Autism Assessment
An Autism Assessment evaluates an individual's cognitive skills, adaptive behaviour, and the common areas of difficulties associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This includes the individual’s competencies in the areas of communication and social interactions, and the presence of restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests or activities.
The ADOS-2, or Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule – Second Edition (WPS, 2012), is a standardised, semi-structured assessment of communication, social interaction and play for individuals who may have autism. The ADOS-2 assessment consists of standardised activities that allow the psychologist to observe behaviours identified as important in individuals with ASD.
Structured activities and materials provide standard contexts in which social interactions, communication and other behaviours relevant to pervasive developmental disorders are likely to appear.
- Placement in autism-specific schools
- Establishing a baseline for intervention (e.g. repeating the ADOS-2 test after intervention can show improvement along the spectrum)
- Ruling out or confirming an ASD diagnosis for suspected cases of Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder
