2026-07-27

Adult Autism Screening Questionnaire: RAADS-14 Guide

Bandai Choi Practical Guides adult autism, autism assessment, autism screening, RAADS-14

Adult autism screening and exploration guide

By Bandai Choi, Clinical Psychologist | Board-approved supervisor | Reviewed: August 2026 | 7 min read

Bandai Choi
Clinical Psychologist | Board-approved supervisor
Breathe-n-Smile Psychology, Essendon North, Footscray and telehealth across Australia

The RAADS-14 is a 14-item adult autism screening questionnaire. It gives a score from 0 to 42 and uses a published screening cutoff of 14, but the result is not a diagnosis or probability. It may help organise questions for a health professional when considered alongside development, daily functioning and other possible explanations.

TL;DR

The RAADS-14 is a 14-item adult autism screening questionnaire, not a diagnostic assessment.
The published screening cutoff is 14 out of 42, but the score does not estimate the probability of autism.
ADHD and other psychiatric conditions included in validation studies could also produce elevated scores.
Your answers and result stay in this browser. The page does not save or send them.

Before you start

The result is not a diagnosis.
Your answers stay in this browser and are not saved.
Choose one response for every statement before viewing your result.

Why the cutoff needs care: In the original adult psychiatric sample, a cutoff of 14 or above identified most autistic participants, but specificity was limited. ADHD and other psychiatric conditions in the validation groups could also produce elevated scores. A lower score does not rule out autism.

RAADS-14 Screen

Which response best describes you?

0 of 14 answered

Choose one response for each statement. Think about both your current and earlier experiences.

1It is difficult for me to understand how other people are feeling when we are talking. True now and when I was young True only now True only when I was younger than 16 Never true

2Some ordinary textures that do not bother others feel very offensive when they touch my skin. True now and when I was young True only now True only when I was younger than 16 Never true

3It is very difficult for me to work and function in groups. True now and when I was young True only now True only when I was younger than 16 Never true

4It is difficult to figure out what other people expect of me. True now and when I was young True only now True only when I was younger than 16 Never true

5I often don’t know how to act in social situations. True now and when I was young True only now True only when I was younger than 16 Never true

6I can chat and make small talk with people. True now and when I was young True only now True only when I was younger than 16 Never true

7When I feel overwhelmed by my senses, I have to isolate myself to shut them down. True now and when I was young True only now True only when I was younger than 16 Never true

8How to make friends and socialize is a mystery to me. True now and when I was young True only now True only when I was younger than 16 Never true

9When talking to someone, I have a hard time telling when it is my turn to talk or to listen. True now and when I was young True only now True only when I was younger than 16 Never true

10Sometimes I have to cover my ears to block out painful noises (like vacuum cleaners or people talking too much or too loudly). True now and when I was young True only now True only when I was younger than 16 Never true

11It can be very hard to read someone’s face, hand, and body movements when we are talking. True now and when I was young True only now True only when I was younger than 16 Never true

12I focus on details rather than the overall idea. True now and when I was young True only now True only when I was younger than 16 Never true

13I take things too literally, so I often miss what people are trying to say. True now and when I was young True only now True only when I was younger than 16 Never true

14I get extremely upset when the way I like to do things is suddenly changed. True now and when I was young True only now True only when I was younger than 16 Never true

Please answer all 14 statements before viewing the result.

This is not a diagnosis or probability. ADHD, anxiety and other experiences may also affect the score.

Autism and AuDHD assessment Read about autistic masking

Optional reflection, not part of the RAADS-14

Add some context

These prompts are not scored. Use them only if they help you prepare for a discussion.

I remember similar patterns during childhood or adolescence, even if they looked different then. The experiences occur across more than one setting, such as home, work, study or relationships. Preparation, masking or recovery time may make the effort less visible to other people. The pattern affects daily functioning, wellbeing, relationships or access to suitable support. I know what I would like help understanding, with or without a diagnosis.

Understanding your RAADS-14 score

A total of 14 or above meets the published screening cutoff. In the original adult psychiatric sample, this cutoff identified most autistic participants, but specificity was limited. Many participants with ADHD or other psychiatric diagnoses also met the cutoff.

The result may help you organise a discussion. It cannot identify which explanation fits best, estimate the probability of autism or replace a broader assessment. A score below 14 does not rule out autism.

What could you do next?

Discuss the pattern

Bring the score and a few everyday examples to a qualified health professional.

Learn about assessment

Read about the adult autism and AuDHD assessment process.

Seek support without diagnosis

Support can address sensory needs, communication, exhaustion or daily functioning.

What does an assessment consider?

A fuller assessment considers development, patterns across settings, daily functioning, strengths, support needs and other possible explanations. Older records or another person’s observations may help when available, but they are not always accessible. Autism and ADHD can also coexist. Read more about autism and ADHD overlap in adults.

Autism and AuDHD assessment Read this related guide for a fuller explanation of Autism and AuDHD assessment.
Read about autistic masking Read this related guide for a fuller explanation of Read about autistic masking.
autism and ADHD overlap in adults Read this related guide for a fuller explanation of autism and ADHD overlap in adults.

Ask a practical question

You can ask a brief administrative question about appointments, location or next steps. Please do not include detailed clinical history or urgent information in an ordinary web enquiry.

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About the RAADS-14 Screen

Jonna M. Eriksson, Lisa M.J. Andersen and Susanne Bejerot developed the RAADS-14 from the longer RAADS-R. The original article and supplementary questionnaire are available under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 licence.

Reference: Eriksson JM, Andersen LMJ, Bejerot S. (2013). RAADS-14 Screen: validity of a screening tool for autism spectrum disorder in an adult psychiatric population. Molecular Autism, 4, 49. https://doi.org/10.1186/2040-2392-4-49

Licence: Original research article and supplementary material distributed under CC BY 2.0.

Original RAADS-14 study and questionnaire · Later adult outpatient study of the related RAADS-R measure

General information only. This screening result does not replace individual psychological or medical advice.

Common questions

Can the RAADS-14 diagnose autism?

No. The RAADS-14 is a screening questionnaire. Autism diagnosis requires a broader assessment of developmental history, current functioning, context, other possible explanations and information from other sources where appropriate.

Does a score of 14 mean I am probably autistic?

No. It is a screening cutoff, not a probability. ADHD and other psychiatric conditions included in validation studies may also produce elevated scores.

Can masking affect an autism screening result?

Possibly. Masking may affect how someone interprets or answers self-report items, but the RAADS-14 has not established a masking adjustment. An assessment can explore masking, context and recovery effort.

Does a score below 14 rule out autism?

No. A score below the published cutoff does not rule out autism. You can still discuss longstanding concerns with a suitably qualified health professional.

Have an administrative question about assessment?

Call 0431 828 769, email reception@breathe-n-smile.com, or use the contact form to ask about availability, fees or the assessment process.

Please avoid including sensitive clinical information in ordinary email or website messages.