If your child or family member is between the ages of 18-24 months and you suspect they may have autism, please view the M-CHAT and M-CHAT Scoring Guides below. Several screening instruments have been developed to quickly gather information about a child’s social and communicative development within medical settings and at home.
If the child fails the M-CHAT, and you live in the United States, then make a special education referral to the Early Intervention program at the school district in which the child lives. You should also take the results of the M-CHAT to the child’s pediatrician for a referral for a full assessment to a multi-disciplinary team at a Children’s Hospital or an autism unit at a university near you.
If the child DOES NOT fail the M-CHAT, re-administer the M-CHAT every 45 days or so as part of a periodic surveillance program.
If your child or family member is older than 24 months and you suspect they may have autism then complete the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) at:
- Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) for older children
An important caveat: Screening instruments are not tests or diagnostic instruments. They are used to guide and inform individuals as to the potential risk for autism. If there is any doubt regarding this risk, follow through with a formal diagnostic process with health care professionals expert in the area of autism spectrum disorders.