Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic prompted an increase in the use of online versions of developmental assessment and screening tools. It is important to determine whether putting assessments and screening tools online influences their accuracy.

Aim To examine some of the psychometric properties of the online version of the Learning Disability Screening Questionnaire (LDSQ) in a large general population sample.

Method Pre-existing anonymous data, which had been automatically collected from 758 users of the online LDSQ, were analysed using quantitative methodology.

Results Sensitivity values were above the recommended minimum value of 70% but somewhat lower than the sensitivity values found in validation studies which used the paper version of the LDSQ. Test-retest reliability was good. People with a false negative outcome were significantly more likely to have completed the LDSQ about themselves. The online LDSQ demonstrated good levels of accuracy when screening for intellectual disability among autistic people.

Conclusion The psychometric properties of the online version of the LDSQ are broadly similar to those of the paper version. The online LDSQ may offer an accessible, quick and easy way to help reduce the number of people with intellectual disabilities who are ‘hidden’ from healthcare services.