CAST Autism Screening for 11-Year-Olds
At 11, children are at the upper boundary of the CAST's validated range and approaching the transition to secondary school — a significant shift in social and academic demands. Completing the CAST now provides an important clinical picture before this transition occurs.
- Questions
- 31
- Format
- Yes / No
- Time
- ~8 minutes
- Completed by
- Parent or caregiver
- Age range
- 4–11 years
About the CAST
Eleven-year-olds are navigating increasing independence, complex peer relationships, and the academic and social demands of late primary school. Social communication quality — reciprocity, flexibility, and reading context — becomes critical at this developmental stage.
For children who may have been missed by earlier screening, age 11 remains a useful point for formal assessment. The CAST is still appropriate at this age, and a positive result should prompt a timely referral. If the child is moving to secondary school, this transition is itself a reason to act promptly — earlier identification enables school-based support to be arranged before secondary start.
Source: Childhood Autism Spectrum Test — Baron-Cohen et al., Autism Research Centre, Cambridge
Frequently asked questions
- My child is about to move to secondary school. Should I screen now?
- Yes. Secondary school is a significant transition point that often amplifies autism traits due to increased social complexity, environmental change, and new academic demands. Completing the CAST at 11 and acting on a positive result means a referral can be initiated before the transition, giving more time for support to be in place from day one.
- Is CAST still the right tool at 11, or should I use the AQ-Adolescent?
- The CAST is validated to age 11 and is appropriate now. For children aged 12 and above, the AQ-Adolescent is the recommended instrument. If your child turns 12 soon and you are weighing options, requesting clinical input alongside either tool is the most reliable approach.
- What happens if my child screens at risk?
- A positive CAST result means enough traits are present to warrant professional follow-up. The recommended next step is a referral to a paediatric psychologist, developmental paediatrician, or specialist autism assessment service. Bringing printed results to your GP or school SENCO can support the referral conversation.
- Does a positive screen mean my child has autism?
- No. A positive screen is not a diagnosis. Many children who score above the CAST threshold do not receive an autism diagnosis after full evaluation. Only a qualified clinician conducting a comprehensive developmental assessment can diagnose autism spectrum disorder.
- How long does the CAST take?
- Most parents complete the 31 CAST items in 8 to 10 minutes. Your result with a score band and guidance is available immediately after the last question.
Free · Private · Results in under 15 minutes