The New Autism Quotient Test
Purpose: The old AQ test is based on outdated and harmful data that even the author of the test has changed his beliefs about (yay scientists!). Additionally, the test is flawed in its scoring system, weighting all questions and answers the same. For example: slightly agree and definitely agree are worth one ‘autism point’. That said, “we” (the autistic community) like to say that we can spot a neurodiverse individual far better than any NT doctor or quiz. So I say, let’s put our money where our mouth is and actually do it. The 40ish (right now) questions that I’ve come up with so far are based on rewriting some of the more subjective questions from the AQ, eliminating ableism or prejudice from the questions (as best possible), and adding questions as needed to explore some of the autistic traits that have been frequently referred to by individuals on social media, in forums, etc. but are not reflected on the original AQ.
The Revised AQ test was created by Tweed Jefferson and friends.
To be a part of this project through research, community outreach, or idea-making, please let us know on the last page of the quiz or send a message through the contact form on this site. Thank you for your interest and support of The New AQ!
I’m on the spectrum, our contributors are on the spectrum. Most of us have degrees or experience in the hard and soft sciences. Some are autistic people who don’t work in the field. Many of us ND folks advocate for scientific method and, at the same time, like to think outside-of-the-box. It’s my belief that these unique ways of thought can find a comprehensive diagnostic that can be used by individuals and professionals alike. And, not to be redundant, but there is no ‘winning’ the AQ test. There isn’t any treatment for autism, except for comorbid symptoms, and even if there was, many of us would prefer to embrace and be embraced for who we are. This is intended to be a tool to help individuals understand themselves and their world better.
Eventually, if there is a surplus of data, we may publish. Graduate students who are specializing in neurodiverse psychology (what they call ‘abnormal psychology’) are invited to use our research for their papers or offer their own research and knowledge to this project. We’d also be interested in putting your writing on the subject in the theoretical book.
And while we’re on the whole ‘abnormal’ psychology thing, can we stop calling it “behavioral health”? This implies that people need to behave a certain way to be considered valuable, valid, or part of a community. Some of us Neurodiverse folks don’t agree with that philosophy.
This test has little to do with Squill Publishing, I’m just hosting it on my site.