Autism Spectrum Inventory

The IDRlabs Autism Spectrum Inventory (IDR-ASI) was developed by IDRlabs, inspired by research in autism spectrum disorders, including the work of Dr. Simon Baron-Cohen, Dr. Tony Attwood, and DSM-5 criteria. The IDR-ASI is not associated with any specific researchers in the field of autism or any affiliated research institutions.

Social Interaction Challenges: Individuals high in this trait often find social interactions difficult or overwhelming. They may struggle to interpret social cues, maintain reciprocal conversations, or form close relationships. For example, they might find it hard to understand sarcasm or prefer solitary activities over group settings (Baron-Cohen et al., 2001).

Detail-Oriented Cognition: People with high detail-oriented cognition tend to focus on specific details rather than the "big picture." This aligns with the "weak central coherence" theory of autism, where individuals excel at noticing patterns or minutiae but may struggle with global processing (Happé & Frith, 2006).

Emotional Regulation Difficulties: Individuals high in this trait may experience challenges regulating emotions, leading to intense reactions or meltdowns in response to sensory or social overload. This is common in ASD and linked to atypical amygdala responses (Mazefsky et al., 2013).

Routine Preference: People with high routine preference thrive on predictability and may feel distressed by changes in routine. This reflects the DSM-5 criterion of insistence on sameness, often seen in rigid behaviors or rituals (APA, 2013).

Sensory Sensitivities: Individuals high in sensory sensitivities are often hyper- or hypo-sensitive to sensory stimuli (e.g., sounds, textures). This is a core feature of ASD, with research showing atypical sensory processing in the brain (Marco et al., 2011).

Special Interests: People with high scores in special interests often engage deeply with specific topics or activities, dedicating significant time and focus to them. This is a hallmark of ASD, often linked to intense curiosity and expertise (Attwood, 2006).

Communication Differences: Individuals high in this trait may exhibit atypical communication patterns, such as literal language use, difficulty with nonverbal cues, or a preference for clear, direct communication (DSM-5; APA, 2013).

Cognitive Flexibility Challenges: People with this trait may struggle with adapting to new situations or shifting attention between tasks, reflecting executive functioning differences common in ASD (Hill, 2004).

As the publishers of this free online Autism Spectrum Inventory, which allows you to screen yourself for signs of autistic traits, we have striven to make the test as reliable and valid as possible by subjecting it to statistical controls and validation. However, free online quizzes such as the present ASI do not provide professional assessments or recommendations; the test is provided entirely “as-is.” For more information, please consult our Terms of Service