What is the Social Responsiveness Scale, 2nd Ed (SRS-2)?

A familiar questionnaire that turns a parent's or teacher's everyday observations into a structured picture of how a child relates to others.

In short

The Social Responsiveness Scale, Second Edition (SRS-2) is a widely used questionnaire that helps clinicians understand how a child notices, responds to and connects with other people in everyday life. Completed by a parent, carer or teacher, it gathers observations about social awareness, communication and behaviour — not as a stand-alone diagnosis, but as one helpful thread in a fuller developmental picture. It is a screening and supporting tool that a qualified clinician interprets alongside direct observation and other information.

What the SRS-2 assesses

The SRS-2 asks a familiar adult to rate a child on a series of everyday statements — how the child reads social cues, joins in play, takes turns in conversation, makes eye contact, manages change, and responds to others' feelings. These responses are grouped into areas that together describe social communication and interaction, including social awareness, social thinking, social motivation, and patterns of behaviour or interests. There are different forms across the lifespan — for preschoolers, school-age children, and adults — and matching versions for parents, teachers and self-report where suitable.

What makes it valuable is that it draws on real-life observation across different settings — home and school can tell different parts of the same story. It does not produce a label by itself; instead it gives a clinician a structured, comparable summary that can highlight where a child may benefit from a closer look and tailored support.

When it is used

A clinician may suggest the SRS-2 as part of a broader developmental assessment, often when questions arise about social communication. It is one piece of evidence — never used alone to decide anything. The strength of the social profile it produces lies in combining the SRS-2 with direct clinical observation, developmental history and other measures, so that the result reflects the whole child rather than a single questionnaire.

The Pinnacle way

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, never from a form or app alone. Where social communication is in focus, our team may draw on tools such as the SRS-2 alongside hands-on assessment, and shape an individualised plan that can include speech therapy and other supports.

Trusted sources

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association guidance on social communication assessment; the American Academy of Pediatrics and HealthyChildren on developmental screening; WHO information on autism and social communication.

Next step — If you have questions about your child's social communication, book a developmental assessment so a clinician can choose the right tools and build a supportive plan.