The ADOS-2
The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2) is a face-to-face assessment used to evaluate children for possible autism spectrum disorder (ASD). During the assessment, our trained teammates observe how your child communicates, plays, and interacts. Results can inform the autism diagnostic process. The ADOS-2 is offered at no-cost in select regions.
What is the ADOS-2?
The ADOS-2 is a standardized, play-based assessment and a trusted tool for helping evaluate for possible autism in children.
A gold standard
The ADOS-2 is considered a "gold standard" measure for evaluating children for ASD. It's backed by research and helps professionals reliably identify autism characteristics.
Play-based
Children have fun during the ADOS-2—it's nothing like a typical doctor's visit! During the 40- to 60-minute assessment, our teammates engage your child in activities tailored to their age and developmental level.
Scoring
After the assessment, scores are calculated to show how closely your child's behaviors in key areas match autism characteristics. A summary is sent to your child's pediatrician or referring provider to support their diagnostic process.
What does the ADOS-2 measure?
The ADOS-2 looks at areas of a child's development often linked to autism. During the evaluation, a trained clinician observes how your child communicates, plays, and interacts.
Some of the main areas the ADOS-2 measures include:
- Social communication: Making eye contact, using gestures, or sharing enjoyment with others
- Play & imagination: How your child uses toys and whether they engage in pretend play
- Language use: How your child talks and responds in social situations
- Repetitive behaviors or strong interests: Repeated movements or intense focus on specific topics.
Behaviors most closely associated with autism are scored to show how your child's responses compare to common autism characteristics.
ADOS-2 modules explained
The ADOS-2 includes five modules, each matched to a child's age and language abilities.
- Toddler Module: For children 12 to 30 months old
- Module 1: For children who do not yet speak in phrases
- Module 2: For children who speak in phrases but are not yet verbally fluent
- Module 3: For verbally fluent children
- Module 4: For verbally fluent adolescents and adults
At Action Behavior Centers, we use the Toddler Module and Modules 1–3 to assess children ages 18 months through 6 years old. Our clinicians select the right module based on your child's communication skills and developmental stage.
Understanding the ADOS-2 results
Once the ADOS-2 is complete, our clinician scores the assessment using a standardized system. Behaviors most associated with autism are totaled, and the results show how closely your child's responses compare to those of other autistic children. The ADOS-2 is one piece of the bigger picture. Parent-reported concerns and developmental history are also important parts of the evaluation process.
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 required before your child can begin to access certain developmental therapies or services through their school, like ABA 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 ABA 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.
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!
