Does anyone know about the ADOS?
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| Sun, 02-05-2006 - 4:16pm |
Hi everyone,
On Friday, we took Rachel to a well-known diagnostic clinic in the city. The doctor who evaluated her said that it appears Rachel may have some neurological damage (not birth related). She did a bunch of tests (i.e While Rachel's eyes were closed, the doctor touched Rachel's thigh or cheek and had her say which part she was stroking). She also said that Rachel should be given a test called the ADOS (Autistic Diagnostic Observation Scale-I think). She said it would take almost an entire day and require two clinicians to administer. Does anyone know about this test? Has anyone's child ever had it done on them? What does it entail? What exactly are they looking for? What can it rule out or in? I looked the test up online but the description was very vague and not very specific. Any info. would be greatly appreciated.
TIA!
Robin

Robin,
Chase had this test admininistered to him Jan. 2005. I didn't get to sit in on the test but the psych. told me that basically they try to engage the child in different tasks, mostly playing in Chase's case, and then evaluate their interaction levels, eye contact, reciprocal interaction and ability to change from one task to another. It's difficult to find info about this test and to be honest I thinks it's because it is a very subjective test. Chase was dx with AS. Hope this helps. Vicky
I agree that the test is very subjective. It was given to Mike by a psychologist through a state program where we were trying to have him qualified for services. Though Mike displayed definite ASD symtpoms (and noted) he said he only displayed ADHD behavior. That is complete malarky as anyone who knows Mike will tell you.
However, if given by a good neutral party I think it would likely give lots of good information as far as strengths and needs.
The problem with ASD's is that it is very symptom based and subjective by nature in diagonisng. The ADOS is an attempt at trying to diagnose ASD's by standardized testing but like all standardized tests, it has it's limitations.
Renee
OK, here's a question for you all, then. When Sylvia was dx'd, she was NOT given the ADOS... although she was supposed to. We were originally supposed to see a particular developmental ped, one who specializes in dx-ing ASD kids. But the office double-booked the appointment, and they called us and told us they could get us in a month sooner than expected, if we were willing to see a different doc. At the time we didn't know one doc from another, so we said yes. But as I've since learned, the doc we saw specializes in kids with physical developmental problems (spina bifida, etc.) and he gave us kind of a rushed, half-a--ed dx. He only saw us for 45 minutes, gave Sylvia a physical examination but didn't really interact with her at all (he asked her two questions and seemed satisfied that she was able to answer him), and basically used the info we'd provided from her assessment with the school district to come up with a diagnosis of PDD-NOS.
So here's my question: We're happy to have the dx -- we were fully expecting that dx, and agree with it -- and it seems as though Sylvia is getting appropriate services now. But we can't help but feel a bit gypped! I have to actually call up and ask for a follow-up appointment (with a DIFFERENT doctor, of course!) but I'm wondering if, at this point, I should ask for the ADOS, or if it doesn't really matter given that she's getting the services she needs? On the one hand, I'd like to have a really full profile of her specific strengths and weaknesses... but on the other hand, I feel like I do have a good handle on her strengths and weaknesses and I'm not sure I want to put her through ANOTHER, fairly intense, test... she's been through so much already!
What do you guys think?
Jennifer
Cait has never had the ADOS. Mike only had it because of the Regional Center way after his diagnosis. And the one given by the regional center wasn't accurate.
If you feel that her current diagnosis and assessments are accurate and testing is tough, I wouldn't make her go through it. Basically the rule of thumb I use is 1) what new information will the new testing give you and 2) will that information help make her a better treatment plan.
HTH
Renee