Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Checklist
This checklist is designed as a measure of disorder symptomatology. It must be interpreted in the context of individual client circumstances and as such should be used only in combination with a comprehensive medical and clinical assessment. It is NOT a stand-alone diagnostic tool.
ASD is characterised by symptoms from the following categories:
A) Social and Communication Deficits
Problems understanding and responding to emotions in social settings (e.g. unusual social interactions, reduced sharing of emotional experiences, failure to initiate or respond to social interactions).
Difficulties with nonverbal communication in social situations (e.g. unusual body language when communicating, abnormal eye contact patterns, poor understanding of nonverbal behaviour).
Problems developing, maintaining and understanding relationships (e.g. difficulties adjusting behaviour in different social settings, lack of interest in or understanding of peers and social play activities).
B) Restricted, Repetitive Behaviours
Stereotyped or repetitive behaviours (e.g. lining up toys, repeating irrelevant words and phrases, repetitive actions such as tapping feet).
Inflexible demands for sameness in one’s environment and schedule (e.g. extreme distress at small changes, rigid thought patterns).
Highly restricted, fixated interests that are unusually intense or focused (e.g. extreme obsessions with unusual objects, games or films).
- Unusually sensitivity or insensitivity to sensory input or unusual interest in touching and feeling certain aspects of the environment (e.g. excessive smelling or touching of objects and surfaces).
If a child has experienced all symptoms from category A and at least 2 symptoms from category B during their early developmental period and beyond, they may meet criteria for an ASD diagnosis.
In this case, it is recommended that they be referred to a psychologist for a more comprehensive assessment. To book an appointment with a psychologist, contact Strategic Psychology on (02) 6262 6157 or email support@strategicpsychology.com.au.
Reference: American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5). Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association.