M-CHAT-R/F (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers)
Free, validated screening tool for toddlers 16-30 months. Gold standard for early autism screening recommended by AAP.
M-CHAT Online Screener - Action Behavior Centers
Interactive online M-CHAT screening with immediate results and guidance.
M-CHAT Online - ABS Kids
Digital M-CHAT screening tool with follow-up questions.
Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ)
40-item parent questionnaire for children 4+ years. Based on the ADI-R diagnostic interview.
SCQ Information - CHOP Research
Detailed information about the SCQ including scoring and interpretation.
CDC Autism Screening Information
Official CDC guidelines on autism screening, including recommended ages and methods.
Autism Screening Tools Overview - Aspire CFS
Comprehensive overview of various autism screening tools and their applications.
CDC Learn the Signs. Act Early.
Free developmental milestone checklists from birth to 5 years. Includes free Milestone Tracker app.
CDC Milestone Tracker App
Free app to track your child's developmental milestones from 2 months to 5 years.
ASQ-3 (Ages and Stages Questionnaire)
Parent-completed questionnaires covering 5 developmental domains for ages 1 month to 5.5 years.
PEDS (Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status)
10-item questionnaire that elicits parental concerns for children birth to 8 years.
PEDS Online
Online platform for administering PEDS developmental screening.
CSBS DP Infant-Toddler Checklist
Free screening for communication and symbolic behavior in children 6-24 months.
CSBS DP Scoring Guide
Scoring guidelines and cut-off values for the CSBS DP Infant-Toddler Checklist.
AAP Developmental Screening Guidelines
American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines on developmental surveillance and screening.
AAFP Developmental Delay Screening Guide
When and how to screen for developmental delay - guidance for physicians.
ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule)
Gold-standard observational assessment for diagnosing autism. Administered by trained clinicians.
ADI-R (Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised)
Comprehensive semi-structured interview with caregivers. 93 items covering development history.
CARS-2 (Childhood Autism Rating Scale)
15-item behavior rating scale for assessing autism severity. Quick administration.
Autism Assessment Tools - Discovery ABA
Overview of various assessment tools used in autism diagnosis.
Autism Criteria and Tools - Autism.org.uk
UK National Autistic Society guide to diagnostic criteria and assessment tools.
DSM-5 Autism Criteria
Current diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder from the DSM-5.
Autism Canada
National charity providing resources, support, and education for 50+ years. Comprehensive resource directory.
Autism Canada Resources
Searchable database of autism resources across Canada.
Government of Canada - Autism Supports & Services
Official government information on autism supports, services, and funding across Canada.
Canada's Autism Strategy
Information about Canada's national autism strategy and framework released in 2024.
Canadian National Autism Foundation
Foundation supporting autism research, education, and family services across Canada.
CNAF Provincial Resources
Directory of autism resources organized by Canadian province and territory.
AIDE Canada
Network of resource centres providing information and support to autistic individuals and families.
Autism Funding in Canada (Under 18)
Guide to accessing autism-related funding for children across Canadian provinces.
Adult Autism Diagnosis in Canada
Steps to getting a formal autism diagnosis as an adult in Canada.
Fédération québécoise de l'autisme
Provincial federation of autism organizations. Reference for autism in Quebec for 40+ years.
Autisme Québec
Regional association offering services to autistic individuals in the Quebec City region.
Quebec Government - Disability Services
Official Quebec government services for persons with disabilities including ASD.
CNAF Quebec Resources
Canadian National Autism Foundation directory of Quebec-specific resources.
Autism Funding in Quebec (18+)
Guide to autism funding and programs for adults in Quebec.
L'Appui - Autism Resources
Resources and referrals for caregivers of autistic individuals in Quebec.
Autism Ontario
Leading source of information, referral, and support for autism in Ontario.
Autism Ontario - Getting a Diagnosis
Information on the diagnostic process and options in Ontario.
Autism Ontario - Adult Assessment
Resources for adults seeking autism diagnosis in Ontario.
Ontario Government - Autism Assessment
Official Ontario government information on autism assessment and diagnosis.
Ontario Autism Program (OAP)
Information about the Ontario Autism Program funding and services.
AccessOAP
Official entry point to register for the Ontario Autism Program after diagnosis.
Kinark Autism Services - Assessments
Psychological assessment services for autism in Ontario.
CHEO Autism Services
Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario autism diagnostic and treatment services.
Elemenoe - Understanding Autism Diagnosis in Ontario
Guide to understanding who can diagnose autism in Ontario.
BC Autism Assessment Network (BCAAN)
Provincial program providing autism assessments through BC Children's Hospital.
AutismBC
Support organization providing programs, services, and events for 11,000+ individuals annually.
BC Government - Autism Spectrum Disorder
Official BC government information on autism funding and support programs.
Northern Health Assessment Network (NHAN)
Assessment services for children and youth in Northern BC.
Autism Support Network of BC
Support organization providing resources and access to evidence-based treatment.
ACT - Autism Community Training
Training and resources for families and professionals supporting autistic individuals in BC.
BCAAN - HealthLink BC
HealthLink BC directory listing for BCAAN services.
ASHA - Autism Practice Portal
ASHA's comprehensive clinical resources for SLPs working with autism.
ASHA Guidelines for SLPs in Autism Assessment
ASHA guidelines for speech-language pathologists in autism screening and assessment.
ASHA - Autism Public Information
ASHA public information about autism and speech-language pathology.
NIDCD - Speech and Language Milestones
National Institute on Deafness developmental milestones for speech and language.
HealthyChildren - Language Delays in Toddlers
AAP's parent-friendly guide to language delays in toddlers.
Nemours KidsHealth - Speech Delay
When to be concerned about delayed speech or language development.
First Words Project (FSU)
Research and screening resources for early communication development.
Speech Assessment Systematic Review - ASHA
Research on speech assessments for children with ASD and best practice recommendations.
STAR Institute - SPD Symptoms Checklist
Comprehensive sensory processing disorder symptoms checklist by age group.
The OT Toolbox - SPD Checklist
Detailed sensory processing disorder checklist from occupational therapy perspective.
STAR Institute - SPD Checklist PDF
Downloadable PDF checklist for sensory processing disorder symptoms.
NAPA Center - SPD Checklist
Comprehensive list of sensory processing disorder symptoms.
Sensory Friendly Solutions - SPD Checklists
Reviews and comparisons of various SPD screening checklists.
ADDitude - SPD Screener
Interactive sensory processing disorder symptoms screener for children.
Autism Speaks 100 Day Kit - Young Children
Comprehensive toolkit for families in the first 100 days after diagnosis (under age 5).
Autism Speaks 100 Day Kit - School Age
Toolkit for families of school-age children (5-13) recently diagnosed with autism.
Autism Speaks Tool Kits Collection
Complete collection of Autism Speaks toolkits for various topics and ages.
100 Day Kit PDF (Direct Download)
Direct PDF download of the 100 Day Kit for young children.
IACC - Autism Toolkits and Guides
Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee collection of autism toolkits.
CDC Early Intervention Information
Information for parents on accessing early intervention services.
ASHA (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association)
Professional association for speech-language pathologists and audiologists.
ASHA - Information for SLPs
Resources and information specifically for speech-language pathologists.
ASHA - Services to Individuals with ASD
Joint committee guidelines on services to individuals with ASD.
American Academy of Pediatrics - Autism
AAP resources on autism for pediatricians and families.
National Autistic Society (UK)
UK's leading charity for autistic people with extensive resources.
M-CHAT-R/F Validation Study - PMC
Original validation study of the M-CHAT-R/F screening tool.
Autism Diagnosis Meta-Analysis - ScienceDirect
Systematic review and meta-analysis of autism diagnostic test accuracy.
Developmental Screening Tools Systematic Review
Review of developmental screening tools in high-income countries.
Speech Delay Framework for Primary Care - PMC
Practical framework for speech and language delay in primary care.
CSBS-DP Validation Studies
Validation research on the CSBS-DP Infant-Toddler Checklist.
ADI-R and ADOS Differential Diagnosis - PubMed
Research on using ADI-R and ADOS for differential diagnosis.
Understanding Screening vs. Diagnosis
Screening Tools
Screening tools like M-CHAT, ASQ, and PEDS are designed to identify children who may be at risk and should receive further evaluation. They are quick, often parent-completed, and can be administered in primary care settings.
- • Quick to administer (5-15 minutes)
- • Can be completed by parents
- • Identifies risk, not diagnosis
- • Recommended at specific ages
Diagnostic Assessments
Diagnostic tools like ADOS-2 and ADI-R are comprehensive assessments administered by trained clinicians. They provide detailed information for diagnosis and treatment planning.
- • Administered by trained professionals
- • Takes 1-3 hours to complete
- • Used for formal diagnosis
- • Guides intervention planning
Canadian Resources
Each Canadian province has different autism funding programs, wait times, and service delivery models. Use these resources to find services specific to your location: