Blog Introduction: If you are a parent of a child on the autism spectrum, it is important to understand the assessment process and the tools used to diagnose children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This blog post will provide an overview of the various assessment tools used by clinicians in making an ASD diagnosis.
The first step in the assessment process is gathering information from parents, teachers, and therapists. This can include observations about the child’s behaviour or development. as well as the use of screening tools previously discussed in the last blog.
Standardized testing can take the form of questionnaires such as the SRS-2 and ASRS scales which are commonly used in Australia. These are designed to measure social functioning and communication skills in children.
The ADOS-2 is a play-based assessment that is completed with the child in one-on-one sessions. It assesses behaviour related to communication and social reciprocity, including nonverbal communication, the use of language for different functions, and repetitive behaviours.
The ADI-R is another tool used for diagnosis; this is an interview completed with a parent or guardian which asks questions about early development milestones, language/communication abilities, social interaction skills and repetitive behaviours. Together, these two assessments are considered to be the gold standard for diagnosing ASD in individuals. It is important to note their weaknesses though, particularly in milder cases and girls.
A newer assessment tool called the MIGDAS-2 (Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosis Autism Spectrum). It involves gathering information from parents and teachers, as well as a sensory-based interview with the child. The team at Paeds in a Pod will be offering this assessment in the near future.
Conclusion: Assessment for ASD involves gathering information from multiple sources including parents, teachers and therapists as well as using standardized questionnaires and play-based assessments like ADOS-2 & ADI-R interviews. All of this data needs to be taken into account before making a final diagnosis, but when done correctly it helps ensure that children on the autism spectrum receive appropriate intervention plans tailored specifically to their needs.
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