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Wri!en by:
April 4, 2020
RAADS–R
Last updated on May 15, 2023
Contents
1 – Who the test is designed for
2 – Versions & translations
3 – Taking the test
4 – Scoring
5 – Subscales
6 – Average scores
7 – Mean scores
8 – Validity
9 – Discussion
10 – The RAADS–R
11 – What do my scores mean?
12 – Statements per subscales
13 – Recommended next steps
14 – References
15 – Tags
16 – Disclaimer
13 min read
Basic information
Statements: 80
Duration: 10–30
minutes
Type: screening
tool
Original RAADS
Statements: 78
RAADS–R
Versions &
translations
The RAADS–R has been translated
into Swedish, and was
also available in most languages
through Google Translate. But as
of 13 January 2022, it seems the
online RAADS–R tests have been
taken down. As far as we know,
we are currently the only ones
who host the RAADS–R online,
albeit in English only.
Scoring
Thresholds
The scoring range of the RAADS–R
is 0–240. A score of 65+ indicates
you are likely autistic, as no
neurotypical scored above 64 in
the research. A score of <65
means you are likely not autistic
(97% chance of not being
autistic). However, note that no
single test is conclusive. For more
certainty, we suggest taking a few
other autism tests as well.
RAADS–R scores
Construct Threshold Maximum
score score
Language 4 21
Social 31 117
relatedness
Sensory– 16 60
motor
Circumscribed 15 42
interests
Scoring methods
You can take the test using two
methods:
Automated-scoring
Paper-based if you want
documentation of your
answers (you can find the
scoring key at the bottom of
the PDF)
Scoring
The scoring of most of the
statements (63) is as follows:
Subscales
Language
The language subscale is made up
of 7 statements. The focus of
these statements is on:
Social relatedness
The social relatedness subscale is
made up of 39 statements. The
focus of these statements is on:
Sensory–motor
The sensory–motor subscale is
made up of 20 statements. The
focus of these statements is on:
Circumscribed
interests
The circumscribed interests
subscale is made up of 14
statements. The focus of these
statements is on:
Average scores
The table below shows the
average total scores and
subscores for people taking the
RAADS-R online, divided by
autistic people, suspected autistic
people, and non-autistic people
(neurotypicals).
Average RAADS-R
scores
Total Language
! ! !
score
Mean scores
Because the table with average
scores is based on skewed data,
let me also present the mean
scores from Ritvo’s seminal paper:
[3]
Mean RAADS–R
scores
Mean Range Langu
! ! !
total
Asperger — — 10.06
(n = 135)
Validity
The RAADS–R is a reliable
instrument to assist the diagnosis
of autistic adults.[4]
RAADS-R validity
Measure Result Meaning
❝
A total RAADS–R score of
65 or higher is consistent
with the diagnosis of
autism and supports a
clinician’s diagnosis.
However, if there is a
difference between the
clinician’s diagnosis and
the RAADS–R diagnostic
assignment, the clinician’s
diagnosis should take
precedent. This is
because symptoms may
be revealed only during
an interview.
Discussion
Dr. Natalie Engelbrecht:
The test has been validated and
cited in the medical literature
numerous times. However, as
both an autistic and a
psychotherapist, I have some
concerns with the RAADS–R:
A lack of compassion
A dislike of close friendships
Monotonous speech
An inability to manage small
talk.
1. I am a sympathetic person
6. I can “put myself in other
people’s shoes”
11. I miss my best friends or
family when we are apart for a
long time.
18. I understand when friends
need to be comforted.
23. Meeting new people is
usually easy for me.
26. I like having a conversation
with several people, for
instance around a dinner
table, at school, or at work.
33. I speak with a normal
rhythm.
37. I am an understanding type
of person.
43. I like to talk things over
with my friends.
47. I feel very comfortable
dating or being in social
situations with others.
48. I try to be as helpful as I
can when other people tell me
their personal problems.
53. I am considered a
compassionate type of person.
58. I can chat and make small
talk with people.
62. I usually speak in a normal
tone.
68. I can tell when someone
says one thing but means
something else.
72. I enjoy spending time
eating and talking with my
family and friends.
77. I like to have close friends.
Kendall:
A significant percentage of the
statements are nearly impossible
for me to answer or, have no
appropriate answer. It feels like
throwing a dart at times; no
choice is accurate, just slightly
more or less accurate.
The RAADS–R
Please read each statement below
and choose the answer that best
fits your experiences during social
interactions.
1. I am a sympathetic
person.
a. True now and when I was
young
b. True only now
c. True only when I was
younger than 16
d. Never true
3. I am o$en surprised
when others tell me I have
been rude.
a. True now and when I was
young
b. True only now
c. True only when I was
younger than 16
d. Never true
37. I am an understanding
type of person.
a. True now and when I was
young
b. True only now
c. True only when I was
younger than 16
d. Never true
53. I am considered a
compassionate type of
person.
a. True now and when I was
young
b. True only now
c. True only when I was
younger than 16
d. Never true
Score
Total:
185
Language subtotal:
19
Social relatedness subtotal
73
Sensory/motor subtotal:
59
Circumscribed interests subto
34
Download PDF
What do my
scores mean?
All scores of 65 or higher are
indicative of autistic traits. The
higher the score, the more
autistic traits you have. In the
table below are general
interpretations of various total
scores on the RAADS–R.
Meaning of RAADS–R
scores
Score Interpretation
90 Stronger indications of
autism, although non-
autistics may score as high.
Statements per
subscales
Below you can see which
statements of the RAADS–R
belong to which of the subscales.
Double-click or tap on a subscale
to see all statements for that
subscale grouped together.
Statements per
subscales
Statement Social Langu
! !
relatedness
1 ✘
2 ✘
3 ✘
5 ✘
6 ✘
7 ✘
8 ✘
10
11 ✘
12 ✘
13
14 ✘
15 ✘
16
17 ✘
18 ✘
19
20 ✘
21 ✘
22 ✘
23 ✘
24
25 ✘
26 ✘
27 ✘
28 ✘
29
30
31 ✘
32
33
34
35 ✘
36
37 ✘
38 ✘
39 ✘
40
41
42
43 ✘
44 ✘
45 ✘
46
47 ✘
48 ✘
49
50
51
52
53 ✘
54 ✘
55 ✘
56
57
58 ✘
59
60 ✘
61 ✘
62
63
64 ✘
65
66 ✘
67
68 ✘
69 ✘
70
71
72 ✘
73
74
75
76 ✘
77 ✘
78
79 ✘
80 ✘
Recommended
next steps
After the RAADS–R, consider
taking one of the tests
below.
Autism Spectrum
Quotient
A simple screening test that
is used as a basis
for pursuing a formal autism
evaluation
CAT-Q
Measures camouflaging, and
can account
for lower scores on other
autism tests
Aspie Quiz
Identifies neurodivergence
and
potential co-occurring
conditions
Online autism
assessments
References
References
1↑ A Scale to Assist the
Diagnosis of Autism and
Asperger’s Disorder in
Adults (RAADS): A Pilot
Study (Ritvo et al., 2008)
Tags
Camouflaging (31)
Mentalization (1)
Test–retest reliability
(statistics) (7)
Related posts
The CAT-Q
Previous Next
This article
was wri!en by:
Dr. Engelbrecht ND
RP & Eva Silvertant
Dr. Natalie Engelbrecht ND RP is
a dually licensed registered
psychotherapist and
naturopathic doctor, and a
Canadian leader in trauma and
PTSD, and she happens to be
autistic; she was diagnosed at
46.
Disclaimer
Although our content is generally
well-researched and
substantiated, or based on
personal experience, note that it
does not constitute medical
advice.
Comments
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i got Total:
53
Language subtotal:
Social relatedness
subtotal:
21
Sensory/motor subtotal:
15
Circumscribed interests
subtotal:
12
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