ADOS-2 Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule

Second Edition
Modules 1 through 4 | by Catherine Lord, PhD, Michael Rutter, MD, FRS, Pamela C. DiLavore, PhD,
Susan Risi, PhD, Katherine Gotham, PhD, and Somer L. Bishop, PhD

Toddler Module | by Catherine Lord, PhD, Rhiannon J. Luyster, PhD, Katherine Gotham, PhD, and
Whitney Guthrie, MS

From the world’s

leading autism experts,
the ADOS-2 is more
accurate, sensitive,
and specific.
“. . . the ‘gold standard’
for diagnosis of ASD.”
Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent
Psychology, 2005, Vol. 34, No. 3, in
reference to the ADOS and the ADI-R.

Western Psychological Services     800.648.8857     [Link]

At a Glance
Benefit
Allows you to accurately assess and
diagnose autism spectrum disorder
across age, developmental level, and
language skills

Ages
12 months to adult

Administration time
40 to 60 minutes

Format
Standardized behavior observation What’s new in the second edition
·
and coding
A Toddler Module for more accurate assessment of younger children
Publication year · Revised algorithms for excellent diagnostic validity
2012 · Comparison Score for easier interpretation of symptom levels

· Updated Manual and Protocol Booklets for all modules

Translation
Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch,
· Improved guidelines for administration, coding, and interpretation

Finnish, French, German, Hebrew, Italian,

Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, The ADOS-2 revision improves an instrument already viewed as the gold
Romanian, Russian, Spanish, and Swedish standard for observational assessment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
With updated protocols, revised algorithms, a new Comparison Score, and
Scores a Toddler Module, the ADOS-2 provides a highly accurate picture of current
Toddler Module provides ranges of symptoms, unaffected by language. It can be used to evaluate almost
concern reflecting the extent to which a anyone suspected of having ASD—from 1-year-olds with no speech to adults
child demonstrates behaviors associated who are verbally fluent.
with ASD. Modules 1 through 4 provide
cutoff scores for autism and autism Like its predecessor, the ADOS-2 is a semistructured, standardized
spectrum classifications. Modules 1 assessment of communication, social interaction, play, and restricted and
through 3 also provide a Comparison repetitive behaviors. By observing and coding these behaviors, you can
Score indicating the level of autism obtain information that informs diagnosis, intervention, treatment planning,
spectrum–related symptoms compared and educational placement.
to children with ASD who are the same
age and have similar language skills. Five Modules
The ADOS-2 includes five modules, each requiring just 40 to 60 minutes
Qualifications to administer. The individual being evaluated is given only one module,
Level C selected on the basis of his or her expressive language level and
chronological age.

Software Print · Toddler Module—for children

between 12 and 30 months of
· Module 2—for children of any age
who use phrase speech but are
age who do not consistently use not verbally fluent
ADOS-2 results are compatible with phrase speech
· Module 3—for verbally fluent
definitions of autism under DSM-5
· Module 1—for children 31 months children and young adolescents

·
and IDEA.
and older who do not consistently Module 4—for verbally fluent
use phrase speech older adolescents and adults
Each module engages the examinee in a series of activities who are the same age and have similar language skills. This
involving interactive stimulus materials (all included in the score also makes it easier to monitor an individual’s symptoms
ADOS-2 Kit). To illustrate, activities in Module 3 are listed over time.
below:
The Most Accurate Picture of
· Construction Task · Emotions
Current ASD Symptoms
· Make-Believe Play ·  ocial Difficulties and
S

· Joint Interactive Play Annoyance With improved algorithms, the ADOS-2 demonstrates strong

· Demonstration Task · Break

predictive validity. It gives you a highly accurate picture of

·
current ASD-related symptoms, based on real-time observations.
· Description of a Picture Friends, Relationships, Physicians, clinical psychologists, school psychologists, speech–

·  elling a Story From

T
a Book ·
and Marriage
Loneliness
language pathologists, occupational therapists, and other trained
professionals can use ADOS-2 results to inform diagnosis,

· Cartoons · Creating a Story intervention, educational placement, and treatment planning.

·
Because it can be used with a wide range of children and adults,
Conversation and the ADOS-2 is an essential addition to any hospital, clinic, or
Reporting school that serves individuals with developmental disorders.

Standardized Administration,
Coding, and Scoring ADOS-2 Author:
Each ADOS-2 module has its own Protocol Booklet, which
structures the administration and guides you through coding
Catherine Lord, PhD
and scoring. As you administer activities, you observe the
examinee and take notes. Immediately afterward, you code Principal author of the ADOS-2, Catherine Lord, PhD, is
the behaviors observed. Then you use the algorithm form for Director of the Center for Autism and the Developing
scoring. Brain at New York­–Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell
Medical College, and Columbia University Medical Center.
In Modules 1 through 4, algorithm scores are compared with Previously, she directed the University of Michigan
cutoff scores to yield one of three classifications: autism, Autism and Communication Disorders Center. Dr. Lord
autism spectrum, or non-spectrum. The difference between has chaired the Committee on the Effectiveness of
autism and autism spectrum classifications is one of severity, Early Intervention in Autism for the National Research
with the former indicating more pronounced symptoms. Council and served on the DSM-5 Neurodevelopmental
Disorders Committee.
In the Toddler Module, algorithms yield “ranges of concern”
rather than classification scores. These ranges help you Throughout her career, Dr. Lord
form clinical impressions, but they avoid formal classification, has worked to improve the way
which may not be appropriate at such a young age. The autism spectrum disorders are
Toddler Module quantifies risk for ASD and provides guidance diagnosed and treated. With the
if continued monitoring is needed. ADOS-2, she and her coauthors
bring greater accuracy to an
instrument already viewed as
Improved Protocol Booklets, Revised the best of its kind.
Algorithms, and a New Comparison Score
Administration and coding procedures for the ADOS-2 are
functionally identical to those for the ADOS. Modules 1
through 4 retain the same basic activities and codes, though
some codes have been expanded and several new codes
have been added. Protocol Booklets for these modules have
been significantly improved—they now provide clearer, more
explicit administration and coding instructions.

Algorithms for Modules 1 through 3 have been revised to

achieve more accurate and useful results and to provide a
more uniform basis for comparing results across the three
modules used with children and young adolescents.

A new Comparison Score for Modules 1 through 3 allows you Everything you need to assess and diagnose ASD fits
to look at a child’s overall level of autism spectrum–related inside a plastic container with wheels to increase portability.
symptoms in relation to those of children diagnosed with ASD Your ADOS-2 kit arrives in a 31" × 20" × 20" box weighing 55 pounds.