ADOS Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule - Second Edition.

 

The ADOS2 is a semi-structured, standardised assessment of communication, social interaction, and play or imaginative use of materials for individuals who have been referred because of possible autism or an autistic spectrum disorders. Use of the instrument requires training. Professionals who work clinically with autism spectrum disorders, or those who are involved in research with autism spectrum disorders, can train to use the instrument.

 

Spectrum can provide 5 day training courses to ‘reliability’ level on the ADOS2. These can be run either as a 5 day block, or as two sessions, one of 2 days and a second of 3 days at a later date. The reliability level allows trainees to, on completion of the course and submission and passing of post-course work, to either use the ADOS2 in research or to train those who work on site in their clinical or research teams to use the instrument.

 

Spectrum can also provide 2 day clinical-only training on the ADOS2. This is open to those who work clinically in diagnosis of autism spectrum conditions, or within multi-disciplinary assessment services for autism spectrum. The course assumes an pre-existing basic knowledge of the autism spectrum and is NOT suitable as a general introduction to the autism spectrum. The course mirrors the USA 2-day clinical workshops and is approved by WPS the USA-based publishing company. It provides an introduction to administration and coding of all modules of the ADOS2, sufficient to allow clinicians to then use the instrument in their clinical practice. The course includes precourse and postcourse work which must also be completed.  

 

The 5 day reliability courses are also open to clinicians who wish to develop a more thorough understanding of the instrument than they may obtain from the training DVDs (available from Hogrefe, Pearson or WPS) or from the 2 day clinical introduction.

 

The focus of our courses is on understanding of the coding concepts, appreciation of the limitations and advantages of the instrument, opportunity to thoroughly discuss how to apply and interpret the instrument in different situations, and across ages and clinical groups. We include discussions on differential diagnosis, and can target training to meet the needs of those seeking the course – e.g., adult services, services for learning disability, CDC and under 5’s, etc.

 

5 day training courses include hands-on practice with volunteer children, adolescents or adults with existing diagnoses, video codings, and role-play sessions. 2 day clinical courses include DVD codings and trainer-led practical demonstrations of activities.

 

For International delegates whose first language is not English please be advised to check with WPS that an official translation exists for clinical and/or research use prior to undertaking training as ad-hoc translation is not permitted.