The ADOS-2
What is the ADOS-2?
A gold standard
The ADOS-2 is considered a “gold standard” method for helping determine if a child has ASD. This tool is backed by research and helps clinicians reliably and accurately identify autism symptoms regardless of the child’s age or developmental level.
Play-based
Children have fun participating in the ADOS-2—it’s not like going to the doctor! During the 30 to 60-minute assessment, our clinicians engage in play and activities tailored to your child’s age and developmental abilities.
Scoring
Following the assessment, scores are calculated that indicate how closely the child’s behaviors in key areas match autism characteristics. The score and a summary are sent to the child’s pediatrician or referring provider to incorporate in their diagnostic process and recommendations.
Who can take the ADOS-2?
Frequently asked questions
Why is it important to get an autism diagnosis for your child? A formal autism diagnosis is often required before your child can begin to access developmental therapies or services through their school like ABA therapy.
Who conducts the ADOS-2?
The ADOS-2 is conducted by trained teammates who meet the publisher’s criteria for the administration and scoring of the tool. Our teammates receive intensive initial training on the ADOS-2 as well as ongoing training to maintain their clinical skills.
What happens during the ADOS-2?
Throughout the assessment, the teammate calculates a score based on how the child’s behaviors align with autism signs. When the results are ready, usually within one week, they are sent to the referring pediatric medical provider to inform their evaluation, diagnosis decisions and recommendations.
Does the ADOS-2 diagnose autism?
The ADOS-2 is a great tool for seeing if someone might have autism, but it does not officially diagnose it. Instead, it can inform a provider’s evaluation for autism. The results from the ADOS-2 need to be examined by a doctor who can make the final diagnosis. A provider might also gather the following information to make an autism diagnosis:
- Interview with the child’s caregivers
- Developmental and medical history
- Additional tests or questionnaires
What happens after the ADOS-2?
The ADOS-2 results summary is sent to your child’s treating doctor for review. They will consider all sources of information to determine if your child meets the diagnostic criteria for autism. Your doctor may recommend further steps, such as more in-depth testing with a specialist. If a diagnosis of autism is made, your doctor will make treatment recommendations, such as ABA therapy.
Does insurance cover the ADOS-2?
We provide the ADOS-2 as a no-cost service to the community.
Schedule the ADOS-2
Contact your nearest Action Behavior location or complete the following form to schedule the ADOS-2. This form helps us match you with a center. Our team will be in touch soon!
