The ADOS-2
The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2), is a face-to-face assessment that helps professionals evaluate children for possible autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
During the ADOS-2, our highly trained teammates carefully observe how your child talks, plays, and interacts with others. Diagnostic professionals can use the results of the ADOS-2 to inform the autism diagnostic process.
What is the ADOS-2?
The ADOS-2 is a structured, in-person evaluation that helps professionals observe how a child communicates, interacts, and responds during guided activities. The assessment is designed to gather detailed information through direct interaction rather than relying only on questionnaires or reports. The results can help determine whether a child may benefit from further diagnostic consideration for autism spectrum disorder.
- Widely used clinical measure
The ADOS-2 is commonly used by trained professionals as part of a comprehensive autism evaluation. It is supported by extensive research and helps clinicians observe behaviors associated with autism in a consistent and structured way, contributing meaningful information to the overall diagnostic process.
- Child-centered interaction
The assessment is designed to feel natural and engaging for children. Rather than a traditional medical exam, the ADOS-2 involves guided interaction and activities suited to a child’s age and developmental level. Sessions typically last between 40 and 60 minutes and are structured to help children feel comfortable while clinicians observe key areas of development.
- Interpreting results
After the assessment, observations are scored based on how a child’s behaviors align with specific developmental patterns. A summary of the results is then shared with the child’s pediatrician or referring provider, who uses this information alongside other clinical findings to guide diagnosis and recommendations.
What does the ADOS-2 measure?
The ADOS-2 focuses on observing key aspects of a child’s development that may relate to autism. During the evaluation, a clinician carefully notes how the child communicates, interacts, and responds across a range of guided activities, providing insight into social and behavioral patterns in a natural setting.
Some of the main areas the ADOS-2 measures include:
- Social communication: Things like making eye contact, using gestures, or sharing enjoyment with others
- Play and imagination: How the child uses toys and whether they pretend or act out stories
- Language use: How the child talks and responds during social situations
- Repetitive behaviors or strong interests: Such as repeating movements or being very focused on a certain topic
Behaviors that are best at predicting autism are assigned scores to help determine how closely a child’s behaviors match common signs of autism.
ADOS-2 modules explained
The ADOS-2 is a research-backed assessment that includes five modules, each designed for the individual’s age and language abilities. This module system ensures that the evaluation is tailored to your child’s age and communication abilities.
- Toddler Module: Designed for very young children between 12 and 30 months, focusing on early social and communication behaviors.
- Module 1: Intended for children who are not yet using phrase speech and primarily communicate through sounds, gestures, or single words.
- Module 2: Used with children who can form phrases but have not reached full conversational fluency.
- Module 3: Appropriate for children who are verbally fluent and able to engage in more complex conversation.
- Module 4: Designed for verbally fluent adolescents and adults, with activities adjusted for age and language level.
At HEMYS, we use the Toddler Module and Modules 1–3 to assess children ages 18 months through 6 years old. Our team selects the appropriate module based on your child’s communication skills and developmental stage.
Understanding the ADOS-2 results
Frequently asked questions
Why is it important to get an autism diagnosis for your child?
A formal autism diagnosis is required before your child can begin to access certain developmental therapies or services through their school, like HEMYS therapy.
Who conducts the ADOS-2?
The ADOS-2 is conducted by a trained clinician who meets the publisher’s criteria for administering and scoring 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?
The clinician completes a set of play-based activities while observing for key behaviors associated with autism. These activities can be different depending on the child’s age and how much they talk. Once the activities are completed, the clinician scores the assessment and the results help identify how the child’s behaviors align with signs of autism. When the results are ready, typically 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 a child might have autism, but it does not officially diagnose it. Instead, it informs your child’s provider’s evaluation for autism to make the final diagnosis.
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 HEMYS therapy.
Who can administer the ADOS-2?
Only professionals who have been trained in the tool and meet the publisher’s qualifications are allowed to administer the ADOS-2. At Action Behavior Centers, our team members undergo intensive training and ongoing supervision to uphold the highest standards of clinical care.
How often can the ADOS-2 be administered?
The ADOS-2 can be administered more than once. However, repeated assessments are usually spaced out and only recommended when new questions arise about the child’s development or when earlier results were inconclusive.
Does insurance cover the ADOS-2?
We provide the ADOS-2 as a no-cost service to the community.