M-CHAT-R Autism Screening for Toddlers
The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised (M-CHAT-R) is a 20-question parent-report checklist used to identify early autism indicators in children aged 16 to 30 months. It is one of the most widely validated early screening instruments in paediatric practice.
- Questions
- 20
- Format
- Yes / No
- Time
- ~5 minutes
- Completed by
- Parent or caregiver
- Age range
- 16–30 months
About the M-CHAT-R
The M-CHAT-R was developed by Diana Robins, Deborah Fein, and Marianne Barton and is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for Level 1 autism screening at the 18- and 24-month well-child visits.
Each item asks about observable behaviours — joint attention, social responsiveness, imitation, and gesture use. No clinical background is needed; a parent or primary caregiver answers based on what they see at home. The checklist takes about five minutes to complete and provides an instant result with a score band and guidance on whether follow-up is recommended.
Source: Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised — Robins, Fein & Barton (2009)
Frequently asked questions
- How accurate is the M-CHAT-R?
- In large community samples, the M-CHAT-R achieves sensitivity of around 85–90% for detecting autism risk. It can also produce false positives, which is why a positive screen should lead to follow-up evaluation rather than a direct diagnosis.
- My child is 15 months — can I still use this?
- The M-CHAT-R is validated for ages 16 to 30 months. Results outside this range are less reliable. If you have concerns before 16 months, discuss them with your paediatrician rather than relying on this checklist.
- What happens if my child screens at risk?
- A positive screen means there are enough reported indicators to warrant further evaluation. The recommended next step is a referral to a developmental paediatrician, paediatric psychologist, or specialist autism diagnostic clinic. Early referral leads to earlier access to support.
- Does a positive screen mean my child has autism?
- No. A positive screen is not a diagnosis. Many children who screen positive do not receive an autism diagnosis after full evaluation. Only a qualified clinician can diagnose autism spectrum disorder.
- How long does the screening take?
- Most parents complete the M-CHAT-R in 3 to 5 minutes. The result and guidance are available immediately after the last question.
Free · Private · Results in under 15 minutes