Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Screening

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends ASD screening for all children at their 18-month and 24-month well-child checkups.

More ASD screening may be needed if your child has a higher risk for ASD. The risk for ASD is higher for children who:

• Have a sibling or other family member who has ASD
• Have older parents
• Have certain genetic disorders or chromosomal conditions, such as Down syndrome, Fragile X, Rett syndrome, or tuberous sclerosis
• Had problems during childbirth and/or were born with a low birth weight

Research studies have found no link between vaccines and ASD.

Your child may need ASD screening at any age if you, a teacher, or other caregiver notices possible autism symptoms. Some of the more common ASD symptoms in children and teens include:

• Problems with communication and social behavior, such as:
  • Making little or no eye contact with others
  • Not responding when people smile or talk to them
  • Rarely sharing their interests with others (for example, rarely showing you their favorite toy)
  • Trouble having conversations
  • Talking a lot about a favorite subject without noticing others aren’t interested
  • Having an unusual tone of voice that’s robot-like or sing-song
  • Having trouble making friends
  • Not understanding humor or sarcasm
• Having unusual behaviors and/or or narrow interests, called “restrictive/repetitive behaviors.” For example:
  • Repeating words or phrases (called echolalia), or hand flapping and/or body rocking
  • Having a lasting, intense interest in specific topics, such as numbers, details, or facts
  • Showing unusual attachment to toys, objects
  • Becoming upset by slight changes in a routine and having difficulty changing from one activity to another
  • Being more sensitive or less sensitive than other people to sensory input, such as light, sound, the feel of clothing, or temperature

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.

Adults may need ASD screening if they have problems that could be signs of autism, but they were never diagnosed with ASD. Usually, their symptoms are mild, which is why they were not diagnosed earlier. Their challenges may include:

• Problems communicating and interacting with others, such as having trouble understanding other people’s emotions
• Restricted interests and/or repetitive behaviors
• Trouble understanding what behavior is expected in school, work, or other areas of life

Adults with ASD may also have difficulty keeping a schedule and setting long-term goals. They often have other conditions such as anxiety, depression, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).