M-CHAT-R Autism Screening for 25-Month-Olds
At 25 months, you are past the two standard AAP screening windows but still within the M-CHAT-R's validated 16–30 month range. If you have not yet screened, or have developed new concerns since the 24-month visit, completing the checklist now is still appropriate and meaningful.
- Questions
- 20
- Format
- Yes / No
- Time
- ~5 minutes
- Completed by
- Parent or caregiver
- Age range
- 16–30 months
About the M-CHAT-R
Many children at 25 months are in the midst of a vocabulary expansion — moving from two-word phrases to short three-word sentences. Social play with peers is becoming more interactive, and pretend play is increasingly elaborate. These behaviours are captured in several M-CHAT-R items.
For children who showed some early concerns that resolved, or who were borderline at 24 months, a fresh screen at 25 months based on current behaviour can clarify the picture. A positive result at this age supports a timely referral while the child is still early in development.
Source: Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised — Robins, Fein & Barton (2009)
Frequently asked questions
- Is it still useful to screen at 25 months if I missed earlier appointments?
- Yes. The M-CHAT-R is valid for the full 16–30 month range. If you are completing it for the first time at 25 months, the results are still meaningful. Earlier screening would have been ideal, but acting now is far better than waiting until the child passes the instrument's age range.
- My 25-month-old recently had a language explosion. Could earlier concerns have been normal variation?
- Rapid language development after a slower start is seen in some children, including those with late language emergence (LLE) without autism. The M-CHAT-R covers social-communication behaviours beyond language alone — eye contact, pointing, and play. Completing the checklist now helps distinguish LLE from autism-related patterns based on current behaviour.
- What happens if my child screens at risk?
- A positive screen means enough reported behaviours are present to warrant further evaluation. The recommended next step is a referral to a developmental paediatrician, paediatric psychologist, or specialist autism diagnostic service. 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 carrying out a comprehensive assessment can diagnose autism spectrum disorder.
- How long does the screening take?
- Most parents complete the M-CHAT-R in 3 to 5 minutes. Results and guidance are available immediately after the last question.
Free · Private · Results in under 15 minutes