Do You Think Your Child Might Have Autism?

Please answer these questions about your child. Keep in mind how your child usually behaves. If you have seen your child do the behavior a few times, but he or she does not usually do it, then please answer no. Please circle yes or no for every question.

Thank you very much.

1. If you point at something across the room, does your child look at it? Yes No
(FOR EXAMPLE, if you point at a toy or an animal, does your child look at the toy or animal?)

2. Have you ever wondered if your child might be deaf? Yes No

3. Does your child play pretend or make-believe?  Yes  No

(FOR EXAMPLE, pretend to drink from an empty cup, pretend to talk on a phone, or pretend to feed a doll or stuffed animal?)

4. Does your child like climbing on things?  Yes  No 

(FOR EXAMPLE, furniture, playground equipment, or stairs)

5. Does your child make unusual finger movements near his or her eyes? Yes No
(FOR EXAMPLE, does your child wiggle his or her fingers close to his or her eyes?)

6. Does your child point with one finger to ask for something or to get help? Yes No
(FOR EXAMPLE, pointing to a snack or toy that is out of reach)

7. Does your child point with one finger to show you something interesting? Yes No
(FOR EXAMPLE, pointing to an airplane in the sky or a big truck in the road)

8. Is your child interested in other children? (FOR EXAMPLE, does your child watch Yes No
other children, smile at them, or go to them?)

9. 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? Yes  No

(FOR EXAMPLE, showing you a flower, a stuffed animal, or a toy truck)

10. Does your child respond when you call his or her name?  Yes  No

(FOR EXAMPLE, does he or she look up, talk or babble, or stop what he or she is doing when you call his or her name?)

11. When you smile at your child, does he or she smile back at you? Yes No

12. Does your child get upset by everyday noises? Yes  No

(FOR EXAMPLE, does your child scream or cry to noise such as a vacuum cleaner or loud music?)

13. Does your child walk? Yes No

14. Does your child look you in the eye when you are talking to him or her, playing with him or her, or dressing him or her?

Yes  No 

15. Does your child try to copy what you do?  Yes  No 

(FOR EXAMPLE, wave bye-bye, clap, or make a funny noise when you do)

16. If you turn your head to look at something, does your child look around to see what you are looking at?  Yes  No 

17. Does your child try to get you to watch him or her?  Yes  No

(FOR EXAMPLE, does your child look at you for praise, or say “look” or “watch me”?)

18. Does your child understand when you tell him or her to do something? Yes No
(FOR EXAMPLE, if you don’t point, can your child understand “put the book on the chair” or “bring me the blanket”?)

19. If something new happens, does your child look at your face to see how you feel about it? Yes No
(FOR EXAMPLE, if he or she hears a strange or funny noise, or sees a new toy, will he or she look at your face?)

20. Does your child like movement activities? Yes No
(FOR EXAMPLE, being swung or bounced on your knee) 

​

See the scoring chart and more information on the MCHAT at their website HERE