CAST Autism Screening for 5-Year-Olds
At 5, children are in the early stages of formal schooling where social rules, turn-taking, and cooperative learning are central. The CAST captures whether autism spectrum traits are present that may be affecting a child's ability to navigate this environment comfortably.
- Questions
- 31
- Format
- Yes / No
- Time
- ~8 minutes
- Completed by
- Parent or caregiver
- Age range
- 4–11 years
About the CAST
By 5, most children are forming genuine friendships, engaging in complex imaginative play, and developing early literacy skills. They understand basic social rules — taking turns, sharing, listening in a group — and show growing empathy for others.
Children who struggle significantly with social turn-taking, who prefer to play on their own terms, or who find the unpredictability of peer interaction distressing may show differences that the CAST identifies. At this age, school staff observations often align with — or prompt — a parental concern that leads to screening.
Source: Childhood Autism Spectrum Test — Baron-Cohen et al., Autism Research Centre, Cambridge
Frequently asked questions
- My child's Year 1 teacher has raised concerns — should I complete the CAST?
- Yes. Teacher concerns in an educational setting carry real weight because they observe your child across a range of structured and unstructured contexts. The CAST adds the home-based parent perspective, and together these two sources of information form a strong basis for a referral to a paediatrician or educational psychologist.
- My 5-year-old has meltdowns after school but is well-behaved in class. Is that relevant?
- Post-school emotional outbursts are common in autistic children who mask well during the school day. The effort of managing sensory input, social demands, and behavioural expectations can lead to emotional dysregulation once the child reaches the safety of home. This pattern — sometimes called 'demand avoidance release' — is worth raising with a professional alongside the CAST result.
- 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