Do you or your child have autism? Take the NHS test – as the waiting list for diagnosis reaches a record-high

DO you, or your child, struggle to read others’ emotions, find it hard to express how you feel, or have an exceptionally good eye for detail?

These are all key questions from a quiz designed to help identify symptoms of autism, a lifelong developmental disability.

Take the test below.

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The assessment tool — used by NHS doctors — does not confirm whether you are on the spectrum.

Instead, it is used to screen people who think they might have the condition. A version for children is also available.

Medics who suspect patients to be autistic based on their answers to the quiz are typically referred for specialist assessments. 

It comes as waiting lists for diagnosis in England reach a record-high.

The test contains ten statements about your outlook on life and asks you to determine how much you agree with each using a scoring system of points from one to 10.

Examples include: “I often notice small sounds when others do not”, I find it easy to do more than one thing at once”, and “I find it difficult to work out people’s intentions”.

If you score six or more, your GP might consider referring for further tests.

This does not mean you definitely have autism, however. 

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, which links to the tool in its autism advice page, says the tool — called AQ-10 — is a “good place to start” if you are looking for a test to see if you may be autistic. 

The trust says the test gives a “general indication of whether someone might have autism”.

It says: “If you suspect that you may be autistic, you can then make an appointment to see a GP.”

What is autism?

It is estimated that around 700,000 people, including adults and children, in the UK have an autism diagnosis. 

However, there are many adults who are still unaware that they are on the spectrum. 

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the name for a range of similar conditions, including Asperger syndrome, that affect a person’s social interaction, communication, interests and behaviour.

People on the autism spectrum may, for example, be under or oversensitive to sounds, touch, tastes, smells, light, or colours.

They may experience intense anxiety around unexpected change and in social situations.

However, no two people with ASD have the exact same set of symptoms.

While the conditions are most often diagnosed in toddlers, it’s possible for adults on the spectrum to go undiagnosed.

One in 100 people have autism

However, new figures suggest people in England are experiencing severely long waits for diagnoses.

Nine out of 10 patients were waiting longer than the recommended 13 weeks, the data shows.

Experts called the system “broken” and called for change or risk people missing out on “early vital support”.

There were 187,567 people in England waiting for an autism assessment for the month, another record high and up 22 per cent from 153,969 in June 2023, according to NHS Digital.

The figure is also nine times the 20,509 people who were waiting five years earlier in June 2019.

Of the total, almost two thirds – or 117,494 – were children (under the age of 18).

Mel Merritt, head of policy and campaigns at the National Autistic Society, said: “Rocketing waiting lists mean people are waiting years for an autism assessment and missing out on early vital support. This broken system must change.”

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance states that no-one should wait longer than 13 weeks for an assessment.

Of June’s total, some 163,666 people – or nine in 10 – had been waiting for more than 13 weeks for an assessment, including 101,987 who were aged 0 to 17.

Ms Merritt added: “An autism assessment can be the first step to understanding people’s needs and although they shouldn’t be, people are often told they can’t get support without a diagnosis.

“Getting the NHS back on its feet means fixing the crisis in diagnosis waiting times. People across the country are depending on the Government to end this scandal.”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “The NHS is broken and there are unacceptable delays in autism diagnosis – we are working hard to fix this.

“We are committed to reducing waiting times and ensuring people with autism can access high-quality care and support more quickly.”

Experts are also putting long waitlists down to – in part- increased public awareness of the condition.

Dr Conor Davidson, autism champion for the Royal College of Psychiatrists, previously said: “Public awareness of autism has significantly increased in recent years, and this has led to a seismic rise in the number of people coming forward for support.

“It is estimated that at least one per cent of the population is autistic so it is likely demand will continue to grow in the coming years.”

He added that the “vast majority of people are facing unacceptable waits for an assessment, and we cannot allow this to become normal”.

If you’re interested in being evaluated for autism, begin with your family doctor, who will evaluate you to be certain that there isn’t an underlying physical illness accounting for your behaviours.

Your doctor may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for in-depth assessment.