APED-Q
ActiveAutistic Phenotype & Executive Demand Questionnaire
A 72-item instrument assessing autistic trait load across 12 domains — 6 core neurocognitive domains and 6 extended life-impact domains. Available in adult, youth, and child/parent versions with age-adapted item wording.
Total Items
72
Domains
12 (6+6)
Versions
3 (A/Y/C)
Response Scale
0–3
Core Domains
Six neurocognitive domains, each measured by 6 items. These capture the primary autistic experience dimensions.
Sensory Processing
Sound sensitivity, texture responses, smell reactivity, and environmental control needs.
6 items
Social Navigation
Interaction effort, social cue reading, group dynamics, and social energy management.
6 items
Executive Demand
Task switching, processing speed, planning under uncertainty, and cognitive flexibility.
6 items
Emotional Regulation
Overwhelm threshold, emotion identification (alexithymia), shutdown/meltdown, and recovery time.
6 items
Communication Effort
Conversational timing, literal vs figurative processing, modality preference, and scripting.
6 items
Behavioural Adaptation
Impulse control, repetitive behaviour patterns, routine needs, and change adaptation.
6 items
Extended Domains
Six life-impact domains capturing functional effects and strengths. Each measured by 6 items.
Identity
Self-concept, identity integration, masking costs, and authentic self-expression.
6 items
Relationships
Intimate relationships, connection patterns, trust, and interpersonal boundaries.
6 items
Work
Professional/academic functioning, workplace adaptation, and productivity patterns.
6 items
Daily Living
Daily living skills, self-care, household management, and routine maintenance.
6 items
Health
Physical health, health management, pain sensitivity, and interoception.
6 items
Strengths
Special interests, pattern recognition, strengths awareness, and passion-driven capacity.
6 items
Age Versions
The same 72 items with age-appropriate language across three versions.
Adult
Ages 18+
Full 72-item self-report for adults. Primary version.
Youth
Ages 11–17
Adolescent-adapted wording. Same 12 domains, adjusted language and examples.
Child / Parent
Ages 6–10
Parent/carer report form with child-appropriate item translations.
Sample Items
Representative items from selected domains. Full item bank available under license.
“Certain sounds that others seem fine with cause me significant distress or discomfort.”
“Social interactions require a level of effort and energy that others don't seem to experience.”
“Switching between different types of tasks feels like it takes extra mental effort.”
“I tend to take things literally and sometimes miss sarcasm or implied meaning.”
“When I am engaged in a special interest, I can focus intensely for extended periods.”
Scoring & Interpretation
Response Scale
4-point scale: Minimal (0), Mild (1), Moderate (2), Substantial (3)
Domain Scores
Raw and percentage scores for each of the 12 domains, both core and extended.
Interpretation Bands
Per-domain severity classification from Minimal through to Substantial trait load.
Clinical Flags
Automated flags for clinically significant patterns, including camouflaging and burnout indicators.
Outputs
Domain Scores
Raw and percentage scores for all 12 domains with visual profile.
Interpretation Bands
Per-domain classification from Minimal to Substantial.
Clinical Flags
Pattern-based flags for camouflaging, burnout, and high-risk combinations.
Adjustment Recs
Domain-specific recommendations for reasonable adjustments.
Use the APED-Q
Free for clinical and research use. Contact us for licensing details or collaboration opportunities.