CAST Autism Screening for 7-Year-Olds
At 7, close peer friendships are central to social development, and a child's ability to understand unwritten social rules becomes increasingly important. Differences in social reciprocity, communication style, or flexible thinking can become more visible at this stage.
- Questions
- 31
- Format
- Yes / No
- Time
- ~8 minutes
- Completed by
- Parent or caregiver
- Age range
- 4–11 years
About the CAST
Children at 7 typically engage in cooperative games with complex rules, form stable friendship groups, and demonstrate sophisticated understanding of fairness and social expectations. Social skills in the playground and classroom are becoming increasingly nuanced.
Children with autism traits at 7 may have developed some compensatory strategies but can find the increasing complexity of social dynamics exhausting. They may have one or two intense interests they prefer to discuss over all others, struggle with the ambiguity of social interaction, or show differences in how they interpret peer behaviour — all patterns captured by the CAST.
Source: Childhood Autism Spectrum Test — Baron-Cohen et al., Autism Research Centre, Cambridge
Frequently asked questions
- My 7-year-old has no close friends despite wanting them. Should I be concerned?
- Difficulty forming or maintaining friendships — particularly when the child appears motivated to have friends — is one of the patterns the CAST is designed to identify. It can reflect differences in social communication quality, theory of mind, or the ability to read and respond to peer social cues. A positive CAST is a strong basis for a referral.
- Could my child's difficulties be ADHD rather than autism?
- ADHD and autism frequently co-occur, and some behavioural traits overlap. The CAST specifically assesses autism spectrum traits — social communication, imagination, and repetitive behaviour — which are distinct from ADHD's core features of inattention and hyperactivity. Both conditions can be present simultaneously and a comprehensive assessment would consider both.
- 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