What Does Autism Screening Self-Report Involve?

PostedNovember 10, 2025

UpdatedNovember 10, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Lucia Alvarez, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Self-report in autism screening is an important tool used to assess autism traits in both children and adults. This method involves individuals providing information about their own behaviours, experiences, and symptoms. In the context of autism screening, self-report questionnaires and tools help healthcare providers gather personal insights into the individual’s social interactions, communication patterns, and repetitive behaviours, which are characteristic of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

For adults, self-assessment tools like the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) test allow individuals to reflect on their own behaviours and traits, helping to identify potential signs of autism that may not have been diagnosed in childhood.

How Self-Report in Autism Screening Works

Here’s how self-report in autism screening is structured:

Personal Reflection:

The individual answers a series of questions about their behaviours, preferences, and challenges. For instance, questions may ask about difficulties with social interactions, sensitivity to sensory stimuli, or the tendency to engage in repetitive activities. These self-reported insights help to assess whether the individual exhibits common autism traits.

Adult Screening:

While self-report is commonly used for children, it is especially valuable in adult screening. Adults who may have been missed by earlier diagnoses or who suspect they have undiagnosed autism can use self-report tools to understand their behaviours better. This approach helps individuals seek appropriate support, whether through formal diagnosis or therapeutic interventions.

Self-Assessment:

These tools are designed to be straightforward and allow the person to answer honestly and openly. These tools typically use a Likert scale (strongly agree to strongly disagree) to assess the degree of agreement with various statements about social and behavioural traits, making it easy for individuals to complete.

Self-report in autism screening helps provide a clearer picture of autism traits in both children and adults, allowing for more targeted interventions. For expert advice and personalised consultations, visit providers like Autism Detect for guidance on navigating the screening and diagnostic process.

For a deeper dive into the science, diagnosis, and full treatment landscape, read our complete guide to Autism Screening and Assessment Tools.

Lucia Alvarez, MSc

Author

Lucia Alvarez is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and extensive experience providing evidence-based therapy and psychological assessment to children, adolescents, and adults. Skilled in CBT, DBT, and other therapeutic interventions, she has worked in hospital, community, and residential care settings. Her expertise includes grief counseling, anxiety management, and resilience-building, with a strong focus on creating safe, supportive environments to improve mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy.

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.