| Type | Level 2 screen — for children already flagged by a first screen or clinical concern |
|---|---|
| Age range | 24–36 months |
| Format | 12 interactive play activities, ~20 minutes, scored live |
| Who administers | Professionals trained and certified in the STAT (developed at Vanderbilt by Wendy Stone's group) |
| Cost | Administered within clinics/early-intervention programs; not a self-serve tool |
What the activities look at
- Play: how your child uses toys — functionally, imaginatively, or repetitively.
- Imitation: whether they copy simple modeled actions.
- Requesting: how they ask for help or for a desired object — gestures, eye contact, vocalizing.
- Directing attention: whether they point or show to share interest with the examiner.
These are precisely the areas where early autism differences concentrate, which is why a 20-minute structured observation adds real information beyond what any parent questionnaire can capture.
Where it fits in the pathway
Think of the STAT as the bridge between a flag and a full evaluation: M-CHAT-R/F positive → STAT (or straight to evaluation) → comprehensive diagnostic evaluation. In practice, many early-intervention programs use the STAT to prioritize referrals while diagnostic waitlists are long. If it's offered to your family, it's a good sign the program is being thorough — but you don't need to wait for a STAT to get on evaluation waitlists or start services.
Waitlist rule: no screening step — including this one — should delay early intervention. In the U.S., services for under-3s require no diagnosis at all. See next steps.
Medical disclaimer: Educational information only. The STAT belongs to its authors. This page cannot diagnose your child; consult a qualified clinician.