Authors: Squires, J. & Bricker, D.
Year of Publication: 2009
Publisher: Paul H Brooks Publishing Company
Type of Assessments:
Standardized
Norm-referenced
Screening tool
Cost: $295-$325
How to Access: https://agesandstages.com/products-pricing/asq3/
Age: 1 month - 5 years 6 months
Diagnoses: Children at risk or suspected of developmental delay (e.g. premature birth, low birth weight, genetic conditions)
Setting: Early Intervention, school-based, outpatient pediatrics, community centers, early childhood education
developmental screening tool that pinpoints developmental progress in children
Gross Motor
Fine Motor
Personal-social
Communication
Problem-solving
Time: 10-15 mins
Group/Individual: Individual
Subtests: 30 questions
Instructions: After introducing the purpose and format of the assessment, ensure the caregiver responds to all questions as honestly as possible to gather an accurate representation of the child's current behaviors. Once completed, review of "overall" section for any caregiver concerns about the child as well.
Materials:
Baby bottle (clear)
Ball: large (with hand pump to inflate; ball may be stored deflated when not being used)
Ball: small
Beads: small, to string (10 included)
Book: wordless picture book
Book: storybook with pictures
Blocks: small (15 included)
Bowl
Coloring book (with tear-out pages)
Crayons: two sizes (one 4-pack of small; one 3-pack of chunky)
Cup
Fork (child size)
Jars: clear plastic with screw lid, one short and one tall (short one may be used for “jar with screw lid” or “wind-up toy”; tall one may be used for “clear bottle” if baby bottle is not used)
Mirror
Puzzle (5–7-piece, interlocking)
Scissors (child-safe)
Shoelace (may be used for “string”)
Spoon (child size) (may be used for “stick”)
Stuffed doll or animal with buttons and zipper (may be used for “doll”)
Toy: keys on a ring (may be used for “small toy” or “rattle”)
Toy: small, easy to grasp
Container for organizing the kit’s small items
Booklet on how to use the kit
Laminated list of kit items
User Qualifications: Examiners should be familiar with the ASQ-3 user's guide with optional training guides available on scoring and interpreting results.
How to Score: After ensuring all items are complete, score each item based on the assigned response values:
Yes = 10 points
Sometimes = 5 points
Not Yet = 0 points
Add the items for each developmental area and transfer into the scoring grid
Fill in the corresponding bubbles on the bar graph to visualize results
Transfer 'yes' and 'no' responses to the summary sheet
Compare scores to the age-specific cutoff scores listed within the manual
Score Indications:
Above Cutoff - skills that are within the expected range for the child's age, suggesting typical development
Monitoring Zone - scores that fall near but above the cutoff, suggesting slowly emerging skills to continue monitoring for
Below Cutoff - scores are below the cutoff for their age, indicating a risk for developmental delay within the specified domain that should be further evaluated
Reliability:
Good test-retest reliability
Validity:
Strong based on comparisons to the Battelle Developmental Inventory and other similar assessments (86%)
Strengths:
Different questionnaires based on specific age-groups
Quick, easy to complete for parents & score
Available in different languages (e.g. Spanish, Chinese, French, etc.)
Teach parents about child development and their own child’s skills
Capture parents’ in-depth knowledge
Highlight a child’s strengths as well as concerns
Highly valid, reliable, and accurate
Fun & engaging
Weaknesses:
Requires caregivers' subject report
Utilizes a lot of materials
Only a screen - requires use of further evaluation
ASQ-3 - Ages and stages. (2025). Ages and Stages. https://agesandstages.com/products-pricing/asq3/
Squires, J., & Bricker, D. (2009). Ages & Stages Questionnaires®, Third Edition (ASQ®-3): A Parent-Completed Child Monitoring System. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., Inc.