AQ-10 vs RAADS-R
Two of the most widely used adult autism screens — and which one fits your situation.
At a Glance
| Length | 10 questions | 80 questions |
| Time to complete | ~3 minutes | ~20 minutes |
| Score range | 0–10 | 0–240 |
| Sub-scales | None — single total | Four (Social, Sensory-Motor, Language, Interests) |
| Cut-off | 6 (≥6 = screen-positive) | 65 threshold; 106+ consistent with autism |
| Sensitivity | 88% | 97% (Ritvo et al. 2011) |
| Specificity | 91% | 100% in original validation; lower in real-world use |
| NICE-recommended? | Yes — for primary care | No — research/clinical-adjacent use |
| Best for | Quick first-pass screen | Detailed sub-scale profile |
| Take it | AQ-10 | RAADS-R |
Overview
Both the AQ-10 and RAADS-R are validated adult autism screens, but they serve different purposes. The AQ-10 is fast and built for primary-care triage; the RAADS-R is comprehensive and built for diagnostic conversation. This page walks through the differences and when to use each.
When to Use Each
AQ-10
Use the AQ-10 when you want a fast first-pass screen, when a clinician needs a brief screening tool for primary-care triage, or when retaking a longer measure is impractical.
RAADS-R
Use the RAADS-R when you want depth — particularly if you suspect specific sub-scale traits (sensory-motor, language) that the AQ-10 doesn't fully probe. Bring the sub-scale breakdown to a clinical conversation.
Both
Many adults take both. Convergence between the two screens (both above their thresholds) strengthens the screen-positive picture; disagreement is itself diagnostically interesting.
Quick Decision Tree
- Have 3 minutes and want a quick triage? → AQ-10
- Have 20 minutes and want depth? → RAADS-R
- Borderline AQ-10 result? → Add the RAADS-R
- Suspect sensory-motor or language traits specifically? → RAADS-R sub-scales help
- Just want to know your total likelihood? → Either; both converge
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more accurate, AQ-10 or RAADS-R?
Both have strong validation. AQ-10 has 88% sensitivity / 91% specificity at its cut-off. RAADS-R has higher reported sensitivity (97%) but its specificity in real-world use is lower than in the original validation. Neither is 'more accurate' — they're built for different purposes.
Should I take both?
If you have time, yes — convergence between them strengthens the picture. The AQ-10 takes 3 minutes; the RAADS-R takes 20.
AQ-10 score 6 — what's the RAADS-R equivalent?
An AQ-10 of 6 typically corresponds to RAADS-R 100–130 — gray zone or just into 'consistent with autism'.
Which is recommended by clinicians?
AQ-10 is NICE-recommended for primary-care triage. RAADS-R is more commonly used in research and as a complement to clinical interview.
Can the two disagree?
Yes — and disagreement is informative. AQ-10 high but RAADS-R low can suggest social-anxiety masquerading as autism; AQ-10 low but RAADS-R high can suggest masked autism.
Which is better for late-diagnosed adults?
RAADS-R, generally — its sub-scale resolution helps when adult masking has muted overall AQ-10 endorsement but specific traits (sensory, language) remain pronounced.