Used as a diagnostic tool, the autism spectrum quotient was created in 2001 to help diagnose the presence of autism spectrum disorders in adults who may have Asperger syndrome or other forms of high functioning autism. Often these conditions can go unrecognized due to a person’s ability to function at a high enough level that the symptoms are simply chalked up to personality quirks. Here are a few questions answered about the autism spectrum quotient.

Q: Who created this test and when?

A: The autism spectrum quotient was pioneered by researchers from the Autism Research Centre in Cambridge, UK in 2001. The test was designed to help diagnose adult patients who may have an autism spectrum disorder and not know it. The test became widely known when a popular magazine printed the autism spectrum quotient in a December 2001 issue. This led to wide exposure of the test and to people self diagnosing themselves for autism spectrum disorders.

Q: What exactly is an autism spectrum disorder?

A: Many people think that autism is a catch all phrase for mental disorders that include an inability to socialize, ritualistic behavior, an inability to draw one’s attention away and an intense devotion to mathematics or other black or white fields. However, there are a wide range of disorders on a spectrum that rate the severity and symptoms of the condition. Autism falls in the middle of this spectrum and is commonly called classical autism. These conditions are often diagnosed within the first several years of a person’s life. However, people with high functioning forms of autism spectrum disorders, meaning that their symptoms are mild or often unnoticeable, may be unaware that they exhibit signs of an autism spectrum disorder.

Q: How does the autism spectrum quotient work?

A: The test is comprised of fifty questions where a person can respond either “Definitely agree”, “Slightly agree”, “Slightly disagree” or “Definitely disagree”. Half of the test’s questions are designed to be answered positively while the other half is designed to be answered negatively. Answers are compared against a score card that registers to which degree each answer contributes towards a score. This score is then used to determine how closely someone fits to having an autism spectrum disorder.

Q: How effective is the autism spectrum quotient?

A: Initial tests indicated that the autism spectrum quotient is effective at identifying a person with an autism spectrum disorder. Asperger’s syndrome is particularly effective at being identified as it is one of the higher functioning autism spectrum disorders.

Q: What happens if someone takes the test and scores in the autism range?

A: Developers of the autism spectrum quotient stress that it is not a formal diagnostic tool and is more of an informal way of potentially understanding that a condition may exist. Researchers indicate that anyone who receives a high score on the test, indicating an autism spectrum disorder, should not jump to conclusions and seek the advice of a medical professional before changing one’s lifestyle.