Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS2) for the Clinical Setting (Online Course)

Overview

Overview

ADOS-2 is a semi-structured, standardised assessment of communication, social interaction, play/imaginative use of materials and restricted and repetitive behaviours for individuals who have been referred because of possible autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Fundamentally new to the ADOS-2 than ADOS-G are the procedures involved in the algorithm computation and the Comparison Score for module 1 through 3 which were revised on the basis of the findings of recent validation research. The new comparison score provides a way of indicating a participant’s level of autism spectrum related symptomatology and it can also be used to interpret an individual’s own change in autism spectrum related symptoms over time.

ADOS-2 also includes a toddler module, which is designed for very young children who do not use phrase speech but who are between the ages of twelve and thirty months. The toddler module has its own algorithms that provide ‘ranges of concern’ instead of cut-off scores.

A variety of specialists will use the ADOS-2, their use of results in writing reports and making recommendations to inform medical diagnoses, special education classification and occupational therapists and speech and hearing professionals might use for treatment planning.

Training in the ADOS-2 is now available online for use in the clinical setting through the Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College Dublin. The training is aimed at professionals with a mental health background who have some familiarity with the tool and it focused on teaching correct administration of the instrument.

The online course is structured around 3 components:
1. A pre-course self-directed component (approx 4 hours self directed learning);
2. A live online course over two days (2 x 5.5 hours) on ADOS Module 1-4 administration;
3. A post-course assignment.

ADOS-2 Toddler Module will be available as a post-course optional online learning module. The access to this Module will be granted after successfully completed training in Modules 1-4 and post-course assignment that assesses their reliability.

Lecturer: Prof. Louise Gallagher.