M-CHAT Online Test

Instructions for Taking and Scoring the M-CHAT (available in other languages here)

A child should be referred for further evaluation when any three answers suggest risk for ASD, as indicated by the list of ASD risk responses that follow the questions.

Please answer questions to reflect your child’s usual behaviors. If the behavior is rare (e.g., you've seen it only once or twice), answer as if the child has not acquired the behavior.

M-CHAT (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers)

Demographic Information

Please fill out a few questions about yourself and your child before continuing on to the M-CHAT.

Completing this section will help us better serve our community. Answering is optional and will not affect your test results.

  3. What is the child's ethnicity?

  4. What is the child's race? (check all that apply)

Review & Submit

  1. Does your child enjoy being swung, bounced on your knee, etc.?

     

  2. Does your child take an interest in other children?

     

  3. Does your child like climbing on things such as stairs?

     

  4. Does your child enjoy playing peek-a-boo/hide-and-seek?

     

  5. Does your child ever pretend, for example, to talk on the phone or take care of a doll or other pretend things?

     

  6. Does your child ever use an index finger to point, to ask for something?

     

  7. Does your child ever use an index finger to point, to indicate interest in something?

     

  8. Can your child play properly with small toys (e.g. cars or blocks) without just mouthing, fiddling, or dropping them?

     

  9. Does your child ever bring objects over to you (parent) to show you something?

     

  10. Does your child look you in the eye for more than a second or two?

     

  11. Does your child ever seem oversensitive to noise? (e.g., plugging ears)

     

  12. Does your child smile in response to your face or your smile?

     

  13. Does your child imitate you? (e.g. If you make a face, will your child do so?)

     

  14. Does your child respond to his/her name when you call?

     

  15. If you point at a toy across the room, does your child look at it?

     

  16. Does your child walk?

     

  17. Does your child look at things you are looking at?

     

  18. Does your child make unusual finger movements near his/her face?

     

  19. Does your child try to attract your attention to his/her own activity?

     

  20. Have you ever wondered if your child is deaf?

     

  21. Does your child understand what people say?

     

  22. Does your child sometimes stare at nothing or wander with no purpose?

     

  23. Does your child look at your face to check your reaction when faced with the unfamiliar?

     

Form Control

Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT™)

Checklist Answers

  1. Does your child enjoy being swung, bounced on your knee, etc.?

     

  2. Does your child take an interest in other children?

     

  3. Does your child like climbing on things such as stairs?

     

  4. Does your child enjoy playing peek-a-boo/hide-and-seek?

     

  5. Does your child ever pretend, for example, to talk on the phone or take care of a doll or other pretend things?

     

  6. Does your child ever use an index finger to point, to ask for something?

     

  7. Does your child ever use an index finger to point, to indicate interest in something?

     

  8. Can your child play properly with small toys (e.g. cars or blocks) without just mouthing, fiddling, or dropping them?

     

  9. Does your child ever bring objects over to you (parent) to show you something?

     

  10. Does your child look you in the eye for more than a second or two?

     

  11. Does your child ever seem oversensitive to noise? (e.g., plugging ears)

     

  12. Does your child smile in response to your face or your smile?

     

  13. Does your child imitate you? (e.g. If you make a face, will your child do so?)

     

  14. Does your child respond to his/her name when you call?

     

  15. If you point at a toy across the room, does your child look at it?

     

  16. Does your child walk?

     

  17. Does your child look at things you are looking at?

     

  18. Does your child make unusual finger movements near his/her face?

     

  19. Does your child try to attract your attention to his/her own activity?

     

  20. Have you ever wondered if your child is deaf?

     

  21. Does your child understand what people say?

     

  22. Does your child sometimes stare at nothing or wander with no purpose?

     

  23. Does your child look at your face to check your reaction when faced with the unfamiliar?

     

 

Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT™)

M-CHAT risk score:

Your responses suggest that your toddler's behaviors are within the expected range of development. However, if you or your healthcare provider has persistent concerns about autism or other developmental delays, you should pursue evaluation by a specialist. For resources in your area, see our list of Autism Treatment Network clinics and the “Where to Get an Autism Diagnosis” section in our state-by-state Resource Guide. Need more help? Call or email our Autism Response Team: 888-AUTISM2 (288-4762) or familyservices@autismspeaks.org.

This questionnaire is designed to screen for autism, not other developmental issues. If you have concerns about any area of your child's development or behavior, please discuss these concerns with your child's doctor.

Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT™)

M-CHAT risk score:

This score suggests that your toddler may be at elevated risk for a developmental disorder such as autism. Importantly, most children identified as “at risk” by the M-CHAT do not go on to develop autism. This score simply indicates higher than average risk. It warrants an “M-CHAT Follow-up Interview” conducted by your child's pediatrician or other specialist.

For resources in your area, see our website's list of Autism Treatment Network clinics and state-by-state Resource Guide. You can also call or email our Autism Response Team: 888-AUTISM2 (288-4762); familyservices@autismspeaks.org.

This questionnaire is designed to screen for autism, not other developmental issues. If you have concerns about any area of your child's development or behavior, please discuss these concerns with your child's doctor.

Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT™)

M-CHAT risk score:

This score suggests that your toddler is at elevated risk for autism or another developmental disorder and should be evaluated by a specialist for early intervention services. For resources in your area, see our website's list of Autism Treatment Network clinics and state-by-state Resource Guide. You can also call or email our Autism Response Team: 888-AUTISM2 (288-4762); familyservices@autismspeaks.org.

This questionnaire is designed to screen for autism, not other developmental issues. If you have concerns about any area of your child's development or behavior, please discuss these concerns with your child's doctor.

© 1999 Diana Robins, Deborah Fein & Marianne Barton

For more information and resources, please see our Video Glossary and FAQs and special sections on Diagnosis, Symptoms, Learn the Signs, Treatment, Your Child’s Rights, Asperger Syndrome and PDD-NOS. We also offer a number of resource-packed tool kits for free download (here and here). They include our 100 Day Kit for families who have a child recently diagnosed with autism. These resources are made possible through the generous support of our families, volunteers and other donors.

Tags: