Do you think your child may have Autism, or has someone suggested that your child may be Autistic? Take the concern seriously. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is one of the fastest-growing developmental disorders: the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that it may affect 1 out of 59 kids in the US.

Early Autism screening and diagnosis can make a huge difference in your child’s quality of life. The M-CHAT Autism checklist can help you recognize potential ASD warning signs.

Importance of Early Screening

You know your child better than anyone, but a study published in 2014 in the Journal of Pediatrics found that “providers often inappropriately reassure families who need ASD specialty consultation.” As a result, Autism diagnosis can be delayed up to 3 years in some children.

That’s too much time to waste. Early Autism screening and treatment leads to more positive outcomes for children and their families. For example:

• Social Skills: With early intervention, such as Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), children can learn and practice socially significant behaviors like making eye contact, interacting with playmates, and conversation – skills that most children learn instinctively.

• Parental Engagement: Children with Autism often withdraw from personal contact and communications, parents and other adults often do the same. A trained Board Certified Behavioral Analyst can help parents learn the skills they need to help their children.

Autism is a lifelong condition, but early assessment and treatment are extremely effective.

Early Identification: the M-CHAT Autism Checklist

Children can exhibit signs of ASD as early as 12 months of age, so it’s important to be alert to symptoms in toddlers and older children. However, having one or two symptoms doesn’t automatically point to Autism. It’s normal for children to develop motor skills at different rates. Social maturity also varies. It sometimes can be hard to tell the difference between slow development and behavioral characteristics associated with Autism.

M-CHAT stands for “Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers.” If you’re worried about your child, the M-CHAT can help. Here are a few highlights of the assessment:

• M-CHAT only takes a few minutes to complete.

• The 20-question assessment looks for multiple signs of ASD.

• It evaluates the risk level in toddlers aged 16-30 months.

• Your child does not need to be present while taking the online assessment.

• Based on your observations of your child and to the best of your ability, answer the questions yourself.

• If your child scores in the MEDIUM to HIGH-RISK ranges, there’s a follow-up portion with additional questions.
  

Autism Speaks offers a free online M-CHAT Autism Checklist assessment. When you find a quiet moment and are ready, tap or click the button below to begin. Please note that the assessment will open in a new tab in your browser’s window.

You’ve Taken the M-CHAT.
How Reliable is it?

M-CHAT is not a diagnosis, but it does highlight warning signs of Autism. The checklist is designed for self-assessment only. It’s not as thorough or objective as an Autism screening performed by a trained clinician. Even so, M-CHAT is widely recommended by Autism support groups, including Autism Speaks.

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Understanding the results

If your M-CHAT results suggest that your child is in the MEDIUM-RISK range, consider consulting a medical professional who has experience with ASD. A trained clinician can offer a more detailed assessment of where your child falls on the Autism Spectrum.

If the results of the M-CHAT show that your child could be in the HIGH-RISK range, we recommend that you consult a clinician who has trained in Autism assessment. Research shows that over 90% of children who receive advanced ABA therapy for Autism show substantial improvement compared to the control group. They’ll be able to answer your questions, provide guidance about your next steps, and help you sort through treatment options.

Credits, Sources & Legalese: Primary content sourced from Behavioral Innovations (blog post: “Autism Screening Using the M CHAT Autism Checklist”) and Autism Speaks. Third-party links in this article connect to site content managed, owned, authored, and marketed on behalf of or to benefit Behavioral Innovations, its brand, products, services, and company. This article’s expressed recommendations, opinions, and third-party links (including any surveys, checklists, and self-assessment questionnaires) are not those of Diverse Innovations, LLC., its employees, or its subsidiaries. While we are all entitled to take our personalized course of action, we advocate for a comprehensive approach when seeking an ASD diagnosis. First, consult your child’s pediatrician about your concerns and observations. Secondarily, you may want to ask for a doctor- or insurance-referred professional such as a Specialist doctor or a certified clinician who’s trained in autism assessment. Additionally, you may want to ask about specialized hospitals or medical groups with accredited doctors, staff & treatment facilities that primarily focus on ASD patients. Lastly, consider other well-known, reputable, science-based organizations that specialize in ASD research, diagnoses, therapies & treatments.