RAADS-R Sample Items

RAADS-R Sample Questions

The RAADS-R (Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised) has 80 items across four sub-scales: Social Relatedness, Sensory-Motor, Circumscribed Interests, and Language. Below are sample items from each sub-scale, with response options and scoring notes.

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Sample Questions

1. I am a sympathetic person.
Answer: Reverse-scored. 'Only when I was younger' or 'Never true' scores 1.
Social Relatedness sub-scale. Reverse-keyed because most non-autistic people endorse sympathy.
2. I often use words and phrases from movies and television in conversations.
Answer: 'True now and when I was young' scores 3.
Language sub-scale. Probes echolalic or scripted communication patterns.
3. I am often surprised when others tell me I have been rude.
Answer: 'True now and when I was young' scores 3.
Social Relatedness. Probes social-cue blindness without awareness.
4. Sometimes I talk too loudly or too softly, and I am not aware of it.
Answer: 'True now and when I was young' scores 3.
Sensory-Motor. Probes prosody and voice modulation.
5. I often don't know how to act in social situations.
Answer: 'True now and when I was young' scores 3.
Social Relatedness. Probes general social uncertainty.
6. When I feel overwhelmed by my senses, I have to isolate myself to shut them down.
Answer: 'True now and when I was young' scores 3.
Sensory-Motor. Probes sensory overload and recovery strategies.
7. I focus on details rather than the overall idea.
Answer: 'True now and when I was young' scores 3.
Circumscribed Interests. Probes detail-focus over big-picture.
8. I take things too literally, so I often miss what people are trying to say.
Answer: 'True now and when I was young' scores 3.
Language. Probes literal-vs-figurative comprehension.
9. I get extremely upset when the way I like to do things is suddenly changed.
Answer: 'True now and when I was young' scores 3.
Circumscribed Interests. Probes preference for routine and resistance to change.
10. I am very interested in finding out how things work.
Answer: Reverse-scored.
Circumscribed Interests. Reverse-keyed because curiosity about systems is widespread.

How It's Scored

Each item is rated on a 4-point scale: 'True now and when I was young' (3), 'True only now' (2), 'True only when I was younger than 16' (1), 'Never true' (0). Some items are reverse-scored. Total ranges 0–240. The threshold is 65; 106+ is 'consistent with autism'; 140+ is 'pronounced traits'. Hegarty et al. (2025) refined the gray-zone interpretation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What RAADS-R score suggests autism?

A total score of 65 or above (out of a maximum 240) is the published threshold at which further autism assessment is recommended. Higher scores reflect more autistic traits across the four sub-scales.

How is the RAADS-R different from the AQ-10?

The RAADS-R is much longer — 80 items versus 10 — and its response options capture whether a trait applies now, only when you were young, or both, giving a developmental picture the AQ-10 cannot.

Is the RAADS-R a diagnosis?

No. It was designed as a clinical aid to assist diagnosticians, and it was validated on adults of average or above-average intelligence. A positive screen should be followed by a professional evaluation.

How is the RAADS-R scored?

Each of the 80 items is scored 0–3 based on the response chosen, and normative (non-autistic-keyed) items are reverse-scored. The four sub-scale totals — Social Relatedness, Sensory-Motor, Circumscribed Interests, and Language — add up to the overall score.

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