RAADSR (Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised)

Overview

• Type: Self-report questionnaire
• Purpose: Identify adult autistics with subclinical presentations
• Statements: 80
• Duration: 1030 minutes
• Authors: Riva Ariella Ritvo et al.
• Publishing Year: 2011
• Original RAADS: Published in 2008 with 78 statements

Target Audience

• Adults aged 16+ with ASD level 1 or subclinical autism
• Adults with normal IQ (≥80)

Test Features

• Translations: Available in Swedish and most languages via Google Translate (test is now hosted online only in English)
• Method: Self-report, clinician assistance possible if needed
• DSM-5 Diagnostic Categories:
  • Language
  • Social Relatedness
  • Sensorymotor
  • Circumscribed Interests

Scoring

• Range: 0-240
• Threshold Score: 65+
  • Indicates likely autism
  • Scores below 65 suggest non-autistic
• Subscale Thresholds:
  • Language: 4
  • Social Relatedness: 31
  • Sensorymotor: 16
  • Circumscribed Interests: 15

Scoring Methods

• Automated-scoring
• Paper-based

Subscales

Language

• Focuses on movie talk, small talk, and being literal

Social Relatedness

• Includes topics like mentalization, mutual interests, outsider perspectives, bluntness, and nonverbal communication

Sensorymotor

• Covers voice volume challenges, motor control issues, and sensory sensitivities

Circumscribed Interests

• Details preference, upset by change, and special interests

Validity

• Sensitivity: 97%
• Specificity: 100%
• Concurrent Validity: 96%
• Test-retest reliability: 0.987

Criticisms

• Some statements may be demeaning or not characteristic of autism
• Some questions focus on alexithymia rather than autism
• Test has strong validity, but clinicians sometimes misidentify autistic adults

Scores Interpretation

• 25: Not autistic
• 50: Some traits, likely not autistic
• 65: Autism considered
• 90: Strong indications of autism
• 130: Mean score for autistic people
• 160: Very strong evidence for autism
• 227: Maximum score in a study
• 240: Maximum possible score

Recommended Next Steps

• Consider taking additional tests:
  • Autism Spectrum Quotient
  • CAT-Q
  • Aspie Quiz