ADOS

[Biscuitsgalore18]

Hello,
My 12 year old DD has the ADOS assessment yesterday for autism. I wasn't in the room.
She tells me it went well and she doesn't think she will get a diagnosis. She said she answered all the questions and joined in with the activities although some of them were awkward, such as playing with dolls. She said, she was asked to tell a story with the dolls and when she didn't the lady gave her an idea which they then roll played together.
She was asked about marriage, said she didn't want to ever get married but understands people want to because they love each other and don't want to be lonely.

She did a puzzle and was told to ask when she needed more pieces, she said she whispered in asking - but she did ask for more pieces.

She said she was playing with her hands throughout but underneath the table and the lady wouldn't have been able to see.

Oh and she said when the lady was talking about her cat, she asked her a question - the only question she asked throughout the appointment. But I assume the point of that particular bit was to see if she would ask a question.

Only feedback I had afterwards was that her answers were quick and she didn't go into any depth. But that's her all over, unless it's a conversation she has initiated.

Such a stressful process getting to the point of having the ADOS. Feeling like she won't get a diagnosis, from what she has said.

What are they looking for with the ADOS?

Thank you

My Ds has his ADOS when he was 9. Like your DD, he quite enjoyed it (it's obviously designed to put children at their ease). He came out telling me he had 'fun playing with the nice ladies.'

We got his diagnosis on the day but a few months later a detailed report came through. I couldn't believe how much they had picked up during the session in terms of his social communication difficulties and how his answers during the ADOS were so different from what they would see with a neurotypical child.

The people who carry out the ADOS are incredibly well-trained and experienced. I know it's difficult but I wouldn't read too much into what your DD says in terms of how she thought it went. Have they told you when/how they will be contacting you with the results?

I do the ADOS bit of the autism assessment. Try not to worry the types of things we are looking for aren’t “fakable” we know that lots of children mask but things like poorly modulated eye contact are quite obvious nonetheless…..

In my son's it was clear they were looking to see how literally he took things, also they got him to act out cleaning his teeth and the lady suggested putting his toothbrush in a pot (or something like that) and he said no because that's not what he did at home - which I assume would demonstrate rigid thinking.

So it maybe that she was happily able to answer all the questions (none are difficult or complicated) but they're designed to pick up on these sorts of things that dd would be unaware of.

Hi, thank you for your messages. Waiting on the full report abut has a phone call to say she meets criteria for autism level 1.