The M-CHAT is a free autism screening tool for toddlers ages 16–30 months. Here's what the test covers, how to read low, medium, and high-risk results, and what to do next.
The M-CHAT — which stands for Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers — is a free, evidence-based screening questionnaire designed for children between 16 and 30 months of age. It takes about five to ten minutes to complete and is used by pediatricians, early intervention programs, and parents to identify whether a child may be showing early signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and whether a fuller developmental evaluation is warranted.
The M-CHAT is a screening tool, not a diagnostic test. A positive result does not mean your child has autism. A negative result does not mean they don't. It is a first step — a signal that tells you whether to look more closely.
The M-CHAT asks about specific behaviors that are associated with early autism development: whether your child responds to their name, points to share interest in something (not just to request it), makes eye contact, imitates actions, and shows interest in other children, among others. The questions are designed to capture the social communication behaviors that tend to show differences earliest in children who are later diagnosed with autism.
Results fall into three categories: low risk, medium risk, and high risk.
A low-risk result means the responses don't indicate significant concern at this time. If you still have worries, you can retake the screening in a few months or raise your concerns directly with your pediatrician — a low-risk result doesn't override what you're observing day to day.
A medium-risk result means some responses warrant a follow-up conversation with your child's doctor. Your pediatrician may ask additional questions or administer a follow-up screening. This is not a cause for alarm — it means more information is needed.
A high-risk result means the responses suggest a fuller developmental evaluation is appropriate. This is the time to request a referral to a developmental pediatrician or evaluation center. A high-risk M-CHAT result is not a diagnosis, but it is a clear signal that next steps matter.
The M-CHAT is available free on What's Next Health. Your results are saved to your account so you can reference them over time, share them with your child's doctor, and use them as a foundation for the evaluation conversation.
If your child is older than 30 months, the M-CHAT is no longer the appropriate tool — ask your pediatrician about age-appropriate screening options, or explore the provider directory to find an evaluator directly.
Take the free M-CHAT screening now — results saved, no appointment needed.
You noticed something different about your child and you're not sure if you should pursue it. Here's what autism signs actually look like in real life, when to take concerns seriously, and exactly what to do next.
4 min read
Pre DiagnosisEverything parents need to know about autism — from noticing the first signs through evaluation, diagnosis, and figuring out what to do next. A complete, honest guide written in plain language for families at every stage of the journey.
10 min read
Pre DiagnosisEverything parents need to know about ADHD — from first concerns through evaluation, diagnosis, and the first steps that actually matter. A complete, honest guide that doesn't pretend this is simple.
10 min read