constant assumptions that
I should understand or
guess their needs... its as
if they want me to read
their minds!

16. I sometimes
experience confusing
sensations in my body.

17. For me sex is more a

functional activity than it
is an emotional one.

18. Some people have

told me I am cold or
unresponsive to their
needs.
 Page 60

19. I don't dream

frequently, and when I do
the dreams usually seem
rather boring.

20. Friends have

indicated, in one way or
another, that I'm more in
my head than in my
heart.

21. I can't identify

feelings that I vaguely
sense are going on inside
of me.

22. I often ask other

people what they would
feel if in my personal
situation (any situation),
as this better helps me
understand what to do.

23. I find it useful to

ponder on my feelings as
much as the practical
issues when setting my
priorities.

24. I use my imagination

mainly for practical
means, eg., like how to
 Page 61

work out a problem or

construct a useful idea or
object.

25. I often feel

incompetent, awkward,
uncomfortable, or
occasionally physically
sick in sexual situations.

26. When involved in

difficult or turbulent
relationships, I
sometimes develop
confusing physical
symptoms.

27. I tend to rely on other

people for interpreting
the emotional details of
personal/social events.

28. I don\t like

conversations in which
more time is spent
discussing emotional
matters than daily
activities because it
detracts from my
enjoyment.

29. I often get confused

about what the other
 Page 62

person wants from a

sexual relationship.

30. People I've been in

close relationships with
have complained that I
neglect them emotionally.

31. I like it when

someone describes the
feelings they experience
under circumstances
similar to my own,
because this helps me see
what my own feelings
might be.

32. My imagination is
often spontaneous,
unpredictable and
involuntary.

33. When helping others

I prefer to assist with
physical tasks rather than
offering counsel about
their feelings.

34. I have puzzling

physical sensations that
even
friends/aquaintances/othe
rs don't understand.
 Page 63

35. I get in a muddle

when I try to describe
how I feel about an
important event.

36. My imagination is
usually not spontaneous
and surprising, but rather
used/employed in a more
controlled fashion.

37. I make decisions

based on principles rather
than gut feelings.

My Score:
 Page 64

Toronto Alexithymia Scale: TAS-20

Link to Test: https://embrace-autism.com/toronto-alexithymia-scale/

Who: For adults (16+) of average or higher intelligence

Why: Measures difficulty in identifying and describing emotions

Question Response Reasoning

1. I am often confused
about what emotion I am
feeling.

2. It is difficult for me to
find the right words for
my feelings.

3. I have physical
sensations that even
doctors don’t understand.

4. I am able to describe
my feelings easily.

5. I prefer to analyze
problems rather than just
describe them.

6. When I am upset, I
don’t know if I am sad,
frightened, or angry.

7. I am often puzzled by
sensations in my body.
 Page 65

8. I prefer to just let

things happen rather than
to understand why they
turned out that way.

9. I have feelings that I

can’t quite identify.

10. Being in touch with

emotions is essential.

11. I find it hard to

describe how I feel about
people.

12. People tell me to

describe my feelings
more.

13. I don’t know what’s

going on inside me.

14. I often don’t know

why I am angry.

15. I prefer talking to

people about their daily
activities rather than their
feelings.

16. I prefer to watch

“light” entertainment
shows rather than
psychological dramas.
 Page 66

17. It is difficult for me to

reveal my innermost
feelings, even to close
friends.

18. I can feel close to

someone, even in
moments of silence.

19. I find examination of

my feelings useful in
solving personal
problems.

20. I look for hidden

meanings in movies or
plays.

My Score:
 Page 67

Toronto Empathy Questionnaire: TEQ

Link to Test: https://embrace-autism.com/toronto-empathy-questionnaire/

Who: For adults (16+) of average or higher intelligence

Why: Measures a person’s emotional ability to understand and respond to others

Question Response Reasoning

1. When someone else is

feeling excited, I tend to
get excited too.

2. Other people’s
misfortunes do not
disturb me a great deal.

3. It upsets me to see
someone being treated
disrespectfully.

4. I remain unaffected
when someone close to
me is happy.

5. I enjoy making other

people feel better.

6. I have tender,
concerned feelings for
people less fortunate than
 Page 68

me.

7. When a friend starts to

talk about his\her
problems, I try to steer
the conversation towards
something else.

8. I can tell when others

are sad even when they
do not say anything.

9. I find that I am “in

tune” with other people’s
moods.

10. I do not feel

sympathy for people who
cause their own serious
illnesses.

11. I become irritated

when someone cries.

12. I am not really

interested in how other
people feel.

13. I get a strong urge to

help when I see someone
who is upset.
 Page 69

14. When I see someone

being treated unfairly, I
do not feel very much
pity for them.

15. I find it silly for

people to cry out of
happiness.

16. When I see someone

being taken advantage of,
I feel kind of protective
towards him\her.

My Score:
 Page 70

Extreme Demand Avoidance Questionnaire

for Adults: EDA-QA
Link to Test: https://embrace-autism.com/eda-qa/

Who: For adults (16+) of average or higher intelligence

Why: Measures traits and behaviors related to pathological demand avoidance

(PDA)

Question Response Reasoning

1. I obsessively resist and

avoid ordinary demands
and requests

2. I complain about
illness or physical
incapacity to avoid a
request or demand

3. I am driven by the
need to be in charge

4. I find everyday
pressures (e.g. having to
go on a routine trip/visit
dentist) intolerably
stressful

5. I tell other people how

they should behave, but
do not feel these rules
apply to me
 Page 71

6. I mimic other people’s

mannerisms and styles
(e.g., use phrases adopted
from other people to
express myself to others)

7. I have difficulty
complying with demands
and requests from others
unless they are carefully
presented

8. I take on roles or
characters (from TV/real
life) and ‘act them out’

9. I show little shame or

embarrassment (e.g., I
might throw a tantrum in
public and not be
embarrassed)

10. I invent fantasy

worlds or games and act
them out

11. I am good at getting

around others and
making them do as I want

12. I am unaware or
indifferent to the
differences between
myself and figures of
authority (e.g. parents,
teachers, and police)
 Page 72

13. I will still sometimes

have a ‘meltdown’ (e.g.,
scream, tantrum, hit, or
kick) if I feel pressurized
to do something

14. I like to be told I have

done a good job

15. I have a very rapidly

changing mood (e.g., I
can switch from
affectionate to angry in
an instant)

16. I know what to do or

say to upset particular
people

17. I blame or target a

particular person/persons

18. I deny things I have

done, even if I am caught
“red-handed”

19. I can be distracted

(preoccupied) ‘from
within’ (i.e., absorbed in
my own world)

20. I make an effort to

maintain my reputation
with other people
 Page 73

21. I sometimes use

outrageous or shocking
behaviour to get out of
doing something

22. I have periods when I

have extremely emotional
responses (e.g.,
crying/giggling,
becoming furious) to
what others would think
small events

23. I ensure any social

interaction is on my own
terms

24. I prefer to interact

with others in an adopted
role or communicate
through props or objects

25. I seek to quibble and

change rules set by others

26. I can be passive and

difficult to engage

My Score:
 Page 74

Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale: ASRS v1.1

Link to Test: https://embrace-autism.com/asrs-v1-1/

Who: For adults (16+) of average or higher intelligence

Why: Screening scale for ADHD in adults

Question Response Reasoning

1. How often do you have

trouble wrapping up the
final details of a project,
once the challenging
parts have been done?

2. How often do you have

difficulty getting things
in order when you have
to do a task that requires
organization?

3. How often do you have

problems remembering
appointments or
obligations?

4. When you have a task

that requires a lot of
thought, how often do
you avoid or delay
getting started?

5. How often do you

fidget or squirm with
your hands or feet when
 Page 75

you have to sit down for

a long time?

6. How often do you feel

overly active and
compelled to do things,
like you were driven by a
motor?

7. How often do you

make careless mistakes
when you have to work
on a boring or difficult
project?

8. How often do you have

difficulty keeping your
attention when you are
doing boring or repetitive
work?

9. How often do you have

difficulty concentrating
on what people say to
you, even when they are
speaking to you directly?

10. How often do you

misplace or have
difficulty finding things
at home or at work?

11. How often are you

distracted by activity or
noise around you?
 Page 76

12. How often do you

leave your seat in
meetings or other
situations in which you
are expected to remain
seated?

13. How often do you

feel restless or fidgety?

14. How often do you

have difficulty unwinding
and relaxing when you
have time to yourself?

15. How often do you

find yourself talking too
much when you are in
social situations?

16. When you’re in a

conversation, how often
do you find yourself
finishing the sentences of
the people you are talking
to, before they can finish
them themselves?

17. How often do you

have difficulty waiting
your turn in situations
when turn taking is
required?

18. How often do you

interrupt others when
 Page 77

they are busy?

My Score:
 Page 78

Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale for DSM-5:

ASRS-5
Link to Test: https://embrace-autism.com/asrs-5/

Who: For adults (16+) of average or higher intelligence

Why: Screening scale for ADHD in adults

Question Response Reasoning

1. How often do you have

difficulty concentrating
on what people are
saying to you even when
they are speaking to you
directly?

2. How often do you

leave your seat in
meetings or other
situations in which you
are expected to remain
seated?

3. How often do you have

difficulty unwindding
and relaxing when you
have time to yourself?

4. When you’re in a
conversation, how often
 Page 79

do you find yourself

finishing the sentences of
the people you are talking
to before they can finish
them themselves?

5. How often do you put

things off until the last
minute?

6. How often do you

depend on others to keep
your life in order and
attend to details?

My Score:
 Page 80

Big Five Inventory-A: BFI-A

Link to Test: https://embrace-autism.com/big-five/

Who: For adults (16+) of average or higher intelligence

Why: Gives a measure of an individual’s personality

Question Response Reasoning

1. Is talkative [around
people that you know]

2. Tends to find fault with

others [meaning that you
are judging them, either
against yourself or
against what you hold to
be the ideal way of
being]

3. Does a thorough job

4. Is depressed, blue
[idiom: meaning to
experience emotions of
sadness or gloominess]

5. Is original, comes up
with new ideas [this does
not mean always; just in
general, do you come up
with new ideas?]
 Page 81

6. Is reserved

7. Is helpful and unselfish

with others

8. Can be somewhat
careless [the opposite of a
person who is careful]

9. Is relaxed, handles
stress well

10. Is curious about many

different things

11. Is full of energy

12. Starts quarrels with

others

13. Is a reliable worker

14. Can be tense

15. Is original, and

inventive

16. Generates a lot of

enthusiasm
 Page 82

17. Has a forgiving

nature

18. Tends to be
disorganized

19. Worries a lot

20. Has an active

imagination

21. Tends to be quiet

22. Is generally trusting

23. Tends to be lazy

24. Is emotionally stable,

not easily upset

25. Is inventive

26. Has an assertive

personality [respects the
rights of other people as
well as your own]

27. Can be cold and aloof

28. Perseveres until the

 Page 83

task is finished

29. Can be moody

[unpredictable changes of
mood, especially sudden
bouts of gloominess]

30. Values artistic,

aesthetic experiences

31. Is sometimes shy,

inhibited

32. Tries to be
considerate and kind to
almost everyone

33. Does things

efficiently

34. Remains calm in

tense situations

35. Prefers work that is

routine [as opposed to
work that includes many
changes]

36. Is outgoing, sociable

37. Is sometimes rude to

others
 Page 84

38. Makes goals and

follows through with
them

39. Gets anxious easily

40. Likes to reflect, play

with ideas

41. Has few artistic

interests

42. Likes to cooperate

with others

43. Is easily distracted

44. Experienced and

knowledgable in art,
music, or literature

My Score:
 Page 85

Executive Skills Questionnaire: ESQ

Link to Test: https://embrace-autism.com/esq/

Who: For adults (16+) of average or higher intelligence

Why: Designed to rate your executive skills, the mental processes that enable us to
plan, focus attention, remember instructions, juggle multiple tasks successfully,
and self-regulate

Question Response Reasoning

1. I don’t jump to
conclusions.

2. I think before I speak.

3. I don’t take action

without having all the
facts.

4. I have a good memory

for facts, dates, and
details.

5. I am very good at
remembering the things I
have committed to do.

6. I seldom need
reminders to complete
tasks.

7. My emotions seldom
 Page 86

get in the way when

performing the job.

8. Little things do not

affect me emotionally or
distact me from the task
at hand.

9. I can defer my
personal feelings until
after a task has been
completed.

10. No matter what the

task, I believe in getting
started as soon as
possible.

11. Procrastination is
usually not a problem for
me.

12. I seldom leave tasks

to the last minute.

13. I find it easy to stay

focused on my work.

14. Once I start an

assignment, I work
diligently until it's
completed.

15. Even when

interrupted, I find it easy
 Page 87

to get back and complete

the job at hand.

16. When I plan out my

day, I identify priorities
and stick to them.

17. When I have a lot to

do, I can easily focus on
the most important
things.

18. I typically break big

tasks down into subtasks
and timelines.

19. I am an organized
person.

20. It is natural for me to

keep my work area neat
and organized.

21. I am good at
maintaining systems for
organizing my work.

22. At the end of the day,

I've usually finished what
I set out to do.

23. I am good at
estimating how long it
takes to do something.
 Page 88

24. I am usually on time

for appointments and
activities.

25. I take unexpected

events in stride.

26. I easily adjust to

changes in plans and
priorities.

27. I consider myself to

be flexible and adaptive
to change.

28. I routinely evaluate

my performance and
devise methods for
personal improvement.

29. I am able to step back

from a situation in order
to make objective
decisions.

30. I “read” situations

well and and can adjust
my behavior based on the
reactions of others.

31. I think of myself as

being driven to meet my
goals.

32. I easily give up

 Page 89

immediate pleasures to
work on long-term goals.

33. I believe in setting

and achieving high levels
of performance.

34. I enjoy working in a

highly demanding,
fast-paced environment.

35. A certain amount of

pressure helps me to
perform at my best.

36. Jobs that include a

fair degree of
unpredictability appeal to
me.

My Score:
 Page 90

Executive Skills Questionnaire Revised: ESQ-R

Link to Test: https://embrace-autism.com/executive-skills-questionnaire-revised/

Who: For adults (14+) of average or higher intelligence

Why: Designed to assess executive skill strengths and challenges

Question Response Reasoning

1. I act on impulse.

2. I say things without

thinking.

3. I lose things.

4. I have a short fuse.

5. I get upset when things

don’t go as planned.

6. I run out of steam

before finishing a task.

7. It’s hard for me to set

priorities when I have a
lot of things to do.

8. My desk or work space

is a mess.
 Page 91

9. I have trouble keeping

my house or room clean.

10. I have trouble

estimating how long it
will take to complete a
task.

11. I’m slow at getting

ready for school, work, or
appointments.

12. If the first solution to

a problem doesn’t work, I
have trouble thinking of a
different one.

13. I skip checking my

work for mistakes, even
when the stakes are high.

14. I get annoyed when

tasks are too hard.

15. It’s hard for me to put

aside fun activities to
start things I know I need
to do.

16. I have trouble with

tasks where I have to
 Page 92

come up with my own

ideas.

17. It’s hard for me to tell

how well I'm doing on a
task.

18. I have trouble

reaching long-term goals.

19. I “go with my gut”

when making decisions.

20. I get so wrapped up

in what I’m doing that I
forget about other things
I need to do.

21. Little things frustrate

me.

22. I have trouble getting

back on track if I’m
interrupted.

23. I have trouble making

a plan.

24. I miss the big picture.

25. I live for the moment.

 Page 93

My Score: