scienceAssessment Science

How Our Assessment Works

This page documents the design principles, evidence base, and scoring methodology behind our 30-question neurodivergent screening tool — transparently, so you know exactly what you’re getting.

quiz30 Questions

category3 Domains

lock100% Private

timer8–12 Minutes

Design Principles

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Privacy-First Architecture

All scoring happens client-side in your browser. Your answers are never transmitted to our servers, stored in any database, or associated with your identity. Closing the tab erases the data.

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Trait-Based Language

Results describe trait patterns — not diagnoses. We use language like "strong ADHD traits" rather than "you have ADHD." Only a qualified clinician can diagnose. We help you identify what to explore.

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Inclusive by Design

The assessment explicitly accounts for masking and camouflaging — common in women, girls, and culturally marginalised groups — reducing the historic under-identification these populations face from standard tools.

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Psychometric Grounding

Questions are informed by clinically validated instruments: DSM-5, ASRS-v1.1, AQ-10, RAADS-R, and CAT-Q. Items were adapted for plain-language accessibility without sacrificing construct validity.

The Three Assessment Domains

Our assessment maps responses across three clinically-grounded domains, each covering distinct but often co-occurring trait clusters.

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ADHD Traits

10 questions

Maps attention, impulse control, executive function, and hyperactivity traits against DSM-5 ADHD criteria and ASRS-v1.1 validated items. Questions use a 3-month timeframe consistent with clinical screening standards.

Attention RegulationHyperactivityExecutive FunctionTime ManagementEmotional DysregulationOrganisation

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Autism Traits

10 questions

Covers the two DSM-5 autism domains — social communication differences and restricted/repetitive behaviours — plus sensory processing and interoceptive awareness, informed by AQ-10 and RAADS-R item structure.

Social CommunicationSensory ProcessingRoutine & RigiditySpecial InterestsInteroceptionDetail Focus

Cross-Cutting Factors

8 questions

Captures shared traits that span both ADHD and autism — including masking (CAT-Q informed), rejection sensitive dysphoria, and demand avoidance. These factors frequently drive referral and are missed by single-condition tools.

Masking / CamouflagingPerfectionismRejection SensitivityExecutive FatigueEmotional OverwhelmSleep DifferencesInteroceptionTransitions

Scoring Methodology

straightenThe 5-Point Likert Scale

Each question uses a frequency-based 5-point scale, consistent with the ASRS-v1.1 and DSM-5 severity qualifiers. A sixth option — Not Applicable — is available for questions that don’t apply to someone’s context.

Never

Rarely

Sometimes

Often

Very Often

N/A

Not Applicable

calculateDomain Score Calculation

Each domain score is the mean of valid (non-N/A) responses within that domain. N/A responses are excluded entirely, so they don’t penalise people whose life circumstances make certain questions irrelevant.

Domain Score = Sum of valid responses ÷ Number of valid responses

Overall Score = (ADHD + Autism + Cross-Cutting) ÷ 3

bar_chartScore Interpretation Thresholds

4.0 – 5.0

Strong traits

Consistent, high-frequency patterns that significantly affect daily life. Professional evaluation is recommended.

3.0 – 3.9

Moderate traits

Noticeable patterns affecting some areas of life. Worth discussing with a GP or specialist.

2.0 – 2.9

Mild / sub-threshold

Some traits present but at lower frequency. May reflect subclinical differences or contextual stress.

1.0 – 1.9

Minimal traits

Few or no consistent patterns in this domain. Results still provide useful self-knowledge.

Limitations & Caveats

This is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. Results indicate patterns worth exploring — they cannot confirm or rule out a clinical diagnosis. Only a qualified mental health or medical professional can diagnose ADHD, autism, or related conditions.

Self-report limitations apply. Like all self-report tools, results are influenced by self-awareness, current mood, and how honestly questions are answered. Trait-blind masking can cause under-reporting in people who have camouflaged their traits for many years.

This tool was not normed on a clinical population. Thresholds are derived from validated instrument cut-offs and clinical literature, not from a de-novo normative sample. Treat scores as directional signals.

Cultural and linguistic factors. The assessment was developed in English and may not fully capture how neurodivergent traits present across different cultures, languages, and social contexts. We are working to improve representation.

Psychometric Evidence Base

Our questions are adapted from — or informed by — the following peer-reviewed instruments. We do not reproduce them verbatim; items were rewritten for plain-language accessibility.

DSM-5

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition

American Psychiatric Association (2013)

Relevance: ADHD and autism diagnostic criteria; 3-month symptom timeframe for ADHD items

ASRS-v1.1

Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale

Kessler et al. (2005) — World Health Organization

Relevance: Structure and wording of ADHD attention and hyperactivity items

AQ-10

Autism Spectrum Quotient — 10 item version

Allison, Auyeung & Baron-Cohen (2012)

Relevance: Social communication and cognitive style item framing

CAT-Q

Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire

Hull et al. (2019) — Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

Relevance: Masking/camouflaging cross-cutting question design

RAADS-R

Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale — Revised

Ritvo et al. (2011)

Relevance: Sensory motor, menstruation-related and circumscribed interests item structure

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this test clinically validated?expand_more

Our screening tool is grounded in clinically-validated frameworks — including DSM-5 criteria, the ASRS-v1.1, and the CAT-Q — but is itself a screening instrument, not a validated clinical assessment. It identifies trait patterns worth exploring with a professional, and cannot replace a formal diagnostic evaluation.

How is my score calculated?expand_more

Each domain (ADHD, Autism, Cross-Cutting) receives a score between 1 and 5 based on the mean of your valid responses on the 5-point Likert scale. 'Not Applicable' responses are excluded from the average so they don't deflate your score. The overall score is the mean of the three domain scores.

Why do you include autism AND ADHD in one test?expand_more

Approximately 50-70% of autistic people also meet criteria for ADHD (often called AuDHD). The conditions share overlapping traits — executive dysfunction, sensory sensitivities, emotional dysregulation — and frequently co-occur. A combined assessment with cross-cutting factors gives a more accurate picture than siloed ADHD-only or autism-only tools.

Does the test account for masking?expand_more

Yes. The Cross-Cutting domain includes a dedicated masking/camouflaging question informed by the CAT-Q (Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire). Masking is particularly prevalent in women, girls, and people socialised to suppress neurodivergent behaviours, so we deliberately include it to reduce under-identification.

Is my data stored anywhere?expand_more

No. All assessment processing happens 100% in your browser using client-side JavaScript. Your answers are never sent to our servers, never stored in a database, and never shared with third parties. When you close the browser, the data is gone.

Who should I see after taking this test?expand_more

For ADHD, consider a psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, or ADHD specialist. For autism, a clinical psychologist or neuropsychologist with autism assessment experience is recommended. Your GP or primary care physician is a good starting point for referrals. Bring your results as a conversation starter, not as a diagnosis.

Ready to take the assessment?

30 questions. 8–12 minutes. Immediate trait-level results across ADHD, autism, and cross-cutting cognitive domains. 100% private.

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