Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale - Revised (RAADS-R)
What it is
The RAADS-R is an 80-item self-report questionnaire designed to assist clinicians in identifying autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in adults. It was developed specifically to detect adults who may have been overlooked for diagnosis due to subclinical or masked presentations. Unlike briefer screening tools, the RAADS-R provides detailed information across four symptom domains relevant to ASD diagnosis.
The tool is intended to complement — not replace — a comprehensive clinical assessment, and should always be interpreted alongside clinical interview, developmental history, and other relevant information.
How is it used
- Suitable for adults aged 18 and over
- Takes approximately 20–30 minutes to complete
- Administered as part of a broader autism assessment rather than in isolation
- Particularly useful for identifying adults with subtle or masked presentations
- Assesses four domains: social relatedness, language, sensory-motor symptoms, and circumscribed interests
What do the scores mean?
The RAADS-R is scored on a 0–3 scale per item, giving a total score range of 0 to 240. Higher scores reflect a greater number and severity of autism-related traits.
The established clinical cut-off is:
- Score below 65: Lower likelihood of autism
- Score of 65 or above: Consistent with autism traits; comprehensive diagnostic assessment should be considered
In the original validation study (Ritvo et al., 2011), a cut-off of 65 yielded 97% sensitivity and 100% specificity. The average score for neurotypical adults in the validation study was approximately 26, compared to an average of approximately 134 for adults with a confirmed autism diagnosis.
Some subsequent research has suggested refined thresholds to improve clinical specificity, particularly in populations where overlapping conditions (such as social anxiety, PTSD, or OCD) may elevate scores. Clinicians should weigh the total score alongside subscale patterns and the full clinical picture.
The four subscales are:
- Social relatedness — difficulties with social interaction and communication
- Language — differences in language use and understanding
- Sensory-motor — atypical sensory responses and motor behaviours
- Circumscribed interests — focused and restricted areas of interest
Developer
The RAADS-R was developed by Riva Ariella Ritvo and colleagues (2011) as a revision of the original RAADS (Ritvo et al., 2008).
References:
Ritvo, R. A., Ritvo, E. R., Guthrie, D., Ritvo, M. J., Hufnagel, D. H., McMahon, W., Tonge, B., Mataix-Cols, D., Jassi, A., Attwood, T., & Eloff, J. (2011). The Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised (RAADS-R): A scale to assist the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder in adults. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 41(8), 1076–1089.
Sizoo, B. B., Brink, W. V. D., Gorissen-van Eenige, M., Koeter, M. W. J., van der Gaag, R. J., & van den Brink, W. (2009). Using the autism spectrum quotient to discriminate autism spectrum disorder from ADHD in adult patients with and without comorbid substance use disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 39(9), 1291–1297.