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Autism Screening Checklist for Toddlers (Ages 1-3)

Autism Test

As a parent, you want the best for your child. If you’ve noticed certain developmental differences, you may be wondering if they’re just part of typical growth or something more. The truth is, every child develops at their own pace—but early recognition of potential challenges can open the door to valuable support and intervention.

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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects 1 in 70 Australians, with early signs often appearing before the age of three. Research shows that early intervention can significantly improve communication, social skills, and overall development, helping children build the skills they need to thrive.

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This Autism Screening Checklist for Toddlers (Ages 1-3) is designed to help parents identify key developmental signs related to social interaction, communication, behavior, and sensory processing. While this is not a diagnostic tool, it can provide important insights into your child’s unique strengths and challenges.

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We Are Here to Support You

Whether your child is meeting milestones, showing some delays, or exhibiting behaviors that make you pause, you are not alone. At Kids Therapy Clinics Australia, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential—no matter where they are in their developmental journey.

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Once you complete this checklist, one of our Occupational Therapists will review your responses and provide a free, confidential assessment with recommendations for next steps. Whether that includes reassurance, strategies to support your child at home, or further evaluation, we are here to guide you every step of the way.

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Start Your Child’s Journey Today

✅ Complete the checklist below to gain insights into your child’s development.
📞 Need immediate support? Contact us today on 1300 877 789 or visit Kids Therapy Clinics Australia to learn more about our autism assessments, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and early intervention services.

 

You are not alone—we’re here to help every step of the way. 💙

Autism Screening Checklist for Toddlers (Ages 1-3)

 Instructions: Mark ✔ Yes or ❌ No for each question based on your child’s behaviour.


First just fill in some quick details below:

Here's a simple Autism Screening Checklist for Toddlers (Ages 1-3) that parents can use as an initial guide. This is not a diagnostic tool, but it can help identify potential signs of autism that warrant further evaluation by a professional.

1. Social Interaction

Does your child make eye contact when you talk to them?
Does your child respond to their name when called?
Does your child show interest in people (e.g., smiling at familiar faces, reaching out for hugs)?
Does your child imitate actions (e.g., clapping, waving bye-bye)?
Does your child engage in back-and-forth play (e.g., peekaboo, rolling a ball to you)?

2. Communication & Language

Does your child use words or gestures to express wants/needs?
By 12 months, does your child babble with different sounds?
By 18 months, can your child say at least 10-20 words?
By age 2, does your child combine two or more words (e.g., “want cookie”)?
By age 2, does your child combine two or more words (e.g., “want cookie”)?
Does your child point to objects they want or show interest in things?

3. Repetitive Behaviors & Routines

Does your child show interest in a variety of toys, or do they fixate on specific objects?
Does your child engage in repetitive movements (e.g., hand flapping, spinning, rocking)?
Does your child become upset with small changes in routine?
Does your child line up toys instead of playing with them in an imaginative way?
Does your child repeat words or phrases over and over (echolalia)?

4. Sensory Sensitivities

Does your child react strongly to loud noises, bright lights, or certain textures?
Does your child dislike being touched or seek out sensory input excessively (e.g., spinning, jumping frequently)?
Does your child have difficulty eating different textures of food?
Does your child seem unusually focused on moving parts of toys (e.g., spinning wheels)?
Does your child avoid certain environments due to sensory discomfort?

5. Play & Social Engagement

Does your child play with toys in a typical way (e.g., pretend feeding a doll, pushing a toy car instead of spinning its wheels)?
Does your child show interest in playing with other children?
Does your child share enjoyment with you (e.g., showing you a toy, looking at you to see your reaction)?
Does your child engage in pretend play?
Does your child follow simple instructions (e.g., “Get your shoes”)?

Once you submit your responses a qualified therapist from our team will carefully review your responses and provide free, confidential feedback based on your answers. We aim to offer guidance on the next steps, whether that includes further assessment, therapy recommendations, or helpful strategies to support your child’s growth. We are always here to help and support families so feel free to reach out.

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