ADOS Assessment

Autism is a condition that shows itself as difficulties with social adaptation, language skills and psychological development. Evaluating it is a complex, multi-stage process. Many parents think there is no method that can reliably diagnose autism.

ADOS is a modern diagnostic tool that can be used to confirm or rule out a diagnosis even when there are only slight suspicions of autistic traits.

The ADOS observation protocol is highly informative and is regarded as one of the best methods in the world for diagnosing the presence and severity of autism. ADOS autism assessment is carried out for children in whom any disorder of psychological development is suspected.

The ADOS method is a structured examination in which the following are assessed:

• communication and interaction skills;
• play skills;
• behavioral characteristics.

The advantage of the ADOS method of autism assessment is that it can be used regardless of the age of the child (or adult) and the level of language ability. There are 4 ADOS modules, used depending on how well the child speaks:

1. For no speech.
2. When speech consists of short phrases.
3. For children who speak fluently.
4. For teenagers and adults with well-developed speech.

This method is used successfully worldwide for diagnosing autism because ADOS is an observation scale based on simulating social situations and observing children's reactions to them.

How the Assessment Works

The child is examined in the presence of the parents, but they must not initiate communication or try to attract attention in any way.

The testing uses special toys and didactic materials that best reveal the child's social interaction skills.

The specialist prepares in advance structured situations in which a typically developing child will behave in the usual way, while a child with an autism spectrum disorder will respond differently.

The ADOS assessment of the presence and severity of autism takes place in the psychologist's office and lasts 1 academic hour (45 minutes). During this time the specialist offers the child engaging games and situations that are hard to ignore:

• response to an adult's smile and gaze;
• free play: the specialist lets the child choose an activity independently and joins in;
• checking the response to the child's own name, that is, how the child reacts when called;
• checking the general response to what is happening in the room;
• the psychologist blows soap bubbles, a game all children enjoy; at some point the psychologist stops, and a child would typically ask for the activity to continue;
• anticipation of familiar actions: the specialist stops "halfway" without finishing an action, and the child should continue it;
• routine actions with toys, using them for their intended purpose as a whole rather than in parts (for example, looking only at spinning wheels);
• the "doll's birthday" game, which makes it possible to check imitation and the ability to play "appropriately", develop a storyline and carry out ordinary actions;
• "snack time", when the child is offered a choice of several favorite treats.

If the child does not speak, the psychologist initiates interaction through play and draws conclusions based on the child's engagement.

Throughout the session a second specialist records what is happening or films it. The assessment is made, and conclusions are drawn, on the basis of observing the child's behavior, reactions and social interaction.

The test results take the following parameters into account:

• the ability to keep up a dialogue;
• play with imaginary objects;
• the range of the child's interests;
• language skills, the ability to form sentences, the presence of echolalia, and the child's intonation;
• whether the child seeks to attract attention and to share discoveries and finds with an adult;
• pointing, the use of gestures in communication, and stereotyped actions and phrases;
• the ability to take part in joint activity and to initiate it;
• response to the child's own name, purposeful eye contact, facial expression and emotional expressiveness;
• variety of interests and the ability to develop a play storyline rather than just manipulate objects;
• outbursts of aggression or tantrums when the child does not get what he or she wants;
• self-stimulating actions: spinning, flapping hands in front of the eyes and so on.

The ADOS method can be used for children who are at least 1 year old and are able to walk independently.

Where to Get an ADOS Assessment in Kyiv

At our clinic, autism assessment using the ADOS differential scale is carried out by qualified specialists who are trained, experienced and highly professional. The child's ability to adapt to the modern world will depend on timely, good-quality assessment and timely corrective work.

The results of the ADOS assessment should be kept so that, after some time, they can be compared, so that improvements can be noted and conclusions drawn about whether the rehabilitation program has been chosen correctly. Rehabilitation is a difficult period for the child and the family members, but under the supervision of our clinic's specialists this path may become shorter and more effective.