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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Screening Tool

Understanding Unique Perspectives & Promoting Inclusion

Section 1: Introduction & Purpose

Welcome to the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Screening Tool. This resource is designed to help individuals, parents, and professionals gain a clearer understanding of potential autistic traits, identify unique strengths, and guide strategies for support and inclusion.

Who is this Screening Tool For?

This screener is for individuals of all ages (children, young adults, and adults) who experience persistent challenges in social communication and interaction, and/or exhibit restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests, or activities.

It is managed by a professional (e.g. teacher, SENCo, psychologist, support worker, or parent) to help guide the process and discuss the results.

What Will This Tool Do?

This tool will help to:

Identify if experiences align with common indicators of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Highlight individual's unique strengths (e.g. attention to detail, strong memory for facts, logical thinking, deep focus on interests, honesty, loyalty) often associated with ASD.
Provide practical insights into communication preferences and effective strategies for fostering understanding and inclusion.
Guide recommendations for further assessment (e.g. by a multidisciplinary team), educational adjustments, or workplace accommodations.

Important Information:

It is vital to understand that this is a screening tool, not a formal diagnostic assessment for ASD. It is designed to inform support and identify the need for further investigation, not to label.

A formal diagnosis of ASD can typically only be provided by a multidisciplinary team of qualified professionals (e.g. paediatrician, psychiatrist, psychologist, speech and language therapist).

Our Strengths-Based Approach:

We believe everyone has strengths and unique ways of thinking. This screener, in line with The Dynamic Development Plan framework, focuses on understanding the individual's whole profile. It is not just about identifying challenges, but about recognising their resilience, unique perspectives, and other talents that can help them thrive.

Let us begin to explore their unique potential!

Section 2: Background & Developmental History

This section helps us understand the individual's developmental history and how they experience social communication and interests now. Please complete all relevant fields.

Individual Details & Current Context

1. Full Name of Individual Being Screened:

2. Age:

3. Relationship to Individual (if completing for someone else):

4. Current Education Level / Main Activity:

5. Name of Professional Administering Screener:

6. Date of Screening Tool Completion:

Developmental History & Family Context

7. Were there any early developmental concerns (e.g. related to social interaction, communication, repetitive behaviours)?

Yes, concerns noted No Not sure

8. Is there any family history of ASD or related neurodevelopmental conditions?

Yes No Not sure

9. Has the individual received any previous support or assessments for developmental or behavioural concerns (e.g. speech therapy, behavioural support, previous ASD screening)?

Yes No Not sure

Section 3: Core ASD Indicators & Observations

Observe or discuss the individual's social communication, interaction, and patterns of behaviour/interests. Please provide specific details to ensure the report is accurate.

FOR PROFESSIONAL/PARENT USE ONLY: Observe/discuss and record observations/notes below.

Social Communication & Interaction

1. Reciprocity & back-and-forth communication (e.g. initiating/responding to conversations, sharing interests, understanding social cues):

2. Non-verbal communication (e.g. eye contact, facial expressions, gestures, body language):

3. Developing/maintaining relationships & understanding social cues (e.g. making friends, understanding social rules, empathy):

Restricted, Repetitive Patterns of Behaviour, Interests, or Activities

4. Repetitive movements or speech (e.g. hand flapping, rocking, repeating phrases, unusual vocalizations):

5. Inflexibility, adherence to routines, or resistance to change:

6. Highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus:

7. Sensory sensitivities (hyper- or hypo-reactivity to sensory input, unusual interest in sensory aspects):

8. Overall Observations from Professional/Parent (Optional, but highly recommended):

Note any general observations: patterns of behaviour, communication style, reactions to change, specific triggers or calming strategies used.

Section 4: Impact & Strengths

This section explores how autistic traits impact the individual's life and highlights their unique strengths.

1. How do these traits impact the individual's daily life, learning, work, or social situations?

(e.g. difficulty making friends, challenges in group work, struggles with unstructured tasks, sensory overload affecting attendance)

Your Unique Strengths & Perspectives

2. Describe the individual's unique strengths, talents, or areas where they excel due to their neurodivergent profile:

(e.g. exceptional memory for facts, attention to detail, logical thinking, deep knowledge in specific interests, honesty, loyalty, pattern recognition)

3. Describe other general strengths (e.g. academic, creative, practical skills, specific talents not related to ASD traits):

4. What strategies or tools does the individual currently use to manage challenges or support their well-being?

(e.g. using visual schedules, specific routines, noise-cancelling headphones, fidget toys, planning social interactions, special interests for calm)

Section 5: Findings & Recommendations

FOR PROFESSIONAL USE ONLY: Use this section to interpret findings and outline actionable recommendations based on the individual's responses and observations.

Overall Profile & Strengths:

Based on all sections, what are the individual's unique strengths and perspectives?

Potential Indicators of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD):

Based on the screening observations, are there consistent indicators of ASD traits? (Refer to specific observations from Sections 2, 3, and 4). Avoid definitive diagnosis. Note age-specific manifestations.

Immediate Practical Strategies & Support (The Dynamic Development Plan in Action):

Suggest immediate, practical strategies for home, education, or workplace to support social communication, sensory regulation, and routine management. Focus on leveraging strengths and promoting inclusion.

Recommendations for Next Steps & Future Inclusion:

What should happen next? Choose one or more options below and provide details.

Recommended Next Steps: Refer for multidisciplinary ASD assessment
Discuss with SENCo/Inclusion Manager for school support
Consider Occupational Therapy (OT) referral
Consider Speech & Language Therapy referral
Explore social skills groups/support
Consider workplace accommodations
Other (please specify below)

Thank you for completing the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Screening Tool.

This tool is designed to empower you with understanding and practical pathways for your future.

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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Screening Tool

Section 1: Introduction & Purpose

Who is this Screening Tool For?

What Will This Tool Do?

Important Information:

Our Strengths-Based Approach:

Section 2: Background & Developmental History

Individual Details & Current Context

Developmental History & Family Context

Section 3: Core ASD Indicators & Observations

Social Communication & Interaction

Restricted, Repetitive Patterns of Behaviour, Interests, or Activities

Section 4: Impact & Strengths

Your Unique Strengths & Perspectives

Section 5: Findings & Recommendations

Overall Profile & Strengths:

Potential Indicators of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD):

Immediate Practical Strategies & Support (The Dynamic Development Plan in Action):

Recommendations for Next Steps & Future Inclusion:

DDP Generated Report

Sign up for Newsletter

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Screening Tool

Section 1: Introduction & Purpose

Who is this Screening Tool For?

What Will This Tool Do?

Important Information:

Our Strengths-Based Approach:

Section 2: Background & Developmental History

Individual Details & Current Context

Developmental History & Family Context

Section 3: Core ASD Indicators & Observations

Social Communication & Interaction

Restricted, Repetitive Patterns of Behaviour, Interests, or Activities

Section 4: Impact & Strengths

Your Unique Strengths & Perspectives

Section 5: Findings & Recommendations

Overall Profile & Strengths:

Potential Indicators of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD):

Immediate Practical Strategies & Support (The Dynamic Development Plan in Action):

Recommendations for Next Steps & Future Inclusion:

DDP Generated Report

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