| Type | Broadband communication screen (not autism-specific) |
|---|---|
| Age range | 6–24 months; independently validated for standalone screening use from 9 months |
| Format | 24 parent-report questions, ~5–10 minutes |
| Who administers | Parents complete it; professionals score against age norms |
| Cost | Free for screening use; available via the First Words Project (Florida State University) |
What it measures
Three composites that together predict later language and social development:
- Social: emotion and eye gaze, shared attention, gestures — does your baby look at you, share smiles, point and show?
- Speech: sounds and early words — babbling variety, first word attempts.
- Symbolic: understanding and object use — responding to words, using objects functionally, early pretend.
Because it screens communication broadly rather than autism specifically, a flag can reflect autism, language delay, hearing loss, or a general developmental delay — every one of which benefits from early support. That breadth is a feature at this age, not a weakness.
Why it matters
The autism-specific M-CHAT-R/F starts at 16 months. If your concerns begin earlier — a 9-month-old who rarely responds to their name, a 12-month-old with no babbling or gestures — the ITC is the validated way to turn that worry into a documented, scoreable data point you can bring to your pediatrician. Pair it with the signs-by-age checklist.
The 16-by-16 rule of thumb: the First Words Project's research highlights 16 gestures children typically use by 16 months (giving, showing, pointing, waving…). Few or no gestures by 12–16 months is one of the strongest early signals to act on — regardless of any score.
After the ITC
A concerning result at any age is a reason to request a developmental evaluation and a hearing test now — and, in the U.S., to refer your child to free early intervention yourself. There is no age minimum on acting early.
Medical disclaimer: Educational information only. The CSBS-DP belongs to its authors (Wetherby & Prizant). This page cannot diagnose your child; consult a qualified clinician.