GSQ
Glasgow Sensory Questionnaire
Validated by Robertson & Simmons (2013) · View paper
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Jaye Turrietta, PsyD, BCBA-D, AEP
A 42-item measure of sensory experiences across seven modalities.
For each question, select how often the described experience applies to you. Answer based on how things generally are for you — not just right now.
42 questions · ~8 min · Auto-saved
About the GSQ
The Glasgow Sensory Questionnaire was developed by Ashley Robertson and David Simmons at the University of Glasgow in 2013. It was designed as a brief adult self-report that covers all seven sensory modalities (visual, auditory, gustatory, olfactory, tactile, vestibular, and proprioceptive) and captures both hyper- and hypo-sensitivity within each.
42 items on a 5-point frequency scale. Takes roughly 8 minutes. Designed for adults and older adolescents.
Scoring
Each item scores 0–4 (Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Often, Always). Totals range 0–168. Each of the seven modalities yields a 0–24 subscale. In the validation study, non-autistic adults averaged around 40 on the total; autistic adults averaged around 80, with broad overlap.
How to read your profile
Subscale scores are usually more informative than the total. Sensory differences are often uneven — someone might be markedly hyper-sensitive to sound and hypo-sensitive to touch, producing a moderate total with two pronounced modalities. Look at which modalities stand out rather than focusing only on the global number.
Important: Sensory differences captured here are not exclusive to autism. They also appear in ADHD, sensory processing disorder, migraine, PTSD, and chronic pain. Use this as a starting point for conversation, not a conclusion.
Robertson, A. E., & Simmons, D. R. (2013). The relationship between sensory sensitivity and autistic traits in the general population. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43(4), 775–784.
