A person with autism viewed from behind standing on an urban street with their back to us.

Take our Autism Test today -
free and evidence-backed

If you have been quietly wondering "am I autistic", our free autism test is the first step in finding out the answer. This autism spectrum test is evidence-based, designed for those aged 18 and above, giving you peace of mind as well as meaningful next steps. Whatever the results may reveal, please know that you are not alone on this journey. We understand how you might be feeling, and our team is here to offer support.

Take the Autism Test Now

Knowledge is power, and that's exactly what taking our free online autism test will give you, the knowledge and insight to help you understand your traits and pave the way toward a full assessment and, where appropriate, a formal diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Our Autism Test is an Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) test. This will pick up on traits and symptoms of autism in adults. The test itself takes around 10-15 minutes to complete.

It is internationally recognised by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as well as being a validated tool used by the NHS, and its accuracy and reliability are backed by extensive research. As with any online screening tool, no test can be 100% definitive, but the AQ's evidence base makes it one of the most trusted starting points available. The test will help you understand if you have Autism traits and help you identify areas you may benefit from support.

However, it cannot replace a full assessment and should not be used to self-diagnose or decide upon a treatment plan. It's a great first step on your journey, giving you a better understanding of whether you have significant Autism traits and if an Autism Assessment is worth considering.

Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Autism presents differently in every adult, but there are common traits that many autistic adults recognise in themselves. Here's what to look out for:

  • Social communication and interaction differences: finding small talk or unwritten social rules difficult, preferring direct communication, or feeling drained by socialising.
  • Sensory sensitivities: being over- or under-sensitive to light, sound, texture, or smell.
  • Need for routine and predictability: finding unexpected changes to plans stressful, with a strong preference for structure.
  • Deep, focused interests: becoming deeply absorbed in specific topics or activities.
  • Masking or camouflaging: consciously copying others' social behaviour to fit in, which is especially common in adults who are diagnosed later in life.

What happens after your free autism test

Now that you've taken the free autism test and it shows you have traits of autism, whilst this is not a diagnosis, it opens the door to a better understanding of yourself. 

At Diverse Diagnostics we have a few options for next steps:

Free 15 minute consultation

  • Opportunity to discuss your difficulties with a mental health clinician
  • Clarity and understanding about your challenges
  • Opportunity to discuss self-funded assessment and treatment options
  • Support and evidence-based treatment options available

Autism Screening Appointment

At Diverse Diagnostics, we offer an Autism Screening appointment with a consultant psychiatrist to help you understand if you have significant autistic traits.

During this Session:
  • A mental state assessment will be conducted.
  • Exploration into if significant autistic traits are present
Cost: £485
Duration: 1 hour
Note: This screening is not a diagnosis. If it indicates that a full autism assessment would be beneficial, we'll recommend this as a next step
ASD

Full Autism Assesement

  • Clinical interview with a Consultant Psychiatrist
  • Standardised diagnostic scales completed
  • Neurodevelopmental screening questionnaire
  • Face-to-face ADOS-2 assessment
  • Feedback session to discuss your results

Cost: £2,400

“I recently came across Diverse Diagnostics and I am so thankful I did! I couldn't be more impressed with the level of care and understanding provided, from the moment I walked in, I felt welcomed and supported in a way that I haven't experienced at other medical facilities.

The staff was incredibly knowledgeable about Autism and took the time to explain everything to me and answer any questions whenever I was unsure, easing my worries. They were patient, compassionate, and truly went above and beyond…”, Read More.

References:

The Autism Spectrum Quotient ( AQ) was first published in 2001 by Simon Baron-Cohen and his colleagues at the Cambridge Autism Research Centre as part of the the widely cited study entitled The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ): Evidence from Asperger syndrome/high-functioning autism, males and females, scientists and mathematicians.

Sources:

  • Simon Baron-Cohen, et al. The Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ): Evidence from Asperger Syndrome/High-Functioning Autism, Males and Females, Scientists and Mathematicians. 31: J Autism Dev Disord 5-17. 2001.
  • M Woodbury-Smith. Screening Adults for Asperger Syndrome using the AQ: a Preliminary Study of its Diagnostic Validity in
    Clinical Practice. 35(3): J Autism Dev Disord 331-335. 2005.
  • Dorothy VM Bishop, et al. Using Self-Report to Identify the Broad Phenotype in Parents of Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders: A Study using the Autism-Spectrum Quotient. 45(8): J Child Psychol Psychiatry 1431-1436. 2004."

FAQs


Learn more about the Evidence-Based Screening process at Diverse Diagnostics. Our tools are designed to align with NHS diagnostic pathways, helping you determine if a full multidisciplinary clinical assessment is the appropriate next step.

While many online tests are informal, our screening utilizes evidence-based, research-validated questionnaires. These are the same instruments used within NHS primary care to triage patients and make formal recommendations for full diagnostic evaluations.

No. A diagnosis is a legal and medical conclusion. Under NICE Guidelines, a formal diagnosis requires a comprehensive clinical assessment involving:

    • Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) review.

    • Structured observation (such as ADOS-2).

    • Detailed developmental history (such as ADI-R). Our screening is the "Step 1" triage used to justify the necessity of these more intensive clinical steps.

We use these specific tools because they are research-validated to measure autistic traits with high sensitivity. By using the same metrics as the NHS, we ensure that the data you gather here is "clinically portable"—meaning it carries weight when discussing your results with GPs, psychiatrists, or educational specialists.

The primary difference is Clinical Validity and Governance.

  • Free Quizzes: Often unvalidated, no data security, and no clinical path.

  • Diverse Diagnostics Screening: Built on World Health Organization (WHO) and NHS-recognised research, supervised by clinical experts, and designed to lead directly into a formal medical pathway.

The screening is designed to be efficient and typically takes around 10 to 20 minutes. We recommend finding a quiet space where you can focus without interruption to ensure your answers accurately reflect your experiences.

A high score indicates that your self-reported traits significantly align with the diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It is a clinical indicator that a full diagnostic assessment is warranted to explore these traits further.

Screening tools are designed to be "inclusive" (sensitive), meaning they sometimes flag traits that could overlap with other neurodivergent or mental health conditions. This is why the clinical oversight provided by Diverse Diagnostics is essential—we help differentiate between a screening "score" and your actual lived experience.

Because our tools are evidence-based and used in the NHS, your results serve as a formal "Starting Point" for your medical record. We recommend:

    • Sharing the report with your GP or clinician as a structured evidence base.

    • Reviewing the findings with one of our experts through an online consultation to discuss the specific nuances of your profile.

    • Transitioning to a Full Assessment if the screening confirms a clinical need.