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Childhood Autism Spectrum Test (CAST)

Background

The Childhood Autism Spectrum Test (CAST) is a screening questionnaire designed to identify early behavioral traits associated with autism spectrum conditions in children. It assesses social interaction, communication patterns, imaginative play, restricted interests, repetitive behaviors, and developmental features commonly associated with autism spectrum traits.

The CAST is widely used in research and screening contexts to identify children who may benefit from further diagnostic evaluation. It is not a diagnostic instrument and should not be used alone to determine clinical autism diagnosis.

The scale focuses on observable behaviors in everyday social, communication, and play situations, typically reported by parents or caregivers.

Procedure

You will be presented with a series of statements describing a child’s behavior. Please answer each item based on typical behavior using Yes or No options. Respond honestly based on your observations.

Participation

This assessment is intended for caregivers, parents, or individuals familiar with the child’s behavior. Participation is voluntary and responses should reflect the child’s usual developmental patterns.

Higher scores may indicate stronger presence of autism spectrum-related traits, including differences in social communication, interaction patterns, imaginative play, and behavioral rigidity.

The results provide a percentage-based overview of autism-related trait presence and should be interpreted as a screening indicator only, not a diagnosis.


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Translations

This assessment is available in English only.

Help translate or improve existing translations to make this assessment accessible worldwide. Approved contributors may receive public credit on the translation page.

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Changelogs

v1.0 – Initial release of Childhood Autism Spectrum Test module.
v1.1 – Improved social communication dimension mapping.
v1.2 – Enhanced scoring structure and behavioral categorization.
v1.3 – Added clearer caregiver instructions and usability improvements.
v1.4 – Optimized for responsive plugin integration.



Sources
  1. Simon Baron-Cohen , The Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ): Evidence from Asperger Syndrome/High-Functioning Autism, Males and Females, Scientists and Mathematicians. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 2001. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005653411471
  2. Anna Smith , Evidence for a pure time perception deficit in children with ADHD. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 2002. https://doi.org/10.1111/1469-7610.00043
  3. Jo JWilliams , Autism : the international journal of research and practice vol. 9,1 (2005). The CAST (Childhood Asperger Syndrome Test): test accuracy. 2003. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361305049029