Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Screening
Reviewed
Also called: ASD screening, autism screening
ASD screening is mainly used for young children. It helps find out whether a child has any early signs that could be ASD.
Specimen: Not applicable (questionnaire and observation)
Why this test may be ordered
- Routine screening for all children at 18-month and 24-month well-child checkups (recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics).
- Children with higher risk for ASD (e.g., family history, certain genetic disorders, low birth weight).
- Any age if a parent, teacher, or caregiver notices possible autism symptoms.
- Adults who have never been diagnosed but have problems that could be signs of ASD.
Preparation and collection
There are no special preparations needed for this screening.
Screening for ASD is usually done by your child's pediatrician (a doctor who specializes in treating children) or nurse. The questions ask about your child's development and behavior, including speech, movement, thinking, and emotions. The provider will watch how your child plays and interacts with you and/or others.
There is no risk to having autism spectrum disorder screening.
Understanding results
The results of an ASD screening may be given as a score. The score may be described as low, medium, or high risk for ASD.
- No signs of ASD found: If screening results do not find signs of ASD, but you have concerns, discuss them with your provider. Limitation: But screening cannot diagnose ASD. Next step: If you're concerned about your child or teen, talk with your child's provider even if your child had a normal ASD screening in the past.
- Signs of ASD found: If the screening shows signs of ASD, it may mean that more testing is needed to confirm whether they are caused by ASD. Limitation: There is no one test that can diagnose ASD. Next step: Children who show signs of ASD often need to see a specialist for more testing.
- Screening cannot diagnose ASD; it only identifies children who may need further testing.
- Screening may not find milder cases in early childhood.
- For adults, screening tools are still being developed and tested, and it can be difficult to find a specialist with experience diagnosing ASD in adults.
What to do next
If your child is diagnosed with ASD, get treatment as soon as possible. ASD treatment involves a variety of services and support depending on your child's needs.
- What does my child's screening score mean?
- Does my child need more testing to confirm or rule out ASD?
- Should my child see a specialist?
- When should my child be screened again?
Evidence source
Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). Practices and reference ranges may differ in your country.
U.S. National Library of Medicine: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Screening