Which tool is most commonly used for autism screening in toddlers?

• A. M-CHAT-R/F
• B. ASQ
• C. Denver II
• D. Bayley Scales

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that autism screening in toddlers is best done with a brief, autism-specific tool that can be used reliably in routine pediatric visits. The most commonly used option fits this role: a parent-completed checklist designed for toddlers, specifically validated for autism screening in the 16–30 month age range, and paired with a structured follow-up interview to clarify responses. This follow-up step helps reduce false positives and guides the clinician on whether to pursue a full diagnostic evaluation. Its practicality, focused purpose, and integration into primary care routines make it the go-to choice for early autism screening.

Other tools serve different purposes: some are general developmental screens that cover multiple domains but aren’t autism-specific, and others are longer, more comprehensive developmental or cognitive/motor assessments. While valuable for overall development, they aren’t optimized for identifying autism risk in toddlers, which is why they’re used less for initial autism screening.