ASQ Screening
What is the ASQ developmental screening?
The ASQ (Ages & Stages Questionnaires) is a parent-completed developmental screening tool that checks five areas — communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem-solving and personal-social skills — across age bands from infancy to about 5–6 years. It is a first-step checkpoint, not a diagnosis. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care.
A few simple questionnaires, filled in by the people who know your child best — you — can gently reveal how your little one is growing across every important area.
In short
The ASQ (Ages & Stages Questionnaires) is a widely used, parent-completed developmental screening tool — not a diagnosis. You answer short, age-specific questions about everyday things your child can do, and the results show whether development is on track or whether a closer look might help. It checks five key areas: communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem-solving, and personal-social skills. A separate version, the ASQ:SE, focuses on social-emotional development.What the ASQ checks
There are age-banded questionnaires from infancy through around 5–6 years, each tuned to what is typical at that age. The five core areas are:- Communication — how your child understands words and uses sounds, gestures and speech.
- Gross motor — big movements like sitting, crawling, walking, running and climbing.
- Fine motor — smaller hand movements such as grasping, stacking and scribbling.
- Problem-solving — how your child plays, explores and learns about objects and the world.
- Personal-social — how your child interacts, plays with others and manages everyday self-care.
You simply tick yes, sometimes or not yet for each item. The questionnaire is quick, plain-language and based on watching your child during normal play — there is no "pass or fail". It is a first step, designed to flag areas worth a professional review, never to label a child.
What a screen does — and doesn't — do
A screening tool like the ASQ is a friendly checkpoint, not the final word. If a result suggests one or more areas need attention, the next step is a comprehensive developmental assessment by a qualified clinician, who can look more closely and guide any support. Many children flagged on a screen simply need a little more time or some early encouragement — and early review is always reassuring rather than alarming.The Pinnacle way
A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care — never from a questionnaire alone. A screen like the ASQ can point the way; from there our clinicians build a precise, strengths-first picture of your child. Explore [how we support your child's growth](/) and what the AbilityScore® is and how it is calculated, and if communication is a focus, learn about our speech therapy programme.Trusted sources
CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." developmental monitoring and screening guidance; American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org) recommendations on routine developmental screening; WHO healthy child development resources.Next step — Curious how your child is developing? Book a developmental assessment with a Pinnacle clinician for a complete, reassuring picture.
This is general information, not a diagnosis — a clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care.
What to watch
Note any area where your child is well behind peers — not talking or pointing, not sitting or walking near the expected age, little interest in play or people, or loss of skills once gained — and share it at a developmental check.
Try this at home
When filling in any developmental questionnaire, answer based on what you actually see your child do in everyday play this week — not what they did once, and not what you hope. Honest answers give the most useful picture.
Trusted sources
Developed by SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network · Last reviewed 2026-06-10 · reviewed every 365 days
This is general information, not a diagnosis. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care.
Frequently asked
Is the ASQ a diagnosis of autism or delay?
No. The ASQ is a screening tool — a friendly checkpoint that flags areas worth a closer look. Any diagnosis comes only from a comprehensive assessment by a qualified clinician at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre.
Who fills in the ASQ?
Parents or main caregivers, because you know your child's everyday abilities best. You tick yes, sometimes or not yet for short, age-specific questions about what your child can do.
What ages does the ASQ cover?
There are age-banded questionnaires from infancy through around 5 to 6 years, each tuned to what is typical at that stage of development.
What happens if my child's ASQ result flags a concern?
It simply means a closer look may help. The next step is a comprehensive developmental assessment with a clinician, who can guide any support. Many children flagged on a screen just need a little more time or gentle encouragement.