Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorders in Adults: the Use of Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) Module 4

Abstract

Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) module 4 was investigated in an independent sample of high-functioning adult males with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared to three specific diagnostic groups: schizophrenia, psychopathy, and typical development. ADOS module 4 proves to be a reliable instrument with good predictive value. It can adequately discriminate ASD from psychopathy and typical development, but is less specific with respect to schizophrenia due to behavioral overlap between autistic and negative symptoms. However, these groups differ on some core items and explorative analyses indicate that a revision of the algorithm in line with Gotham et al. (J Autism Dev Disord 37: 613–627, 2007) could be beneficial for discriminating ASD from schizophrenia.

In the Eye of the Beholder: Rapid Visual Perception of Real-Life Scenes by Young Adults with and Without ASD

“…These participants were previously diagnosed by a psychiatrist or multidisciplinary team, according to DSM-IV-TR criteria (American Psychiatric Association 2000), with a pervasive developmental disorder (Autism Disorder, Asperger's syndrome or PPD-NOS). Moreover, the ADOS taken by an ADOS-accredited psychologist revealed that 20 of the 24 people scored above the ADOS autism spectrum cut-off, which was in line with the reported sensitivity of the ADOS in a group of adults with normal intelligence (Bastiaansen et al 2011). Since the analyses did not differ depending on whether we in-or excluded the participants scoring below the ADOS cut-off score, we report the results of the full ASD group.…”

Social Interaction Style of Children and Adolescents with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…Hence, our findings might not fully generalize to children and adolescents with more severe forms of ASD. Earlier studies have already shown a relatively poor sensitivity of the ADOS (ranging from .49 to .80) in classifying individuals with PDD-NOS (Bastiaansen et al 2010;Gotham et al 2008). However, it should also be noted that in the current study the distribution of clinical diagnoses (autism, syndrome of Asperger, PDD-NOS) was not significantly different for participants scoring above or below the ADOS cutoff for an ASD.…”

“…Despite the extensive diagnostic procedures, only thirtyseven percent of the participants (n = 57) received a total score on the ADOS at or above the cutoff point for ASD (C7). Earlier studies have already shown a relatively poor sensitivity of the ADOS (ranging from .49 to .80) in classifying individuals with PDD-NOS (Bastiaansen et al 2010;Gotham et al 2008). Therefore, all statistical analyses were repeated to check whether results differed between individuals scoring below or at/above the ADOS cutoff point.…”

Autism traits in the RASopathies

“…56 We used two modules of the ADOS Second Edition adapted to verbal fluency in children (module 3) and adolescents or adults (module 4). The ADOS has been shown to give reliable autism diagnoses in mixed samples with ASDs, other psychopathologies, intellectual disability and typical development, 57–60 with a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 65% when distinguishing autism from non-autism and a sensitivity of 87% and specificity of 47% when distinguishing an ASD from non-autism. 58 ADOS ranks items in domains of social behaviour, communication and restricted or stereotyped interests on a scale from 0 (not abnormal) to 2 (abnormal) or 3 (severely abnormal).…”