ISAA Test for Autism: Meaning, Score & Full Form
Reviewed by Ms. Anmol Joy Anthony, RCI-registered psychologist
If a doctor, teacher or therapist has suggested an ISAA test for your child, you probably have questions: what it is, what happens during it, and what the score means. This guide answers them in plain language.
What is the full form of ISAA?
ISAA stands for the Indian Scale for Assessment of Autism. It is a rating scale developed by the Government of India to assess autism in the Indian population, and it is the scale used for autism disability certification in India. You may also see it written as “ISSA” – it is the same test.
Need an ISAA assessment in Pune? Our RCI-registered psychologist conducts ISAA assessments at our centre in Hadapsar, near Magarpatta, and explains every result in plain language. WhatsApp us or call +91 93226 72088.
What does the ISAA test measure?
ISAA has 40 questions grouped into six areas of a child’s development:
- Social relationships and reciprocity – eye contact, responding to people, playing with other children
- Emotional responsiveness – showing and understanding feelings
- Speech, language and communication – how the child understands and uses words and gestures
- Behaviour patterns – repetitive movements, fixed routines, unusual attachment to objects
- Sensory aspects – reactions to sound, touch, light, taste or smell
- Cognitive component – attention, memory and thinking skills
Looking at all six areas gives a broader picture of the child than any single behaviour can.
How is the ISAA test scored?
Each of the 40 items is rated from 1 to 5 based on how often the behaviour is seen, from 1 (rarely) to 5 (always). The total score therefore ranges from 40 to 200. A total score of 70 or above indicates autism.
What does my child’s ISAA score mean?
- Below 70: no autism
- 70 to 106: mild autism
- 107 to 153: moderate autism
- Above 153: severe autism
A score is one part of the picture. A qualified professional reads it together with your child’s developmental history, observation during the assessment and what you see at home. Always discuss the result with the person who assessed your child.
Is ISAA the same as a diagnosis?
ISAA gives structured information about autism-related characteristics, but it should not be viewed on its own. A diagnosis brings together the score, the child’s history and professional observation. At Neuro Revolution International, ISAA is one of our clinical assessments, used to understand your child’s profile and set a baseline for a personalised therapy plan.
Can the ISAA report be used for a disability certificate?
Disability certificates for autism, including the UDID card, are issued by government-authorised medical boards, which use ISAA for certification. Our ISAA assessment helps you understand your child’s needs and plan therapy, and we guide parents step by step through the disability certificate and UDID process.
What happens during the ISAA assessment?
The assessment takes about 30 to 45 minutes. You will be asked about your child’s development, communication, behaviour, social interaction and daily routines, and the psychologist will observe how your child responds and plays. What you share matters, because some behaviours are more noticeable at home than in a clinic.
Afterwards you receive a written report, plus a report discussion session where we explain the results in plain language and answer your questions.
How should parents prepare?
- Share your child’s developmental history (when they sat, walked, spoke first words)
- Bring any previous assessment or therapy reports
- Describe your concerns honestly
- Note what you or the school have noticed recently
- Let your child respond naturally – there is no need to coach them
- Write down any questions you want to ask
Why is early assessment important?
An assessment helps you understand where your child needs support, so you can start the right help sooner. It also gives a baseline to measure progress against as therapy continues.
Where can I get an ISAA test in Pune?
Our RCI-registered psychologist conducts ISAA assessments at Neuro Revolution International in Bhosale Nagar, Hadapsar, about 1 km from Magarpatta City. Consultations run Monday to Saturday, 2:30 to 6:30 PM, in English, Hindi and Marathi. No referral or prior diagnosis is needed.
Book an ISAA assessment in Pune. WhatsApp us or call +91 93226 72088. We’ll explain the process, the fee and the next available slot.