ADHD & Symptom Tests

[Self-Test] Is My Child Autistic? Early Signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder

If your toddler or child is acquiring social and communication skills more slowly than expected, take this self-test for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and then share the results with a mental health professional for evaluation.

By ADDitude Editors Verified Medically reviewed by John Harrington, M.D. Updated on January 10, 2025

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurobiological disorder characterized by difficulty communicating verbally and relating socially to others, alongside a need to engage in repetitive behaviors or language. Early symptoms often noted by parents include delayed speech, restricted interests, not responding to his or her name, and avoiding eye contact. No two autistic children will have the same symptoms. Warning signs might be easy to see in one person, and virtually invisible in another.

Take the self-test below to find out whether your child’s symptoms resemble those of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. A high score suggests it's appropriate to visit a trained healthcare professional for an evaluation.

This self-test was adapted from the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers — Revised (M-CHAT-R) designed to screen the possibility of ASD, and from The Childhood Autism Spectrum Test or CAST (formerly the “Childhood Asperger’s Syndrome Test”), developed by ARC (the Autism Research Centre) at the University of Cambridge, for assessing the severity of autism spectrum symptoms in children. If you have concerns about possible ASD see a mental health professional. An accurate diagnosis can only be made through clinical evaluation. This screener is for personal use only.

Does your child get upset by everyday noises? (For example, do they scream or cry over noise such as a vacuum cleaner or loud music?)

Very Often

Often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Does your child show you things by bringing them to you or holding them up for you to see — not to get help, but just to share? (For example, showing you a flower, a stuffed animal, or a toy truck.)

Very Often

Often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Does your child like climbing on things? (For example, furniture, playground equipment, or stairs)

Very Often

Often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Have you ever wondered if your child might be deaf?

Very Often

Often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Does your child have an interest that takes up so much time that they do little else?

Very Often

Often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

If you point at something across the room, does your child look at it?

Very Often

Often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Is your child interested in other children? (For example, does your child watch other children, smile at them, or go to them?)

Very Often

Often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Is it important to your child to fit in with his or her peer group?

Very Often

Often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Does your child join in playing games with other children easily?

Very Often

Often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Does your child have difficulty understanding the rules for polite behavior?

Very Often

Often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Does your child play pretend or make-believe? (For example, pretend to drink from an empty cup, talk on a phone, or feed a doll or stuffed animal?)

Very Often

Often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Does your child look you in the eye when you are talking to them, playing with them, or dressing them?

Very Often

Often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Does your child appear to have an unusual memory for details?

Very Often

Often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Does your child come up to you spontaneously for a chat?

Very Often

Often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Does your child try to get you to watch them "perform" constantly? (For example, does your child look at you for praise, or say "look" or "watch me" a lot?)

Very Often

Often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Does your child try to copy what you do? (For example, do they wave bye-bye, clap, or make a funny noise when you do?)

Very Often

Often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Does your child appear to notice unusual details that others miss?

Very Often

Often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Was your child speaking by 2 years old?

Yes

I Don't Know

When you smile at your child, do they smile back at you?

Very Often

Often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

If you turn your head to look at something, does your child look around to see what you are looking at?

Very Often

Often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Does your child understand when you tell them to do something? (For example, if you don't point at the object, can your child understand "put the book on the chair" or "bring me the blanket?")

Very Often

Often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Does your child point with one finger to show you something interesting? (For example, pointing to an airplane in the sky or a big truck in the road. This is different from your child pointing to ask for something.)

Very Often

Often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Does your child make unusual finger movements near their eyes? (For example, does your child wiggle their fingers close to their eyes?)

Very Often

Often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Does your child enjoy playing sports?

Very Often

Often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

If something new happens, does your child look at your face to see how you feel about it? (For example, if they hear a strange or funny noise, will they look at your face before reacting?)

Very Often

Often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Does your child like movement activities? (For example, being swung or bounced on your knee)

Very Often

Often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Does your child like to do things over and over again, in the same way all the time?

Very Often

Often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Does your child point with one finger to ask for something or to get help? (For example, pointing to a snack or toy that is out of reach.)

Very Often

Often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Can your child keep a two-way conversation going?

Very Often

Often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

Does your child respond when you call their name? (For example, do they look up, talk or babble, or stop what they are doing when you call their name?)

Very Often

Often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

(Optional) Would you like to receive your autism symptom test results — plus more helpful resources — via email from ADDitude?

Sign me up for the ADDitude newsletter for parents of neurodivergent kids.