Screening guide
An informational guide to screening tools, score limitations, and professional assessment. This page does not provide an online quiz or diagnosis.
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Read in 4 minutes
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Screening next steps
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Canadian Paediatric Society: ASD early detection · Verified 2026-11-03
Understanding autism starts with understanding the scale of unmet need.
Ontario's figures, as of May 2026 (MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026).
Registered
91,974Children registered
Total registered in the Ontario Autism Program
Funded
20,711Have active funding
22.5% of registered children
Without active agreement
71,263Without an active funding agreement
An administrative status; it does not confirm current service delivery.
Figures as of May 13, 2026 · MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026 · checked November 2026
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Children registered | 91,974 |
| Have active funding | 20,711 |
| Without an active funding agreement | 71,263 |
When people search for an "autism test," they are usually looking for a way to understand whether their own, or their child's, traits and behaviours might be consistent with autism. Validated autism screening tools are questionnaires developed and tested by researchers to identify people who may benefit from a full diagnostic evaluation.
This page is a guide to the most widely used screening tools. It is not an interactive quiz. No online quiz can diagnose autism.
If you are concerned about your child showing possible autism signs, visit our guide to autism signs at every age and speak with your paediatrician about whether screening or referral is appropriate.
Used for children aged 16 to 30 months. Some doctors use the M-CHAT-R/F at 18- and 24-month visits. The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends ongoing developmental surveillance. A positive M-CHAT-R result prompts a follow-up interview and, if concerns persist, a referral for full assessment.
A validated screening tool for adults and adolescents over 16. It covers social skills, attention switching, communication, and imagination. A score of 6 or above suggests a full diagnostic assessment may be warranted.
Longer, more detailed self-assessment instruments used in clinical settings or by adults seeking to understand their own traits before pursuing formal diagnosis. These are not substitutes for professional assessment but can help you articulate your experiences to a clinician.
Learn more about next steps: How to Get an Autism Diagnosis in Ontario
Screening and diagnosis are not the same thing.
If you believe you or your child may be autistic, do not wait for a perfect score on an online quiz. Speak with a healthcare provider and begin the formal assessment process. An official diagnosis opens the door to services, accommodations, and funding, including Ontario's Ontario Autism Program.
What official government data tracks the Ontario autism waitlist?
The current province-wide waitlist record is the MCCSS FOI data published through the Ontario Autism Coalition data hub. As of May 2026, it shows 91,974 registered children and 22.5% with active funding agreements. Historical FAO, Auditor General, OHRC, and AccessOAP records provide separate context and should be cited for their own claims.
Source: MCCSS FOI via OAC May 2026 · Open source record
How long does autism diagnosis take in Ontario?
Ontario does not publish one province-wide wait for a public autism diagnosis. Waits are not published centre by centre either, so ask the assessment centre for its current wait when you are referred. The diagnosis wait comes before OAP registration, so it is not counted in OAP waitlist figures.
Source: Ontario Autism Program · Open source record
Is private autism assessment faster in Ontario?
Fees and appointment availability vary by provider. Ask the assessment provider for a written fee quote and current wait before booking. Ontario does not publish a province-wide wait time for autism assessments.
Source: Ontario Autism Program; contact assessment providers for current fees and waits · Open source record
An autism screening test is a brief questionnaire used to identify people who may benefit from a full diagnostic assessment. Screening tools are not diagnostic, they flag potential autism traits and guide next steps. Common tools include the M-CHAT-R for toddlers and the AQ-10 for adults.
Validated screening tools like the M-CHAT-R have reasonable sensitivity and specificity when used appropriately, but no questionnaire can diagnose autism. False positives and false negatives occur. A high score on a screening tool means a professional assessment is warranted, not that autism is confirmed.
Screening is a brief first step that identifies who should receive a full assessment. Diagnosis is a full evaluation by a qualified professional (psychologist, developmental paediatrician, or psychiatrist) involving standardized tools, developmental history review, and direct observation. Only a diagnosis, not a screening score, confirms autism.
A high score on a screening tool means you should speak with a healthcare provider about a referral for a full diagnostic assessment. In Ontario, you can ask your family doctor or paediatrician for a referral to a developmental paediatrician or psychologist. Be aware that public wait times for assessment can be lengthy.
In Canada, autism diagnosis requires a full assessment by a registered psychologist, developmental paediatrician, or psychiatrist. You can access public assessment through your family doctor (referral required) or pay privately. Wait times for publicly funded assessment vary by province and region, in Ontario, waits can exceed several years in some areas.
Families navigating autism services in Ontario face a documented multi-year wait. Here is the Ontario data — and a two-minute way to push back, when you are ready.