Permissions for Use of the M-CHAT-R/FTM

The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised with Follow-Up (M-CHAT-R/F; Robins, Fein, &
Barton, 2009) is a 2-stage parent-report screening tool to assess risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder
(ASD). The M-CHAT-R/F is available for free download for clinical, research, and educational purposes.
Download of the M-CHAT-R/F and related material is authorized from www.mchatscreen.com.

The M-CHAT-R/F is a copyrighted instrument, and use of the M-CHAT-R/F must follow these guidelines:
(1) Reprints/reproductions of the M-CHAT-R must include the copyright at the bottom ( 2009
Robins, Fein, & Barton). No modifications can be made to items, instructions, or item order
without permission from the authors.
(2) The M-CHAT-R must be used in its entirety. Evidence indicates that any subsets of items do not
demonstrate adequate psychometric properties.
(3) Parties interested in reproducing the M-CHAT-R/F in print (e.g., a book or journal article) or
electronically for use by others (e.g., as part of digital medical record or other software packages)
must contact Diana Robins to request permission ([email protected]).
(4) If you are part of a medical practice, and you want to incorporate the first stage M-CHAT-R
questions into your own practice’s electronic medical record (EMR), you are welcome to do so.
However, if you ever want to distribute your EMR page outside of your practice, please contact
Diana Robins to request a licensing agreement.

Instructions for Use

The M-CHAT-R can be administered and scored as part of a well-child care visit, and also can be used
by specialists or other professionals to assess risk for ASD. The primary goal of the M-CHAT-R is to
maximize sensitivity, meaning to detect as many cases of ASD as possible. Therefore, there is a high
false positive rate, meaning that not all children who score at risk will be diagnosed with ASD. To
address this, we have developed the Follow-Up questions (M-CHAT-R/F). Users should be aware that
even with the Follow-Up, a significant number of the children who screen positive on the M-CHAT-R will
not be diagnosed with ASD; however, these children are at high risk for other developmental disorders or
delays, and therefore, evaluation is warranted for any child who screens positive. The M-CHAT-R can
be scored in less than two minutes. Scoring instructions can be downloaded from
http://www.mchatscreen.com. Associated documents will be available for download as well.

Scoring Algorithm
For all items except 2, 5, and 12, the response “NO” indicates ASD risk; for items 2, 5, and 12, “YES”
indicates ASD risk. The following algorithm maximizes psychometric properties of the M-CHAT-R:
LOW-RISK: Total Score is 0-2; if child is younger than 24 months, screen again after second
birthday. No further action required unless surveillance indicates risk for ASD.
MEDIUM-RISK: Total Score is 3-7; Administer the Follow-Up (second stage of M-CHAT-R/F) to get
additional information about at-risk responses. If M-CHAT-R/F score remains at 2 or
higher, the child has screened positive. Action required: refer child for diagnostic
evaluation and eligibility evaluation for early intervention. If score on Follow-Up is 0-1,
child has screened negative. No further action required unless surveillance indicates risk
for ASD. Child should be rescreened at future well-child visits.
HIGH-RISK: Total Score is 8-20; It is acceptable to bypass the Follow-Up and refer immediately for
diagnostic evaluation and eligibility evaluation for early intervention.

 2009 Diana Robins, Deborah Fein, & Marianne Barton

 M-CHAT-RTM
Please answer these questions about your child. Keep in mind how your child usually behaves. If you have seen your
child do the behavior a few times, but he or she does not usually do it, then please answer no. Please circle yes or no
for every question. Thank you very much.
1. If you point at something across the room, does your child look at it? Yes No
(FOR EXAMPLE, if you point at a toy or an animal, does your child look at the toy or animal?)
2. Have you ever wondered if your child might be deaf? Yes No
3. Does your child play pretend or make-believe? (FOR EXAMPLE, pretend to drink Yes No
from an empty cup, pretend to talk on a phone, or pretend to feed a doll or stuffed animal?)
4. Does your child like climbing on things? (FOR EXAMPLE, furniture, playground Yes No
equipment, or stairs)
5. Does your child make unusual finger movements near his or her eyes? Yes No
(FOR EXAMPLE, does your child wiggle his or her fingers close to his or her eyes?)
6. Does your child point with one finger to ask for something or to get help? Yes No
(FOR EXAMPLE, pointing to a snack or toy that is out of reach)
7. Does your child point with one finger to show you something interesting? Yes No
(FOR EXAMPLE, pointing to an airplane in the sky or a big truck in the road)
8. Is your child interested in other children? (FOR EXAMPLE, does your child watch Yes No
other children, smile at them, or go to them?)
9. Does your child show you things by bringing them to you or holding them up for you to Yes No
see – not to get help, but just to share? (FOR EXAMPLE, showing you a flower, a stuffed
animal, or a toy truck)
10. Does your child respond when you call his or her name? (FOR EXAMPLE, does he or she Yes No
look up, talk or babble, or stop what he or she is doing when you call his or her name?)
11. When you smile at your child, does he or she smile back at you? Yes No
12. Does your child get upset by everyday noises? (FOR EXAMPLE, does your Yes No
child scream or cry to noise such as a vacuum cleaner or loud music?)
13. Does your child walk? Yes No
14. Does your child look you in the eye when you are talking to him or her, playing with him Yes No
or her, or dressing him or her?
15. Does your child try to copy what you do? (FOR EXAMPLE, wave bye-bye, clap, or Yes No
make a funny noise when you do)
16. If you turn your head to look at something, does your child look around to see what you Yes No
are looking at?
17. Does your child try to get you to watch him or her? (FOR EXAMPLE, does your child Yes No
look at you for praise, or say “look” or “watch me”?)
18. Does your child understand when you tell him or her to do something? Yes No
(FOR EXAMPLE, if you don’t point, can your child understand “put the book
on the chair” or “bring me the blanket”?)
19. If something new happens, does your child look at your face to see how you feel about it? Yes No
(FOR EXAMPLE, if he or she hears a strange or funny noise, or sees a new toy, will
he or she look at your face?)
20. Does your child like movement activities? Yes No
(FOR EXAMPLE, being swung or bounced on your knee)

 2009 Diana Robins, Deborah Fein, & Marianne Barton

 M-CHAT-R Follow-Up (M-CHAT-R/F)TM

Permissions for Use

The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised, with Follow-Up (M-CHAT-R/F; Robins, Fein, &
Barton, 2009) is designed to accompany the M-CHAT-R. The M-CHAT-R/F may be downloaded from
www.mchatscreen.com.

The M-CHAT-R/F is a copyrighted instrument, and use of this instrument is limited by the authors and
copyright holders. The M-CHAT-R and M-CHAT-R/F may be used for clinical, research, and educational
purposes. Although we are making the tool available free of charge for these uses, this is copyrighted
material and it is not open source. Anyone interested in using the M-CHAT-R/F in any commercial or
electronic products must contact Diana L. Robins at [email protected] to request permission.

Instructions for Use

The M-CHAT-R/F is designed to be used with the M-CHAT-R; the M-CHAT-R is valid for screening
toddlers between 16 and 30 months of age, to assess risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Users
should be aware that even with the Follow-Up, a significant number of the children who fail the M-CHAT-
R will not be diagnosed with ASD; however, these children are at risk for other developmental disorders
or delays, and therefore, follow-up is warranted for any child who screens positive.

Once a parent has completed the M-CHAT-R, score the instrument according to the instructions. If the
child screens positive, select the Follow-Up items based on which items the child failed on the M-CHAT-
R; only those items that were originally failed need to be administered for a complete interview.

Each page of the interview corresponds to one item from the M-CHAT-R. Follow the flowchart format,
asking questions until a PASS or FAIL is scored. Please note that parents may report “maybe” in
response to questions during the interview. When a parent reports “maybe,” ask whether most often the
answer is “yes” or “no” and continue the interview according to that response. In places where there is
room to report an “other” response, the interviewer must use his/her judgment to determine whether it is
a passing response or not.

Score the responses to each item on the M-CHAT-R/F Scoring Sheet (which contains the same items as
the M-CHAT-R, but Yes/No has been replaced by Pass/Fail). The interview is considered to be a screen
positive if the child fails any two items on the Follow-Up. If a child screens positive on the M-CHAT-R/F, it
is strongly recommended that the child is referred for early intervention and diagnostic testing as soon as
possible. Please note that if the healthcare provider or parent has concerns about ASDs, children should
be referred for evaluation regardless of the score on the M-CHAT-R or M-CHAT-R/F.

 2009 Diana Robins, Deborah Fein, & Marianne Barton

 M-CHAT-R Follow-UpTM Scoring Sheet
Please note: Yes/No has been replaced with Pass/Fail
1. If you point at something across the room, does your child look at it? Pass Fail
(FOR EXAMPLE, if you point at a toy or an animal, does your child look at the toy or animal?)
2. Have you ever wondered if your child might be deaf? Pass Fail
3. Does your child play pretend or make-believe? Pass Fail
(FOR EXAMPLE, pretend to drink from an empty cup, pretend to talk on a phone,
or pretend to feed a doll or stuffed animal)
4. Does your child like climbing on things? Pass Fail
(FOR EXAMPLE, furniture, playground equipment, or stairs)
5. Does your child make unusual finger movements near his or her eyes? Pass Fail
(FOR EXAMPLE, does your child wiggle his or her fingers close to his or her eyes?)
6. Does your child point with one finger to ask for something or to get help? Pass Fail
(FOR EXAMPLE, pointing to a snack or toy that is out of reach)
7. Does your child point with one finger to show you something interesting? Pass Fail
(FOR EXAMPLE, pointing to an airplane in the sky or a big truck in the road)
8. Is your child interested in other children? Pass Fail
(FOR EXAMPLE, does your child watch other children, smile at them, or go to them?)
9. Does your child show you things by bringing them to you or holding them up Pass Fail
for you to see – not to get help, but just to share?
(FOR EXAMPLE, showing you a flower, a stuffed animal, or a toy truck)
10. Does your child respond when you call his or her name? Pass Fail
(FOR EXAMPLE, does he or she look up, talk or babble, or stop what he or she is doing
when you call his or her name?)
11. When you smile at your child, does he or she smile back at you? Pass Fail
12. Does your child get upset by everyday noises? Pass Fail
(FOR EXAMPLE, a vacuum cleaner or loud music)
13. Does your child walk? Pass Fail
14. Does your child look you in the eye when you are talking to him or her, playing with him Pass Fail
or her, or dressing him or her?
15. Does your child try to copy what you do? Pass Fail
(FOR EXAMPLE, wave bye-bye, clap, or make a funny noise when you do)
16. If you turn your head to look at something, does your child look around to see what Pass Fail
you are looking at?
17. Does your child try to get you to watch him or her? Pass Fail
(FOR EXAMPLE, does your child look at you for praise, or say “look” or “watch me”)
18. Does your child understand when you tell him or her to do something? Pass Fail
(FOR EXAMPLE, if you don’t point, can your child understand “put the book on the chair”
or “bring me the blanket”)
19. If something new happens, does your child look at your face to see how you feel about it? Pass Fail
(FOR EXAMPLE, if he or she hears a strange or funny noise, or sees a new toy, will he or
she look at your face?)
20. Does your child like movement activities? Pass Fail
(FOR EXAMPLE, being swung or bounced on your knee)

Total Score: _______

 2009 Diana Robins, Deborah Fein, & Marianne Barton