Unfortunately the internet is not an especially safe place for everyone. There are websites that offer screenings and “personality tests” which appear free but later are not. AutisticOrNot will never charge any hidden fees and does NOT have a subscription. This is very important to us and critical to our public science verification. Our terms and conditions are clear and transparent and we ask you to be careful out there. We include our reviews page (many participants of course prefer privacy) and send a feedback invite to all who take part. The results are published regularly on this page for all. This is how we gain trust in a difficult space.

For many people, it is a relief to discover that this reflection can be completed entirely online and in their own time. You can begin whenever you feel ready, taking breaks as needed and saving your progress along the way. There is no time limit or pressure to finish in one sitting.

The programme includes 209 thoughtful questions, each guiding you towards a personalised report that helps you recognise patterns in how you think, feel, and act. It also shows how your responses compare with those of known neurodivergent profiles, helping you see your traits in a clear and balanced way.

Once you have paid your participation fee, your access key will be sent to you by email. From that moment, you can start whenever it feels right for you and take the time you need to explore a little more deeply.

Firstly, the system will ask for your name and email to set up your access to the system. Then, you will be asked for your credit card details on our secure server. The entry link to begin will be sent to you within minutes of this step. Look in all folders, including spam. If you have any issues at all just email hello@autisticornot.com. We are usually able to reply within an hour depending on time of day.

The reflection programme is entirely online and easy to access. You do not need any special technology. A quiet space and some time for yourself are all that is required. It is written in English and can be completed on your mobile or computer, although a larger screen may make reading easier.

Once you begin, you will see a short introductory video that explains what to expect and how the process works. You will then move through ten structured sections, each informed by established research in psychology, neuroscience, and behavioural science. You will explore more than 200 questions, each supported by notes on the studies and theories that shaped them. They are designed to prompt reflection and deeper understanding, rather than surface-level responses.

The full process usually takes around two hours, but you can pause, save, and return whenever you wish. Your access code will be sent immediately after paying your participation fee. There is no waiting list or approval process, and you can begin as soon as you are ready.

Every part of the programme includes clear prompts and guidance based on assessment principles, and your participation remains completely confidential.

Some adults who take this reflection have no interest in pursuing a “formal” autism diagnosis, particularly if they have already completed their education or do not need official certification to access legal benefits.

For others, this process can be a valuable first step towards seeking a clinical assessment. We will not encourage you in either direction. If your report suggests a neurodiverse pattern, it is entirely your choice whether you wish to use the term “neurodiverse” or “autistic” or to describe yourself from now on based on what it says.

Many participants are also confirmed as more likely to be neurotypical, yet still gain valuable insights. The process often highlights other traits, conditions, or thinking patterns that can resemble or overlap with autism, according to how each section combines. After all, it’s a spectrum and we’ll report on levels of comparison, not just a single conclusion.

The report will also explain why each question was phrased in a particular way and how your results combine to form a clear pattern. We believe that reflection is open to everyone, and you deserve to understand why you might be compelled to answer a certain way, not just that you have or have not.

Although this is not a medical diagnosis, and cannot be without a qualified clinician in the room with you, your overall “shape” provides a strong indication of how closely your profile aligns with autistic or neurodivergent traits. It also considers alternative explanations, including overlapping conditions and personality factors that can appear similar to autism.

The report concludes with explanations of the science, terms, and concepts used, as well as potential next steps you may wish to take. It also includes practical advice from our own neurodiverse team on coping and thriving methods relevant to your results.

You don’t have to tell an employer anything. If you do want to share your results, feel free. We’ve also produced a guide for employers explaining our process and the support we expect them to provide to you. You can access it free of charge from this link. It’s also available from our About Autism page. It’s informal and written by us directly.

We built AutisticOrNot for adults who want clarity without the cost, pressure or childhood evidence expected in clinical routes. Many people reach this point knowing they need understanding rather than a certificate (or as a first step), yet they may not have contact with family or memories that support early childhood diagnosis. The system gives adults a way to explore the same themes that appear in the right stages of assessment but in a format that fits real life.

It works through honest reflection, clear explanations and science based guidance as you progress. Adult awareness of autism is different from childhood diagnosis, and it needs space and adult understanding of our own patterns that may have stayed hidden for years. AutisticOrNot offers that space. It is private, practical and designed specifically for adults, making it the strongest place to begin if what you want is understanding and a clearer sense of yourself.

After receiving their report, people often feel a mix of clarity and emotion. Many receive a result that DOES NOT reflect autism, although many more of those reports highlight other possible conditions or life circumstances that explain long-standing patterns. These are described throughout, so the outcome is still meaningful. For those who DO receive a reflection of autism, the reaction can range from relief to sadness to frustration, all of which are normal. It is encouraged to spend time with these feelings and talk them through or reach out to others in a similar situation. The system includes guidance on how to connect to others, who to speak to and how to move forward in a supported way.

Taking the reflection now gives you a real chance to understand yourself with depth rather than relying on a free mini-quiz that offers little more than a score and often pushes people straight toward a clinic. AutisticOrNot is designed to help you make sense of your patterns, emotions and history in a much more authentic way. It provides context, science, explanations and practical next steps. If you want clarity and a stronger sense of why life has felt the way it has, starting today is one of the most meaningful choices you can make. The next steps are always up to you.

One question we have been asked is “why is it not free?”, the answer is simply that the process, created by Autistic Adults was comprehensive and our systems do cost us quite a bit to keep online and stable. Your fee covers a small part of this. Please do see our FAQs for more explanations and deeper insight into the project.

The reflection programme was developed by a British team and is written in British English. All adults in the UK and USA are welcome to participate. No other languages are available at this time but perhaps in the future. The report is in English.