Assessment for Autism

A formal ASD diagnosis, or a medical diagnosis, helps you get the support your family needs, especially within the context of accessing medically necessary therapies and services. The Next Step Behavioral Health uses formal diagnostic tools to help accurately confirm a diagnosis of ASD for both children and adults.  

The diagnostic process includes a combination of clinical interviews and the use of the following standardized tools to test for autism specifically. 

Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule - Second Edition (ADOS-2)
The ADOS-2 is an assessment that evaluates social and communication skills and play skills in individuals who may have autism. One of the features of the ADOS is that it can be used for a large age range from toddlers to adults. It can also be used for individuals who do not have verbal communication or those who don’t speak vocally to individuals who do have more fluent vocal communication skills.

Autism Diagnosis Interview-Revised (ADI-R)
The ADI-R is an assessment tool for autism spectrum disorder that can be used for individuals from toddlers at about age 18 months old through adults. This assessment focuses on the main core symptoms of ASD including social interactions, communication skills, and restricted and repetitive behaviors.