Autism Signs in Toddlers

M-CHAT-R (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers — Revised)

⏱ 5 min 20 questions Free · Private

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About this check

The M-CHAT-R is the most widely used early-childhood autism screener. It is designed for children aged 16 to 30 months and asks 20 yes/no questions about everyday behaviours — pointing, joint attention, pretend play, social interest, and response to name.

Important: This is a screener, not a diagnosis. A positive result means a fuller assessment is warranted — ideally with a developmental paediatrician or child psychologist. Early support matters much more than early labels.

What your score means

Low risk · score 0–2

On this short screen, your child is in the low-risk range. The M-CHAT-R is deliberately sensitive — a low score is reassuring.

Medium risk — follow-up recommended · score 3–7

A score of 3 to 7 falls in the "medium risk" band. The M-CHAT-R has a follow-up interview that clarifies many medium-risk cases; about half turn out not to need further evaluation after the follow-up.

High risk · score 8–20

A score of 8 or more falls in the "high risk" band. This means enough early signs are present that skipping the follow-up interview and moving directly to a developmental evaluation is recommended.

How it works

Please answer about your child's usual behaviour. If the behaviour is rare (you have seen it only once or twice), please answer "no".

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If you are in crisis: Please call Tele-MANAS 14416 (free, 24/7, many Indian languages) or 112 for emergencies. You can also reach iCall, Vandrevala Foundation, or AASRA.