Doctor shares ten questions that could reveal if you're on the autism spectrum
The prompts are taken from the AQ-19 test, a widely used screening tool for people aged 16 and over, which helps doctors decide whether a full autism assessment is necessary.
The self-report test asks participants to rate a series of statements using responses such as 'definitely agree', 'slightly agree' or 'definitely disagree'. It explores areas including sensory processing, social interaction, need for routine, and ability to cope with change.
Raising awareness: In a viral TikTok video, London-based Dr Sermed Mezher has shared a questionnaire that you can take if you think you have autism
The AQ-10 I often notice small sounds when others do not. When I'm reading a story, I find it difficult to work out the characters' intentions. I find it easy to 'read between the lines' when someone is talking to me. I usually concentrate more on the whole picture, rather than the small details. I know how to tell if someone listening to me is getting bored. I find it easy to do more than one thing at once. I find it easy to work out what someone is thinking or feeling just by looking at their face. If there is an interruption, I can switch back to what I was doing very quickly. I like to collect information about categories of things. I find it difficult to work out people's intentions.
If you selected the following, you get one point per each prompt: Agree Agree Disagree Disagree Disagree Disagree Disagree Disagree Agree Agree
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While some critics have argued autism is now being overdiagnosed, others say the rise is due to growing awareness of how the condition presents – particularly in girls and women, who were historically underdiagnosed.
Autism has long been viewed as a predominantly male condition – with earlier studies suggesting a male-to-female diagnosis ratio of 3:1. But growing evidence suggests this gap may be down to gender bias in how the condition is recognized and assessed.
One recent analysis estimated that if these biases were accounted for, the true ratio could be closer to 1.8:1. Experts now believe many girls and women are slipping through the cracks because they're better at masking their symptoms – either consciously or subconsciously – in order to fit in socially.
Earlier this year, Professor Ahmed Hankir – a UK professor and consultant psychiatrist working in Canada – shared five common signs of autism in women in a viral TikTok video.
Top of the list was stimming, which refers to repetitive or ritualistic movements such as skin picking, rocking, hand flapping, feet rubbing or hair twirling.
Statistics: The number of diagnoses of autism among both men and women have both increased over the 20 year period, but autism diagnoses had particularly grown among females
The second he highlighted was emotional dysregulation and meltdowns which he said can be overwhelming.
A 'meltdown' is a physical reaction to an overwhelming emotional or sensory experience and all adults across the spectrum can be vulnerable to them.
The loss of control may be shown through crying, screaming or even physically lashing out.
The third trait he highlighted was camouflaging or aka 'masking' which we previously mentioned.
But he added: 'It can drain their social battery and result in emotional, physical and mental exhaustion, which can then lead to burnout.'
The fourth trait was sensory sensitivity which he explained can involve smells, tastes, pressure touch and sounds.
Meanwhile, the fifth trait was intense interests, which he revealed, may in fact seem to be 'perfectly normal'.
But the differences lie in the fact the fact for an autistic person the interest becomes 'almost necessary rather than optional'.
In comparison to autistic men, who often have focused interests in niche topics such as transport links, girls' intense interests may be more 'socially acceptable'.
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