Could I Be Autistic?

Take a closer look at some common symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Have you ever wondered if you might be autistic? This neurodevelopmental condition has a wide variety of traits, but it’s often associated with communication differences, intense interests, and a need for routine and familiarity. While some autistic people get diagnosed as kids, others go undiagnosed until their teen or adult years.

In this test, we invite you to look at a list of statements that connect to common autistic traits and respond with how much or how little you relate to them.


Disclaimer: This quiz is not a diagnostic tool and should not be used as one. Talk to a psychologist if you want to pursue a diagnosis.

A girl with long blonde hair and blue eyes in a blue sweater taps in chin in front of a multicolored background.

Quizzes Are More Fun With Friends

Share this quiz with your friends and compare results.

Questions Overview

1. The social dynamics of group work are hard to navigate. I feel like I do my best when I'm working solo.
  1. I relate to this a lot.
  2. I kind of relate to this.
  3. I don't really relate to this.
  4. I don't relate to this at all.
2. I figure out the best way to do something and I stick with it. I’d rather not change things up unless there’s a clear good reason to do so.
  1. I relate to this a lot.
  2. I kind of relate to this.
  3. I don't really relate to this.
  4. I don't relate to this at all.
3. I have a deep passion for my hobbies and pastimes. I love collecting info about them over long stretches of time.
  1. I relate to this a lot.
  2. I kind of relate to this.
  3. I don't really relate to this.
  4. I don't relate to this at all.
4. Navigating social gatherings is hard. No matter how hard I try, I tend to come across as awkward.
  1. I relate to this a lot.
  2. I kind of relate to this.
  3. I don't really relate to this.
  4. I don't relate to this at all.
5. I swear I have super-hearing sometimes—I’m able to hear things that my friends can’t.
  1. I relate to this a lot.
  2. I kind of relate to this.
  3. I don't really relate to this.
  4. I don't relate to this at all.
6. I’m not skilled at “reading people” (observing their moods and thoughts). I need them to be clear and honest with me, or I’ll miss things.
  1. I relate to this a lot.
  2. I kind of relate to this.
  3. I don't really relate to this.
  4. I don't relate to this at all.
7. I feel confused when people say I was rude or blunt. I had no idea I was coming off that way.
  1. I relate to this a lot.
  2. I kind of relate to this.
  3. I don't really relate to this.
  4. I don't relate to this at all.
8. Routines keep my life on track and help me avoid bad surprises. My life would be so much harder without them!
  1. I relate to this a lot.
  2. I kind of relate to this.
  3. I don't really relate to this.
  4. I don't relate to this at all.
9. It’s jarring when people cancel or change plans at the last minute. I’m not great at adjusting.
  1. I relate to this a lot.
  2. I kind of relate to this.
  3. I don't really relate to this.
  4. I don't relate to this at all.
10. I don’t understand why characters in stories lie to each other so often. It’s almost always better to just tell the truth.
  1. I relate to this a lot.
  2. I kind of relate to this.
  3. I don't really relate to this.
  4. I don't relate to this at all.
11. Sometimes, figuring out meanings in social situations (like subtext or facial expressions) feels like interpreting a foreign language. I can try hard, but I still miss things.
  1. I relate to this a lot.
  2. I kind of relate to this.
  3. I don't really relate to this.
  4. I don't relate to this at all.
12. Loud noises and bright or flickering lights bother me. It's hard to think when things are too chaotic.
  1. I relate to this a lot.
  2. I kind of relate to this.
  3. I don't really relate to this.
  4. I don't relate to this at all.
13. I can’t always tell when someone is being sarcastic; or whether teasing is friendly or unfriendly.
  1. I relate to this a lot.
  2. I kind of relate to this.
  3. I don't really relate to this.
  4. I don't relate to this at all.
14. I organize things with a careful system. Even if other people don't understand it, I know where to find everything important to me.
  1. I relate to this a lot.
  2. I kind of relate to this.
  3. I don't really relate to this.
  4. I don't relate to this at all.
15. Labeling and talking about my feelings can be difficult. I may not know how I feel unless I stop to think carefully about it.
  1. I relate to this a lot.
  2. I kind of relate to this.
  3. I don't really relate to this.
  4. I don't relate to this at all.
16. I don’t have the easiest time connecting with people and making new friends.
  1. I relate to this a lot.
  2. I kind of relate to this.
  3. I don't really relate to this.
  4. I don't relate to this at all.
17. I’m not a fan of eye contact—I’d rather look somewhere else during a conversation.
  1. I relate to this a lot.
  2. I kind of relate to this.
  3. I don't really relate to this.
  4. I don't relate to this at all.
18. I've noticed that my interests are often very different from those of my peers.
  1. I relate to this a lot.
  2. I kind of relate to this.
  3. I don't really relate to this.
  4. I don't relate to this at all.
19. Sometimes, I get so overwhelmed that I can’t think straight. I may shut down, cry, or have an outburst.
  1. I relate to this a lot.
  2. I kind of relate to this.
  3. I don't really relate to this.
  4. I don't relate to this at all.
20. I can't bear certain tastes or textures in food. I prefer to stick to foods and brands I know I can eat.
  1. I relate to this a lot.
  2. I kind of relate to this.
  3. I don't really relate to this.
  4. I don't relate to this at all.

More Quizzes

Did you like this quiz?

What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?

"Autism" is a collection of very similar conditions that exist on a spectrum, like Autistic Disorder and Asperger’s Syndrome (terms that have since merged under ASD and are no longer used independently in the medical community). While ASD can be influenced by genetics, it can also be caused by other unknown factors. At the end of the day, an autistic brain simply develops a bit differently than a neurotypical brain does.

What are the signs and symptoms of ASD?
ASD often impacts a person’s socialization and communication. This can manifest in different ways and different extents—ultimately, it depends on the individual diagnosis. ASD is often diagnosed in early childhood and is identified with signs/symptoms like:

  • A difficulty maintaining eye contact
  • A difficulty making dynamic, emotional expressions
  • An inability to respond to others’ emotional distress
  • A difficulty joining other kids in social interactions
  • A repetitive way of engaging with toys and hobbies
  • A strong affinity for routines

ASD can manifest a little differently in adults, who may experience symptoms like:

  • Extreme anxiety in social scenarios
  • Difficulty understanding others’ feelings and thoughts
  • Difficulty verbalizing one’s own feelings
  • Difficulty understanding sarcasm

Experiences with ASD vary a lot from person to person. There are some pretty amazing strengths associated with autism, as well. Here are just a few:

  • Great memory and concentration skills
  • High honesty, reliability, and integrity in relationships
  • Incredible detail orientation and observational skills
  • Strong imagination and creative problem solving skills
  • High visual intelligence
  • High academic achievement and expertise in areas of interest
  • Determination and resilience

How do I know if I have ASD?
Meet with a psychiatric professional who has experience working with autistic individuals. An ASD diagnosis involves multiple factors, like an assessment, a review of your family’s medical history, and more. If you live in the United States, the Autism Society’s website is a great resource for starting the screening process; if you live in the UK, check out the National Autistic Society’s website.

Keep in mind that this quiz is not meant to be a diagnostic tool, and is not a replacement for a psychiatric evaluation. You can, however, use this quiz as a jumping-off point to better understand the symptoms of ASD and how you relate to them.

Want to learn more?

You Might Also Like

Medical Disclaimer

Any medically related content, whether User Content or otherwise found on the Service, is not intended to be medical advice or instructions for medical diagnosis or treatment, and no physician-patient or psychotherapist-patient relationship is, or is intended to be, created.

Read More...

Reader Success Stories

  • Aheli D.

    Aheli D.

    Oct 7

    "I recently read a great book about an autistic girl, and I kind of felt like I related to her. This quiz was fun..." more
More reader stories Hide reader stories
Share your story