Forest Autism Support

Assessment, Consultancy & Education

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07525 496903

ADOS-2

Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule

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What is ADOS-2?

ADOS-2 is the most current and up top date observation schedule being used by health professionals to assess toddlers through to adults as part of diagnostic decision making for ASD.

The ADOS-2 schedule focuses on the ASD triad of:

  • communication
  • reciprocal social interaction and
  • imagination, creativity, stereotyped behaviours and restricted interest

It is an observation schedule designed to measure behavioural response, communication and communicative intent in relation to the triad of features characteristic of ASDs.

There are 5 ADOS modules, including the new toddler module. I am qualified to administer this new module which can assess children from 12-30 months during play based observations an information gathering. Module 1 is for children who are pre-verbal/using single words for individuals 31months or older. Module 2 is for all ages with phrased speech and younger children with fluent speech. Modules 3 and 4 are for older children, adolescents and adults. One of these five modules is chosen for administration in any one assessment, on the basis of the individual’s expressive language ability and age. The ADOS-2 schedule is designed to provide a basis for diagnosis of classic presentations of childhood autism and of atypical autism. It also provides a framework for the collection of information relating to more broadly defined autism spectrum.

The assessment can take place at home, at pre-school/school or at my home office if this is felt more suitable. It comprises of approximately 14 activities/conversations all age appropriate and carefully constructed so as to gain the most useful information when making judgements around the triad of impairments. The information is then carefully coded and the results establish whether the child or adult fall within a certain threshold for ASD relation symptoms.

It should be noted that the ADOS alone is not able to ‘diagnose’ ASD, neither am I able to do so as a Specialist Teacher, but I am very experienced in this field and this assessment gives a comprehensive evaluation of the likelihood that the child or adult completing the assessment has difficulties that fall in line with a ‘classic’ ASD diagnosis, or not. This can then be used as part of further multi-disciplinary assessment and decision making by a Paediatrician, Psychiatrist or Psychologist.

Please contact me for more information regarding this type of assessment.