This cluster shows quick checklists and short tests that help spot social and talking delays in toddlers and preschoolers with autism. It tells BCBAs which 10- to 40-minute tools, like the BSIQ and Pictorial Infant Scale, give reliable scores and can track small changes over time. Using these screeners first saves clinic hours and points you to the right next step, whether that’s a full ADOS-2 or starting play-based intervention.
Common questions from BCBAs and RBTs
No. Research shows that switching from ABAS-2 to ABAS-3 inflates adaptive behavior scores, which means a score increase after a version change may not reflect real improvement. Always note which version was used at each assessment point.
No. Research shows the Barriers section does not have strong validity for measuring problem behavior. Use the Milestones section for communication and social skills, and use separate functional behavior assessments for problem behavior.
Standard social communication measures in young autistic children have low sensitivity — they detect only small changes even when real improvement is happening. Your direct observation data may be capturing change that standardized scores miss.
The EDI is a parent-rated scale that identifies three distinct emotional dysregulation profiles in autistic children ages 6 to 11. It has strong psychometric support and is useful when you need to differentiate between emotion profiles to guide treatment.
Yes. Research shows GI symptoms occur in more than half of children with ASD and are linked to greater emotional and behavioral difficulties. Adding a brief GI screen — such as the ASD-GIRBI — to your intake process can reveal a contributing factor to challenging behavior.