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What to Expect During the ADOS Assessment

During an ADOS assessment, a trained clinician, such as a therapist, physician, nurse practitioner, or psychologist, will engage the individual in a series of social interactions and activities that are carefully designed to simulate real-life situations and elicit behaviors relevant to autism diagnosis.  These activities may involve playing with toys, engaging in conversations, and following instructions. The clinician then carefully observes the person’s responses, non-verbal cues, use of language, and overall social engagement.

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What is the ADOS?

Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule

This standardized assessment has been designed to evaluate social communication, interaction, and repetitive behaviors that are often present in autism. It involves observing and interacting with a person to gather valuable insights into their behavior and communication patterns.

We offer unique and cohesive treatment plans, leading to significantly greater improvement in Vineland-3 scores compared with other programs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The ADOS is considered the gold standard of autism assessment tools and is one of the most accurate tests available to identify autism.

Yes! We also offer the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), the Vineland-3, and the Autism Diagnostic Interview Revised (ADI-R).

We’re in-network with some of the largest health insurance companies, including Aetna, Blue Shield, Cigna, United Healthcare and more. In-network coverage may vary based on your home state, plan type, and the services your child receives at Cortica. Please reach out to us for more information about specific health insurance plans and covered services.

The ADOS is likely the right assessment for your child if you are concerned about potential autism spectrum disorder. However, it is often recommended not to rely on the ADOS alone to understand your child’s developmental needs. Other assessment tools can paint a more comprehensive picture of your child’s developmental history, cognitive abilities, and more. Cortica offers several other diagnostic assessments to help gather insights and provide the most accurate clinical diagnosis.

Yes, many insurance companies require an official diagnosis to recommend and cover therapies and services for autism, such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).