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Original poster

ADOS

97 replies

BrightWater · 04/09/2022 00:16

Hello,

I am an adult who has been referred by NHS for an autism assessment with a company that uses ADOS. Please does any one have a website that covers what they will ask on ADOS? Or share your experiences of ADOS if that is not too much trouble?

OP posts:
Original poster
BrightWater · 08/09/2022 13:33

Thank you, everyone.
It's a private company that has been contracted by the NHS to help deal with their waiting lists. I have been told I have been prioritised because I am within 24 months postpartum and also an NHS employee. I shall see how the assessment goes but I am definitely keeping an open mind.

OP posts:
SnowyMouse · 08/09/2022 16:29

I'm glad you don't have too long a weight, I'll keep fingers crossed for you.

sidewayswalking · 10/09/2022 16:18

I wonder how well they can assess online? I know when I did my ADOS they were also looking intently at my body language. Shaking my legs etc

I didn't have an ADOS as I was diagnosed using ICD 10 but it was done by video and the assessor commented on my anxiety immediately, they are highly trained and don't miss much.

Original poster
BrightWater · 10/09/2022 20:23

That's good to know @sidewayswalking ,thank you. Not good that you were anxious, of course, but good that they can pick up on a lot digitally. I do feel like I am waiting for a big job interview or exam. How awful it must be for the many who have to wait for months and years.

OP posts:
Original poster
BrightWater · 14/09/2022 11:51

An update. My assessment was moved forward to yesterday; it was originally booked for Monday 19th so they rescheduled. I am grateful it has happened so quickly. I will find out the results during a de-brief call in 2 weeks when they have completed their reports.

The ADOS assessor was the same person who conducted the developmental questionnaire by phone last week, with an additional psychologist observing. Both were pleasant and personable.

An overview of some questions asked, to the best of my recollection:

  • The circumstances leading to my referral.
  • A review of some of the developmental questionnaire questions: school, friendships, work, hobbies, etc.
  • What do I find frustrating about other people & what do I think they might find frustrating about me. What makes me angry, happy, worried. What do these emotions feel like.
  • Why do I think people get married.
  • What are my hopes and plans for the future. What are my responsibilities now and how do I feel about them.
  • Showed me pages from a kids' story book that had no words & had to tell the story alongside the pictures (not the flying frogs one).
  • Tell a story with 5 small objects I'd brought with me.

It all took almost exactly one hour and was done via Teams.

I hope others find this useful.

OP posts:
Original poster
BrightWater · 14/09/2022 13:00

Rumination in overdrive. Not sure how I'll stand the next 2 weeks. I am already thinking of 1,000 things I didn't mention. I don't know what the results will be but I think I will be found to not be "on the spectrum" and will need to look elsewhere for the answers that have eluded me in life thus far.

OP posts:
SpudBotherer · 14/09/2022 13:53

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

SnowyMouse · 14/09/2022 14:42

Did you have the book about the boy asleep and dreaming? I thought I wouldn't be found autistic either, but I was.

Original poster
BrightWater · 14/09/2022 16:22

SnowyMouse · 14/09/2022 14:42

Did you have the book about the boy asleep and dreaming? I thought I wouldn't be found autistic either, but I was.

Yes, that's the one. I mainly described the pictures but I did put a few narrative interpretations in such as regarding a characters hair looking like something. I think they will probably say I have social anxiety and general anxiety, maybe advise an ADHD assessment. I don't know. I'm trying to stay open to all eventualities but I can't really. I know the result I want, sadly.

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SnowyMouse · 14/09/2022 16:27

Did they say how long it would be before you get the results?

SpudBotherer · 14/09/2022 16:59

SnowyMouse · 14/09/2022 16:27

Did they say how long it would be before you get the results?

They said they would schedule a feedback call with me for 2 weeks time to discuss results after they've discussed as a team and written their reports. They also sent me the CAT Q test by email which looks at camouflaging so I completed and sent that back today as well.

I feel deflated.

Original poster
BrightWater · 14/09/2022 17:01

Name change fail Hmm

@SnowyMouse *SnowyMouse · Today 16:27

Did they say how long it would be before you get the results?*

They said they would schedule a feedback call with me for 2 weeks time to discuss results after they've discussed as a team and written their reports. They also sent me the CAT Q test by email which looks at camouflaging so I completed and sent that back today as well.

I feel deflated.

OP posts:
SnowyMouse · 14/09/2022 17:03

Hugs, I often forget to namechange too. I hope you can make it til the phone call.

Original poster
BrightWater · 14/09/2022 18:32

Thanks ever so. How are you feeling now?

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sidewayswalking · 14/09/2022 18:39

I can't imagine having to wait like that. When I did my assessment I was told straight away, it wasn't the ADOS though, but it seems so hard. I hope they are in touch soon

SnowyMouse · 14/09/2022 18:47

I'm not sure still, it's a lot to come to terms with, plus I was sure I wasn't autistic....and I thought I'd done the story telling really well.

Original poster
BrightWater · 14/09/2022 19:38

SnowyMouse · 14/09/2022 18:47

I'm not sure still, it's a lot to come to terms with, plus I was sure I wasn't autistic....and I thought I'd done the story telling really well.

That's hard, I'm sorry. It's a big thing. I'm almost the opposite but it's still an arduous process whatever the ultimate results are. Life-changing either way, for me at least.

OP posts:
Original poster
BrightWater · 14/09/2022 19:39

sidewayswalking · 14/09/2022 18:39

I can't imagine having to wait like that. When I did my assessment I was told straight away, it wasn't the ADOS though, but it seems so hard. I hope they are in touch soon

Thank you. I had hoped I'd be told today or maybe tomorrow. Perhaps I'll be lucky again and hear sooner. We can dream!

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UpOnDown · 14/09/2022 20:01

You're right, life changing!

Raddix · 16/09/2022 12:56

www.scribd.com/document/402898783/edoc-site-ados-2-module-4-pdf

I found this online. Might be helpful for anyone who’s wondering what the assessor is actually looking for in the ADOS test.

SnowyMouse · 16/09/2022 13:20

I'd rather not know, so they got a true view of how I am

Original poster
BrightWater · 16/09/2022 13:34

Thanks for sharing. I don't want to give my payment details even for a free trial, but I'm sure it will be useful for others.

Feeling low about it today. This waiting is physically uncomfortable as well as stressful.

OP posts:
SnowyMouse · 16/09/2022 15:04

You're right, waiting is so hard, hugs.

Original poster
BrightWater · 16/09/2022 16:32

Thank you. I know that I am highly fortunate to have been effectively fast tracked for these assessments, by fluke of having a baby and working for a certain employer at the time of referral. My heart goes out to everyone facing waits of months and years while I complain about a fortnight. The system is a muddle and a mess.

OP posts:
Raddix · 16/09/2022 17:43

You don’t need to give any payment details or sign up for a trial. Just scroll and read it in the browser?