
Imagine feeling disconnected from the world around you, constantly masking your true self to fit social expectations. For many autistic adults, this struggle often begins with the question: Could I be autistic? The RAADS-R test offers a starting point for self-discovery, helping individuals explore the nuances of their potential autism. This post will evaluate how this tool can deepen your self-understanding and support your journey toward authenticity. Taking a test like the RAADS-R might feel daunting. You may fear that you won’t be able to cope with what the results might reveal or worry if you’ll interpret your scores correctly.
The RAADS-R test, as featured on the Embrace Autism site, is a scientifically grounded self-assessment tool. While on its own it cannot determine your diagnosis, it can be used to indicate whether someone is likely to be autistic. Like other resources showcased on the Embrace Autism site, it can provide clarity and direction. The detailed explanations of your test results, can guide you toward self-acceptance and help you take slow, deliberate steps toward unmasking.
The first step is to understand the RAADS-R test, and how to approach this self-administered test. You’ll need to grasp its scoring categories and how these align with your experiences. In this post, I’ll unpack each category and offer practical advice for interpreting your scores using my scores as an example. I will also provide some actionable tips to help you approach this tool confidently and to help you cope with the emotional impact that follows.
What Is the RAADS-R Test?
The RAADS-R test measures traits associated with autism in adults, focusing on areas often missed by childhood diagnostic criteria. It was developed for those whose diagnosis was missed as children and aims to identify challenges across four key categories. The post on the Embrace Autism site helps interpret scores but be aware of its limitations. For example, they point out that some questions may feel ambiguous or not align with your experience.

RAADS-R stands for Ritvo Autism & Asperger Diagnostic Scale – Revised. Dr Ritvo first developed the RAADS-R test when the term “Asperger’s syndrome” was common. This language is no longer used in diagnosis and autism is now recognised as including what would have previously been called Asperger’s. While the RAADS-R retains terminology from earlier models, it remains a useful tool for self-reflection and understanding autism.
This tool is self-administered and if used as part of an autism assessment you would be guided by the assessor who is there to answer any questions. In practice, if using this test at home you should approach it as a means of self-reflection rather than a diagnostic tool.
Tips for Taking the RAADS-R Test
When I took the RAADS-R test, I reflected on my entire life, not just recent experiences. The questions compare childhood with “now,” but it has been decades since my childhood. As I pondered the questions, I realised that some phrases still applied to me even though I hadn’t experienced them in recent years.
I also realised the importance of being honest with myself and avoided answering based on how I thought I should respond. It might be easy to allow social expectations to influence the answers. I think it’s important not to fear being judged especially if you are completing this to gain personal insight.
Keeping a journal to note questions that resonate or jar with you may also be worthwhile. Some may jump out at you, and you may think, “Yes, that’s me.” Others may be ones you resist or feel embarrassed answering. Ask yourself what memories they invoke and why you feel this way.
These tips can help you produce more accurate answers, reveal patterns and offer clarity. Remember that understanding yourself is the first step towards self-acceptance.
Understanding the RAADS-R Categories
Though your total like mine of 153 might give a strong indication of the likelihood of autism, it’s the interplay of the categories detailed below that offers a more multifaceted view that you could explore in reflective journalling.

Language: This score measures challenges in verbal communication. Here my low score of 7 may reflect a strong fluency on the surface but perhaps also some hidden struggles with communication. Reflect on moments when communication felt like a performance or was exhausting.
Social Relatedness: High scores (like mine of 78) highlight difficulties in forming connections or understanding social cues. Explore how the challenges of masking in social settings have impacted your relationships and self-esteem.
Sensory-Motor: My high score of 35 might indicate significant sensory challenges, highlighting the impact these experiences can have on daily life, even if they are sometimes masked or misunderstood. Evaluate how sensory experiences shape your daily interactions.
Circumscribed Interests: Again my high score of 33 reveals the intensity of focus and passion for specific topics. These can be reframed by celebrating them as strengths rather than quirks to be hidden.
Interpreting Your Results and Moving Forward
It is important to view your scores as a means to gain insight into your experiences, rather than as a rigid measure that will determine your identity moving forward. The RAADS-R test serves as a good starting point, but you may also wish to explore other tests on the site to obtain a more comprehensive picture. For example, the CAT-Q test offers an indication of the extent to which you exhibit camouflaging behaviour to blend in with those around you to compare with your social relatedness score.
The Embrace Autism website offers detailed breakdowns and community insights that can support your understanding. They discuss the validity of RAADS-R but more importantly, Embrace Autism says: “Do note that no single test is conclusive, and not every autistic person necessarily scores above the defined threshold on each test. If you score low on the RAADS–R but still think you could be autistic, try taking a few other autism tests.”
And it’s worth continuing to explore more of Embrace Autism resources including more tests and blog posts to identify safe ways to explore understanding yourself and unmasking.
The Emotional Journey of Self-Discovery
Recognising that masking has been a coping mechanism can bring up grief or confusion as you grapple with the idea that you’re not who you thought you were. Perhaps you thought your life was on track, you thought you knew yourself only to realise that you are more complex than you thought.

Social pressures to conform may create tension as you aim to be authentic. This includes pressures – that may be real or imaginary – from peers and authority figures to behave outwardly in certain ways and potential consequences if we don’t.
Two solutions I’ve found are grounding myself in self-acceptance by appreciating my value through neurodiversity’s strength-based approach and embracing contemplative practices like journalling or mindfulness. These have shifted my focus to see how I can not only cope with my challenges but also contribute to the needs of others.
It may be best to slowly and carefully make small, intentional steps toward unmasking in safe spaces. In these spaces relax and have fun perhaps by finding someone who shares your special interest. This will enable a few people who you are close to have the opportunity to get to know you better.
Living Authentically as Yourself
Understanding and accepting myself has reduced the fear of rejection and has empowered me to build more meaningful connections. This may deepen your understanding of where you may have hurt someone or how they hurt you. This can empower you to find reconciliation or at least closure if appropriate.
However, understanding your RAADS-R scores can also give you renewed confidence helping you decide and articulate boundaries, despite your hidden language challenges, to keep people you find difficult at a distance. This may be vital to preserve your energy due to high sensory challenges, avoid manipulation or abuse and advocate for your needs.
Take small actionable steps. Share insights with trusted friends or therapists to deepen your journey. As you have deepened your understanding – nothing will be the same again for you, as you share it this also potentially means your social relationships will change – hopefully for the better.
Celebrate small wins. These may be personal celebrations or you may want to share these with someone close. Practice authenticity in daily life, by carefully expressing your true thoughts and feelings as you deeply appreciate yourself and contribute to the needs of others.
Continuing Your Unmasking Journey

I trust you have seen that the RAADS-R test is a valuable tool for exploring your autism and starting your unmasking journey. Once you understand the scoring system your scores can be interpreted and used to deepen your self-understanding. Following this up with other resources on Embrace Autism’s site for example the CAT-Q test can help you take small steps toward greater self-acceptance and living more authentically.
Embracing your authentic self doesn’t mean rejecting the protective aspects of masking—it means choosing when and where to unmask, based on what serves you best. You will still need clear boundaries to protect your energy levels. By more deeply understanding yourself through these scores, you can navigate social pressures without apologising for who you are. This newfound clarity empowers you to live more authentically, building relationships and taking the opportunities to contribute to those relationships that align with your true self.