About APED-Q

Autism Profile Expression & Demands Questionnaire

Our Philosophy

APED-Q is built on a fundamental principle: autism is not something to diagnose as present or absent, but a pattern of processing, effort, and impact that varies across individuals and contexts.

We focus on how autism shows up - not whether someone "has" it. This means measuring:

  • 1
    Processing Style

    How information and interaction are handled differently

  • 2
    Compensatory Effort

    The hidden work required to function in neurotypical environments

  • 3
    Functional Cost

    The downstream impact on capacity, energy, and recovery

What APED-Q Is Not

  • Not a diagnostic tool - it does not determine whether someone is autistic
  • Not pass/fail - there are no cutoffs or thresholds
  • Not deficit-focused - we don't frame differences as problems
  • Not a replacement for clinical assessment - results should be interpreted with professional guidance where appropriate

What APED-Q Is

  • A dimensional profiler - showing patterns across multiple domains
  • Strengths-aware - identifying positive aspects of autistic processing
  • Action-oriented - generating specific support strategies
  • Support-focused - emphasizing "what helps" rather than "what's wrong"

Available Versions

Adult Self-Report

For adults (18+) completing the questionnaire about their own experiences.

Young Person (12-17)

Age-appropriate language for adolescents completing about themselves.

Child/Parent Report (6-11)

For parents or caregivers reporting on behalf of a child.

Assessment Options

Core Assessment

36 items covering the six core domains of how autism presents.

Suitable for initial profiling and time-sensitive contexts.

Extended Assessment

72 items covering core domains plus extended areas including identity, relationships, work, daily living, health, and strengths.

Provides a more comprehensive profile for detailed planning.

Important: APED-Q is not diagnostic. It profiles how autism presents and identifies support needs. Results should be interpreted alongside clinical assessment where appropriate. Scores are dimensional - there is no pass/fail, no "positive/negative".