Autism Test for Toddlers: 10-Question Checklist for Ages 1-3

“Does my toddler have autism?” If you’re asking this question, you’re not alone.

Most parents notice something feels “off” between 12-24 months. Maybe your child doesn’t wave bye-bye. Maybe they don’t respond to their name. Maybe they line up toys instead of playing.

This is not an official diagnosis. Only a doctor or psychologist can diagnose autism. But this 10-question checklist is based on the M-CHAT, the screening tool pediatricians use.

If your toddler shows 3 or more red flags, call your pediatrician and ask for an autism evaluation. Early intervention before age 3 changes lives.

How to Use This Autism Checklist

Answer each question about your child’s behavior right now, not what they “used to do” or “might do later.”

Age matters. A 12-month-old and a 3-year-old have different milestones. I’ll note age ranges for each question.

The 10-Question Autism Test for Toddlers

1. Does your child respond to their name? [By 12 months]

Red flag if: You call their name 3-4 times and they don’t look, even when you’re not holding a toy. They act like they can’t hear you, but their hearing is normal.

Typical: Turns head or makes eye contact when you call.

2. Does your child point to show you things? [By 14 months]

Red flag if: They never point at airplanes, dogs, or toys to get your attention. They might take your hand and lead you to what they want instead.

Typical: Points at interesting things and looks back at you to see if you saw it too.

3. Does your child make eye contact? [By 9 months]

Red flag if: Avoids eye contact during feeding, playing, or when you talk. Seems to look “through you” or at your mouth/hair instead of eyes.

Typical: Looks at your eyes when smiling, feeding, or playing peek-a-boo.

4. Does your child pretend play? [By 18-24 months]

Red flag if: Only lines up cars, spins wheels, or drops blocks. Never feeds a doll, talks on a toy phone, or pushes a car saying “vroom.”

Typical: Pretends to drink from empty cup, puts doll to sleep, or “cooks” in toy kitchen.

5. Does your child bring you things to show you? [By 12-18 months]

Red flag if: Never brings you a rock, flower, or toy just to share. They only bring things when they want help opening them.

Typical: Runs to you with a leaf saying “look!” and waits for your reaction.

6. Does your child understand simple instructions? [By 16 months]

Red flag if: Doesn’t follow “give me the ball” or “come here” unless you point or gesture. Seems lost.

Typical: Follows 1-step commands without gestures by 16 months.

7. Does your child use gestures to communicate? [By 12 months]

Red flag if: No waving bye-bye, no clapping, no nodding yes/no. Doesn’t reach to be picked up.

Typical: Waves, claps, points, and shakes head by first birthday.

8. Is your child interested in other children? [By 18-24 months]

Red flag if: Ignores other kids at the park. Doesn’t look when another child cries. Plays alone even when kids are right next to them.

Typical: Watches other kids, brings them toys, or gets upset when they cry.

9. Does your child have unusual repetitive behaviors? [Any age]

Red flag if: Hand flapping when excited, spinning in circles for minutes, rocking body, staring at lights/fans, or lining up toys in perfect rows daily.

Typical: Some rocking or hand movements, but they stop when distracted and don’t happen all day.

10. Did your child lose skills they once had? [Any age]

Red flag if: Said 5-10 words at 15 months, then stopped talking by 20 months. Used to wave, now doesn’t. This is called regression and needs immediate evaluation.

Typical: Skills build over time. May pause during illness, but don’t disappear.

Scoring Your Autism Checklist

0-2 Red Flags: Probably typical development, but monitor. Retake this test in 3 months. Talk to your pediatrician at the next checkup.

3-5 Red Flags: Medium risk. Don’t panic, but don’t wait. Call your pediatrician this week and ask for an autism screening. Request Early Intervention evaluation - it’s free in most states.

6+ Red Flags OR Any Regression: High risk. Call your pediatrician today. Ask for a referral to a developmental pediatrician or autism center. Start Early Intervention now. Waiting lists are 6-12 months.

What Happens Next? The Autism Evaluation Process

1. Pediatrician screening: 10-minute M-CHAT test. If failed, you get referrals.

2. Early Intervention evaluation: Free for kids under 3. They test speech, motor, and social skills at your home.

3. Formal diagnosis: Child psychologist or developmental pediatrician does ADOS-2 test. Takes 2-4 hours.

4. Start therapy: If diagnosed, ABA, speech, and OT start immediately.

The whole process takes 3-9 months. That’s why you start now.

What If I’m Wrong? What If It’s Not Autism?

Good. The evaluation might find speech delay, hearing loss, or nothing at all.

You will never regret getting your child checked. You will regret waiting if it is autism.

Early intervention doesn’t hurt typical kids. But missing the early window hurts autistic kids. The brain is most flexible before age 3.

Key Takeaways for Parents

1. This checklist is not a diagnosis, but 3+ red flags mean call a doctor now.
2. Regression is urgent. Lost speech or skills = immediate evaluation.
3. Boys are 4x more likely to have autism, but girls are underdiagnosed. Test both.
4. Wait-and-see is dangerous. “He’ll talk eventually” wastes the best therapy years.
5. Early Intervention is free for ages 0-3 in the US. Google “Early Intervention [your state].”

Trust your gut. You know your child best. If something feels wrong, get it checked. The worst that happens is you’re told everything is fine.

Next step: Read our guide: What Causes Autism? Vaccines, Genetics, and Pregnancy Risks Explained to understand why autism happens.

Disclaimer: This checklist is based on M-CHAT-R/F but is not a diagnostic tool. Only a licensed psychologist, developmental pediatrician, or psychiatrist can diagnose autism spectrum disorder. If you have concerns, contact your healthcare provider.