Free Autism Assessment Online — 14 Domains, Personalised Results
Across the six countries where GrowthCopter is most used — Ireland, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, the United States, and India — families share one common experience: the wait for a formal autism assessment is long, and the period of waiting is structurally unsupported. In Ireland, HSE waiting lists exceed 2 years in most CHO areas. NHS CAMHS waiting lists in the UK run 2 to 5 years. In Australia, public assessment waits average 12 to 18 months. Private assessments are faster but expensive — €800 to €2,000 in Ireland and the UK, $1,500 to $3,000 in Australia, $2,000 to $5,000 in the USA.
The practical consequence is that children aged 2 to 7 — during the developmental window when structured, consistent intervention produces its greatest outcomes — spend those years without a support plan. GrowthCopter exists to fill that gap. The assessment is not a substitute for a clinical diagnosis, and it is not a clinical diagnostic tool. It is a structured developmental assessment that identifies where your child needs support across 14 domains and generates a personalised action plan immediately.
GrowthCopter's assessment covers every major developmental domain relevant to autism and developmental delay in children aged 2 to 14. Each domain is assessed independently, with questions calibrated to the child's age and adjusted for developmental level. The two-stage assessment asks initial questions across all 14 domains and then generates deeper, targeted follow-up questions in any domain where the child shows difficulty — ensuring a thorough picture without overwhelming families with unnecessary questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GrowthCopter's autism assessment really free?
Yes. The developmental assessment is free for every child profile, always — no credit card required, no trial period, no hidden fees. You can retake the assessment every two months to track developmental progress over time. Creating a user account is free and allows you to add unlimited child profiles, each with their own free assessments.
What developmental domains does the assessment cover?
GrowthCopter's assessment covers 14 developmental domains: receptive language, expressive language, social reciprocity, emotional regulation, sensory processing, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, self-care, play skills, cognitive development, pre-academic skills, adaptive behaviour, attention, and functional communication. Each domain is assessed individually with questions calibrated to the child's age.
How long does the assessment take?
The initial assessment takes approximately 15 to 25 minutes, depending on the child's age and the number of domains where follow-up questions are triggered. The two-stage process starts with an initial set of questions across each domain, then generates targeted follow-up questions in any area where the child shows difficulty — so the total time varies based on where the child's challenges lie.
Is an online developmental assessment accurate?
GrowthCopter's assessment is a developmental support tool — it identifies areas of need and generates a targeted support plan. It is not a clinical diagnostic instrument and does not issue an autism diagnosis. For a formal autism diagnosis, a licensed clinical professional using standardised tools such as the ADOS-2 is required. GrowthCopter provides structured support immediately while families pursue a formal evaluation.
Can I take the assessment without a formal autism diagnosis?
Yes. GrowthCopter does not require a diagnosis, a referral, or any clinical documentation. If you have developmental concerns about your child, the assessment will identify specific areas of need and generate a personalised support plan immediately. Many families use GrowthCopter while waiting for formal assessment or before any diagnosis has been made.
How is GrowthCopter different from an M-CHAT or ADOS assessment?
The M-CHAT-R is a brief screening checklist used by paediatricians to identify children who may need further evaluation — it does not generate a support plan. The ADOS-2 is a clinical diagnostic instrument used by trained assessors to diagnose autism. GrowthCopter's assessment covers 14 developmental domains in depth, generates a personalised set of goals, and provides up to 600 monthly structured activities — making it a developmental support tool rather than a screening or diagnostic instrument.
What do I receive after completing the assessment?
After completing the assessment, you receive: a developmental profile covering all 14 domains; a personalised set of prioritised goals based on where your child needs most support; and access to up to 600 structured monthly activities matched to those goals. Goals and activities are updated each time you retake the assessment as your child develops.
Can I retake the assessment as my child develops?
Yes. The assessment can be retaken every two months. Retaking the assessment generates an updated developmental profile and refreshed goals and activities — allowing you to track progress over time and ensure the support plan remains aligned to where your child is right now.