What Are Performance Tasks in Autism Screening?

PostedNovember 10, 2025

UpdatedNovember 10, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Lucia Alvarez, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Performance tasks in autism screening are designed to assess a child’s social, communication, and cognitive skills through interactive activities. These tasks allow healthcare professionals to observe how a child responds to various situations, which can help identify developmental screening concerns and potential signs of autism. Unlike questionnaires or checklists, performance tasks involve direct observation, giving professionals a clearer picture of how the child engages with their environment.

These tasks are used as part of the autism screening process, providing valuable insights into the child’s abilities and challenges. Through interactive measures, such as playing games, following instructions, or engaging in simple tasks, professionals can assess the child’s skills and social responses in real-time.

How Performance Tasks in Autism Screening Work

Here’s how performance tasks in autism screening are structured:

Interactive Measures:

Performance tasks in autism screening involve engaging the child in structured activities designed to test their communication, social skills, and ability to respond to different stimuli. These tasks may include simple games, activities that require eye contact, or tasks that test the child’s ability to follow directions or engage in pretend play.

Skill Observation:

These tasks offer an opportunity for skill observation, allowing healthcare providers to watch how the child interacts with toys, people, or objects. For example, a child may be asked to engage in a task that requires sharing or turn-taking, both of which can reveal important social communication skills.

Developmental Screening:

Performance tasks are an essential part of developmental screening for autism. They help assess areas such as problem-solving, sensory processing, attention, and social interaction, all of which can be affected by autism. By observing how the child completes these tasks, professionals can better understand the child’s strengths and challenges.

Performance tasks in autism screening provide a comprehensive view of a child’s abilities, helping professionals identify signs of autism early. For expert advice and personalised consultations, visit providers like Autism Detect to help guide you through the next steps in autism evaluation.

For a deeper dive into the science, diagnosis, and full treatment landscape, read our complete guide to Autism Screening and Assessment Tools.

Lucia Alvarez, MSc

Author

Lucia Alvarez is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and extensive experience providing evidence-based therapy and psychological assessment to children, adolescents, and adults. Skilled in CBT, DBT, and other therapeutic interventions, she has worked in hospital, community, and residential care settings. Her expertise includes grief counseling, anxiety management, and resilience-building, with a strong focus on creating safe, supportive environments to improve mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy.

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.